Monthly Archives: February 2012

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Animal Cell Therapies (ACT), a company specializing in veterinary diagnostics and cell-based therapies, today announced that its stem cell inventory is valued at more than $6 million. The evaluation, conducted by Cheetahlink and Capital Consulting Services, demonstrates the importance of this first step in the company’s mission to improve and extend the lives of dogs through innovative stem cell products and services. When Animal Cell Therapies was created, the company partnered with a select group of researchers, scientists and collaborators from the U.S. and abroad to create an in-house program to grow and expand well-characterized animal stem cells in a scientific setting. The company’s founder, Dr. Kathryn Petrucci, recognized that in order to provide pure, potent, reliable, pathogen-free animal stem cells, ACT must optimize stem cell storage while improving stem cell transportation procedures and delivery techniques. “This valuation essentially validates that the foundation we’ve set for this company – in the creation and maintaining of this stem cell inventory – is sound and will support the next steps in our strategy,” said Adam Irving, chief executive officer of Animal Cell Therapies. “Our capabilities are far reaching with broad applications.” In maintaining its stem cell inventory, Animal Cell … Continue reading →

University of Queensland scientists have developed a world-first method for producing adult stem cells that will substantially impact patients who have a range of serious diseases. The research is a collaborative effort involving UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and is led by UQ Clinical Research Centre's (UQCCR) Professor Nicholas Fisk. It revealed a new method to create mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can be used to repair bone and potentially other organs. ?We used a small molecule to induce embryonic stem cells over a 10 day period, which is much faster than other studies reported in the literature,? Professor Fisk said. ?The technique also worked on their less contentious counterparts, induced pluripotent stem cells. ?To make the pluripotent mature stem cells useful in the clinic, they have to be told what type of cell they need to become (pre-differentiated), before being administered to an injured organ, or otherwise they could form tumours. ?Because only small numbers of MSCs exist in the bone marrow and harvesting bone marrow from a healthy donor is an invasive procedure, the ability to make our own MSCs in large number in the laboratory is an exciting step in the future widespread clinical … Continue reading →

The research is a collaborative effort involving UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and is led by UQ Clinical Research Centre's (UQCCR) Professor Nicholas Fisk. It revealed a new method to create mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can be used to repair bone and potentially other organs. “We used a small molecule to induce embryonic stem cells over a 10 day period, which is much faster than other studies reported in the literature,” Professor Fisk said. “The technique also worked on their less contentious counterparts, induced pluripotent stem cells. “To make the pluripotent mature stem cells useful in the clinic, they have to be told what type of cell they need to become (pre-differentiated), before being administered to an injured organ, or otherwise they could form tumours. “Because only small numbers of MSCs exist in the bone marrow and harvesting bone marrow from a healthy donor is an invasive procedure, the ability to make our own MSCs in large number in the laboratory is an exciting step in the future widespread clinical use of MSCs. “We were able to show these new forms of stem cells exhibited all the characteristics of bone marrow stem cells and we are … Continue reading →

PIEDMONT, Okla. -- Stem cell research is one of the newest and most exciting areas of study. Experts believe these tiny unwritten cells hold the keys to curing a number of diseases and debilitating injuries. But here in the U.S., stem cell research isn't moving fast enough for a growing number of families. This is the story of an Oklahoma family that traveled to China for cutting-edge stem cell treatment not offered in the US. Cora Beth Taylor walks a different road than most will ever travel. Her journey is filled with obstacles, heartbreak and triumph. Cora, William and Tate Taylor are triplets born premature. The brothers have never shown any signs of prematurity. But Cora, at about a year old, started falling behind developmentally. By 18 months she had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Cora has never had any cognitive delays. She's a super-smart little gal but her muscles haven't developed properly. It's devastating; they just won't cooperate. Cora's parents, Kevin and Beth Taylor, have tried everything for their little girl; that is, everything available in the U.S. Last year, Piedmont Schools raised the money to help the Taylors take Cora to China for treatment, close to $50,000. Research … Continue reading →