MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Madison wants the federal government to provide funding for its new stem cell research technique.

The university's stem cell research arm has asked the National Institutes of Health to give it money to create cell lines using the technique.

The technique involves reprogramming skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. It has been hailed as a breakthrough because it does not involve the destruction of embryos.

The National Stem Cell Bank in Madison would create the lines and distribute them to researchers.

Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, said that NIH officials seem enthusiastic about funding the research and talks continue.