Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Despite some ethical concerns, most patients are now broadly endorsing stem cell research. In the case of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are stem cells made from skin or other tissues, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University found patients were largely in favour of participating in iPSC research even if personal benefit was unlikely. The patients, however, raised concerns about consent, privacy and transparency. "Bioethicists as well as stem cell researchers and policy-makers have discussed ethical issues at length but till date, we didn't have any systematic information about what patients think about these issues," said Jeremy Sugarman, the Harvey M. Meyerhoff professor of bioethics and medicine at Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Unlike human embryonic stem cells, iPSCs are derived without destroying a human embryo. Research with human iPSCs is valuable for developing new drugs, studying disease, and perhaps developing medical treatments, said the study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. According to the study, consent was highly important for patients. Some patients even suggested that proper informed consent could compensate for other concerns they had about privacy, the "immortalisation" of cells and the commercialisation of stem cells. There was a "strong desire among participants to … Continue reading →

Stanford has received a vast sum of money to study a tiny population of deadly cancer cells, a gift that could help combat the heartbreak of phoenixlike disease recurrence. The $90 million from the New York City-based Ludwig Fund will boost research at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford's School of Medicine, where scientists are studying cancer stem cells for ways to tear out the roots of tumors. Stanford is one of six institutions to share in Ludwig's $540 million contribution to the field of cancer research, announced Monday. Endowed by the late billionaire Daniel K. Ludwig, a self-made American shipping and real estate magnate who died in 1992, the fund supports cancer research that might be otherwise dependent on the whims of government or corporate support. "This extraordinary gift will spur innovation well into the future," said Stanford president John Hennessy, calling it "a tremendous vote of confidence." Billions of dollars have been spent on cancer research since President Richard M. Nixon declared war on the disease in 1971. Yet the fight is going slower than most had hoped, with small changes in the death rate over the decades since. Part of the … Continue reading →

After Susan Derse Phillips had chemotherapy for leukemia, she received a stem cell transplant, getting blood-forming cells from a donor to restore her immune system and attack any remaining leukemia cells. The procedure apparently cured her leukemia, a type of blood cancer. But her skin turned red, her mouth and eyes became dry and she developed diarrhea, fatigue, bronchitis and pneumonia. She had graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD, a life-threatening complication of the transplant. Her donors cells the graft werent attacking just her leukemia. They were attacking her skin, her gut, her lungs and other organs essentially, her body, the host. It got pretty scary pretty quickly, said Phillips, 66, of Madison, who continues to struggle with the condition two years after the transplant. More than half of patients who get donor stem cell transplants develop GVHD, and at least 20 percent of them die from it, said Dr. Mark Juckett, a hematologist at UW Health. But the complication, which likely is under-reported, receives relatively little attention. Phillips, former president and CEO of Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, set out to change that in Wisconsin. With $500,000 from two donors as seed money, she persuaded UW Health to launch a program to … Continue reading →

From the outside it is just another building but inside a brick barn on the Shropshire border is one of only two laboratories in the world undertaking pioneering animal stem cell research. Scientists at the Veterinary Tissue Bank at Bryn Kinalt, near Chirk, have started carrying out the work in recent months alongside the tissue growth research which they have been doing since the centre opened about four years ago. Three animals have been helped out in recent months due to stem cell research on live animals, which is being carried out to help pets suffering with conditions such as arthritis. Vets Peter Myint and John Innes, who set up the tissue bank, have appealed for pet owners to agree to allow their animals to be donors when they die to help other creatures still alive. They have claimed that a donation of tissue cells from one animal could help up to 50 others. Under the scheme pet owners are given a tissue donor card for their pet cats or dogs much like the organ donor cards that millions of people choose to carry with themselves. Inside the lab there is not an animal in sight. Samples of tissue are … Continue reading →

COMPARE CORD BLOOD BANKS Choosing the right stem cell bank for your family is rarely a quick decision. But when you review the facts, you may find it much easier than you expected. Keep Reading > 1. The collection of cord blood can only take place at the time of delivery, and advanced arrangements must be made. Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord immediately after a babys birth, but generally before the placenta has been delivered. The moment of delivery is the only opportunity to harvest a newborns stem cells. 2. There is no risk and no pain for the mother or the baby. The cord blood is taken from the cord once it has been clamped and cut. Collection is safe for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. 3. The body often accepts cord blood stem cells better than those from bone marrow. Cord blood stem cells have a high rate of engraftment, are more tolerant of HLA mismatches, result in a reduced rate of graft-versus-host disease, and are rarely contaminated with latent viruses. 4. Banked cord blood is readily accessible, and there when you need it. Matched stem cells, which are necessary for transplant, are difficult to … Continue reading →

Jan. 2, 2014 In an early indication of lay opinions on research with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are stem cells made from skin or other tissues, a new study by bioethicists at Johns Hopkins University indicates that despite some ethical concerns, patients give the research "broad endorsement." During focus group discussions patients were largely in favor of participating in iPSC research even if personal benefit was unlikely, though they raised concerns about consent, privacy and transparency when considering donating tissue for this research. The bioethicists report their findings in the journal Cell Stem Cell. "Bioethicists, as well as stem cell researchers and policy-makers, have discussed the ethical issues of induced pluripotent stem cells at length, but we didn't have any systematic information about what patients think about these issues, and that is a huge part of the equation if the potential of this research is to be fully realized,"says Jeremy Sugarman, the senior author of the report and the Harvey M. Meyerhoff Professor of Bioethics and Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Unlike human embryonic stem cells, iPSCs are derived without destroying a human embryo. Research with human iPSCs is valuable for developing new drugs, … Continue reading →

Current ratings for: Stem cell transplantation: new approach 'protects from rejection' Public / Patient: 0 (0 votes) Health Professionals: 0 (0 votes) Many patients who undergo stem cell transplantations run the risk that their immune system may reject the donor cells. But new research from the University of California-San Diego has detailed a new approach that may help tackle this problem. This is according to a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. The research team, led by Yang Xu, says their findings may also provide researchers with a better understanding as to how tumors avert the immune system as they spread throughout the human body. In collaboration with researchers from China, the investigators created "humanized" laboratory mice. The mice had a functional human immune system that was able to effectively reject a large number of foreign cells that originated from human embryonic stem cells. The researchers explain that since human embryonic stem cells are "allogenic," meaning they differ from the body's own cells, a healthy human immune system will naturally attack the stem cells. Go here to see the original: Stem cell transplantation: new approach 'protects from rejection' … Continue reading →

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) January 03, 2014 Follow us on LinkedIn Single Cell Omics, a cutting edge technology, mainly integrates advanced technology with biology for a variety of single cell applications. Single Cell Omics, a strong diagnostic and clinical research tool, enables researchers in comprehending cellular variations during cell proliferation; investigating cycle-dependent effects in single cells; and detecting cellular subpopulations as well as differentiation states. Developments targeted at improving sensitivity and throughput of single cell omics technologies are additionally expected to benefit the market. The trend report titled Single Cell Omics announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., is a focused research paper which provides cursory insights into the technology, its evolution, applications, and future prospects. In addition to providing coverage on corporate initiatives of key companies worldwide, the report also offers global market estimates and projections for Single Cell Omics technology and products in US dollars for years 2012 through 2017. Key geographic market quantitatively analysed include the Unites States, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Japan. Also covered are companies such as BD Biosciences, BioNano Genomics Inc., DVS Sciences Inc., Fluidigm Corp., and Life Technologies Corp., among others. For more details about this trend report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/TrendReport.asp?code=146035. About Global Industry … Continue reading →

Spotlight on Amyloidosis and Stem Cell Research: Robert Vescio MD - Cedars-Sinai Dr. Robert Vescio spoke to governing board of California's Stem Cell Agency to promote awareness about amyloidosis, a rare, often fatal disease caused by the... By: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine … Continue reading →

Michael York: Amyloidosis and Stem Cell Research Michael York, star of films such as Cabaret, Logan's Run, and Austin Powers, spoke to the California stem cell agency governing board about his personal batt... By: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine … Continue reading →