Monthly Archives: March 2012

(03-15) 09:13 PDT STANFORD -- A team of Stanford researchers unveiled today the most detailed biological profile of a human being done so far: a peek at one man's genetic foundation, along with snapshots, taken dozens of times over the course of a year, of the millions of proteins and other molecules that are in constant flux in his body. In a stroke of shocking good luck - for the scientists, if not necessarily the patient - the profile subject developed Type 2 diabetes during the study, allowing researchers to follow in real-time the molecular changes that take place as the illness progresses. It also allowed the subject, Stanford geneticist Michael Snyder, to catch his diabetes early and stop it, most likely months or even years before he would have been diagnosed without the genetic profiling. "This is the first time someone's actually analyzed the genome of a healthy person, predicted disease risk, and then by following him, actually saw a disease develop," said Snyder, who in addition to being the subject of the study was also the senior author. Snyder's profile and an analysis of the results will be published Friday in the journal Cell. Snyder, chairman of the … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Mar. 15, 2012) A collaborative discovery involving Kansas State University researchers may improve animal health and save the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars each year. Raymond "Bob" Rowland, a virologist and professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, was part of the collaborative effort that discovered a genetic marker that identifies pigs with reduced susceptibility to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, or PRRS. This virus costs the U.S. pork industry more than $600 million each year. "This discovery is what you call a first-first," Rowland said. "This discovery is the first of its kind for PRRS but also for any large food animal infectious disease. I have worked in the field for 20 years and this is one of the biggest advances I have seen." Rowland and researchers Jack Dekkers from Iowa State University and Joan Lunney from the Agricultural Research Service discovered a genetic marker called a quantitative trait locus, or QTL, which is associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus susceptibility. This discovery is a first step in controlling and eliminating the virus. The research recently appeared in the Journal of Animal Science. The project's beginning and future center around Kansas State University, Rowland said. It … Continue reading →

SUNRISE, Fla., March 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced today that it has successfully conducted a laboratory training course in partnership with the Ageless Regenerative Institute, an organization dedicated to the standardization of cell regenerative medicine. The attendees participated in hands on, in depth training in laboratory practices in stem cell science. "We had students from all over the world attend this first course including physicians, laboratory technicians and students," said Mike Tomas, Bioheart's President and CEO. "Bioheart is pleased to be able to share our 13 years of experience in stem cell research and help expand this growing life science field." The course included cell culture techniques and quality control testing such as flow cytometry and gram stain. In addition, participants learned how to work in a cleanroom operating according to FDA cGMP standards, regulations used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, food and medical devices. Aseptic techniques were also taught as well as cleanroom gowning, environmental monitoring and maintenance. Future courses are open to physicians, laboratory technicians and students. After graduating the course, attendees are prepared to pursue research and careers in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. For more information about the course, … Continue reading →

OTTAWA A team of Canadian researchers has been awarded $442,000 to test the world's first experimental stem-cell therapy aimed at patients who suffer from septic shock, a runaway infection of the bloodstream that's notoriously difficult to treat. The federal grant will allow researchers from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to use mesenchymal stem cells, found in the bone marrow of healthy adults, to treat as many as 15 patients with septic shock. The deadly infection occurs when toxic bacteria spreads rapidly throughout the body and over-activates the immune system, leading to multiple organ failure and death in up to 40 per cent of cases. One in five patients admitted to intensive-care units suffers from septic shock, making it the most common illness among a hospital's sickest of the sick. Existing treatments focus on early diagnosis and intervention before organs start to fail. Patients with septic shock require aggressive resuscitation measures, large doses of intravenous antibiotics and, often, ventilators to help them breathe. Yet because the infection can creep up on patients rapidly and cause unpredictable complications, death from septic shock remains relatively common. The experimental therapy aims to use donor stem cells, grown and purified at the Ottawa laboratory, to … Continue reading →

OTTAWA A team of Ottawa researchers has been awarded $442,000 to test the worlds first experimental stem-cell therapy aimed at patients who suffer from septic shock, a runaway infection of the bloodstream thats notoriously difficult to treat. The federal grant will allow researchers from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to use mesenchymal stem cells, found in the bone marrow of healthy adults, to treat as many as 15 patients with septic shock. The deadly infection occurs when toxic bacteria spreads rapidly throughout the body and over-activates the immune system, leading to multiple organ failure and death in up to 40 per cent of cases. One in five patients admitted to intensive-care units suffers from septic shock, making it the most common illness among a hospitals sickest of the sick. Existing treatments focus on early diagnosis and intervention before organs start to fail. Patients with septic shock require aggressive resuscitation measures, large doses of intravenous antibiotics and, often, ventilators to help them breathe. Yet because the infection can creep up on patients rapidly and cause unpredictable complications, death from septic shock remains relatively common. The experimental therapy aims to use donor stem cells, grown and purified at the Ottawa laboratory, to … Continue reading →

Lecture explores nanomedicine's potential to treat cancer Papyrus writings from 1600 BC describe cancer and attempts at its treatment. Today, centuries later, cancer remains a devastating disease. Given the long history of difficulties in developing cancer therapies, why is there excitement about nanoparticle medicine, or nanomedicines, for fighting cancer? Fighting Cancer with Nanoparticle Medicines: The Nanoscale Matters! is the topic of UW Department of Bioengineerings annual Rushmer Lecture, Friday, March 23, 4:15 p.m. in the Physics/Astronomy Auditorium. Mark Davis, professor of chemical engineering at the California Institute of Technology, will present the current understanding of why these engineered, nanosized medicines highly multifunctional chemical systems may hold the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. Davis lab has taken two nanoparticle cancer therapies from mere laboratory curiosities to experimental therapeutics in human clinical trials. His presentation is the 24th annual Robert F. Rushmer Lecture. A reception will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the north lobby of the Foege Building. UW business-diversity efforts recognzied The UW was named Public Agency of the Year by the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council, an organization dedicated to expanding business opportunities for minority business enterprises. The UW also received this award in 2008. It was based upon the … Continue reading →