Scientists from Stanford and UC-Berkeley will collaborate in a new stem cell initiative that has the potential to reverse the effects of diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, among other human diseases.

The Siebel Stem Cell Institute will bring together the two California universities’ top scientists from the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering and computer science. Research will be conducted by both the Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute and the Berkeley Stem Cell Center, and plans are in place at each facility to make space for the other school’s researchers.

The institute is funded by a $9 million gift from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. An additional $1.5 million and an equal match from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will establish at Berkeley the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Distinguished Chair in Stem Cell Research, allowing the school to conduct additional research in areas related to stem cell research.

The Stanford component of the institute will be run by Irving Weissman, director of the Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute.