MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin researchers and Gov. Jim Doyle applauded the U.S. Senate on Tuesday for passing a bill that lifts federal restrictions on stem-cell research. Both Wisconsin senators voted for the bill.

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Doyle said that the Senate's 63-37 vote to ease President George W. Bush's 2001 directive limiting federal funding to cell lines already in existence shows that the country is committed to unlocking the potential of the science.

UW researchers said that the president's policy has severely limited funding for studies and in some cases required them to do work using private money.

UW researcher Jamie Thomson first isolated embryonic stem cells in 1998. The university controls five of the cell lines available for federal funding and about 80 UW scientists are conducting stem cell studies on campus.

Both U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold reminded the Senate of the UW's role in stem cell research, WISC-TV reported.

"Researchers at the university have been able to coax embryonic stem cells to develop into mature blood cells, which could provide treatments and cures for people with a range of currently incurable diseases," Feingold said.

Bush is expected to veto the bill as early as Wednesday, leaving his restrictions in place.