Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embyronic stem cells for the first time. The method described Wednesday by Oregon State University scientists in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create human clones, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, senior scientist at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. But it is an important step in research because it does not require the use of embryos in creating the type of stem cell capable of transforming into any other type of cell in the body. The technique involves transplanting an individual's DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer. "A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells," said Mitalipov. He added that since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection. "While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe this … Continue reading →

(Reuters) - Diamond jewelry belonging to Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida sold for more than 4.74 million Swiss francs ($4.9 million) on Tuesday in Geneva and set a record for pearl earrings, auctioneer Sotheby's said. Lollobrigida, a leading sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s, said she was selling the jewelry to raise money for stem cell research. A pair of diamond and natural pearl earrings sold for 2.29 million francs ($2.37 million), an auction record. The earrings beat the $1.98 million figure set in 2011 from the sale of natural pearl and diamond earrings by Bulgari, owned by late actress Elizabeth Taylor. Other prized items from Lollobrigida's collection included a Bulgari necklace and bracelet combination, and a Bulgari ring featuring a 19.03-carat cushion-shaped diamond. Each fetched 749,000 francs ($776,056). The 85-year-old actress attended the auction and said she hoped the money raised would be put towards advancing stem cell research in Italy. "Jewels are meant to give pleasure and for many years I had enormous pleasure wearing mine," Lollobrigida said in a statement. "Selling my jewels to help raise awareness of stem cell therapy, which can cure so many illnesses, seems to me a wonderful use to which to put … Continue reading →

GENEVA (AP) Sotheby's auctioned off $78 million in jewels Tuesday night, fetching just under $3 million for a fancy yellow diamond belonging to actress Gina Lollobrigida that was once owned by a shah of Persia and she hoped would now bring more support for stem cell research. The auction house said the diamond was a highlight in a collection of 23 jewels that the 85-year-old actress, who starred opposite Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra and other top actors in the 1950s and 1960s, was selling partly to fund an international hospital for stem cell treatment. Jewelry, watches and other luxury items are sold every spring by the big auction houses at Geneva's elegant lakefront hotels seemingly a world away from some European countries whose economies are shrinking as their governments enact often tough budget austerity measures to get a handle on their debts. The 74.53-carat fancy yellow diamond that was sold off once belonged to Ahmad Shah Qajar, the shah of Persia from 1909 to 1925 and the last ruler of the Qajar dynasty. Its sale for $2,985,750 set both an auction record and a record price per carat an eye-popping $40,061 per carat for a fancy yellow diamond, according to … Continue reading →

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) announced that the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) will again serve as a co-organizing institution for the World Stem Cell Summit. The 2013 Summit is scheduled for Dec. 4-6, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California. The World Stem Cell Summit is the window to the world of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Bernard Siegel, founder and co-chair of the Summit and executive director of GPI said, "We are honored to have Kyoto University's iCeMS serve as an organizing Summit partner. Under the visionary leadership of Professor Norio Nakatsuji, iCeMS continues its groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary research tying together materials science and stem cell biology. We also recognize the significant contributions of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) to our upcoming World Stem Cell Summit. Prof. Norio Nakatsuji, Founding Director of Kyoto University iCeMS stated, "Our participation as co-organizer at last years World Stem Cell Summit served as a catalyst for numerous new collaborations and provided global recognition of our accomplishments. We look forward to joining other Japanese academic institutions and industry leaders attending the Summit, which we believe to be the most important strategic meeting fostering collaborations and … Continue reading →

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company"), a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013. "We've made excellent progress in the first quarter, showing, for the first time, how neuronal cells developed from our unique and powerful stem cell platform can be used to treat Parkinson's disease in the most widely accepted primate model of the disease, and presenting these results at one of the most important neurology conferences in the world," said Dr. Andrey Semechkin, the Company's CEO and Co-Chairman. "We have also published our innovative and efficient new method of creating these neuronal cells in a well respected peer-reviewed scientific journal, further consolidating ISCO's leadership position," continued Dr. Semechkin. "In addition, the strong sales growth achieved by our subsidiaries confirms that the sales and marketing tactics we have been implementing are starting to deliver the results we anticipated and begin to partially offset our core Research and Development expenses. At the same time we continue to challenge ourselves to become ever more efficient and this continued vigilance is reflected in both the reduced … Continue reading →

TOPEKA What the University of Kansas wants, it may not get. But what it may get, it didnt request. Even as lawmakers rail against spending more on higher education and prove reluctant to fund some of KUs requests, theres some university spending they like. KU has struggled throughout the legislative session to win support for $10 million recommended by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback for a new building to train doctors at its medical school in Kansas City, Kan. At the same time, however, lawmakers eagerly embraced the governors proposal to fund a new adult stem cell research center for the university an initiative backed by Kansans for Life and Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, a leading abortion opponent. Supporters testifying on its behalf included David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the Family Research Council, a Christian group that opposes abortion. KU administrators asked for the building, not for the stem cell money. The Legislatures decision-making speaks to the way politics especially the volatile politics of abortion and related issues such as fetal stem cell research can seep into decisions over spending at the states flagship university. KU administrators asked for the building, saying the new medical education center would … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: iPS cell Generation patent landscape - 2013/03 http://www.reportlinker.com/p01171945/iPS-cell-Generation-patent-landscape---2013/03.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Biological_Therapy Many diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or neurodegenerative diseases are the consequences of dysfunction of specific cells. Strategies were developed to repair or regenerate the damaged tissues using differentiated cells out of stem cells. However, ethical and scientific issues are related to the use of embryonic stem cells. In this context, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) appear as a promising approach. The patient's somatic cells are first dedifferentiated into iPS cells and then redifferentiated into the cell of interest. This revolutionary technology represents major scientific, societal and economic challenges and was recently rewarded by a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine to Prof. Shinya Yamanaka and Prof. John Gurdon. With over 1000 patent families qualified and analyzed out of a pool of 3000 patent families, we have analysed: - The "iPS cells generation" patent landscape The analysis of this patent landscape shows a strong complexity of the environment and demonstrates the ability of institutional players to develop a consistent IP strategy like the one from Kyoto university. Some major players already … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/pwn4hc/ips_cell) has announced the addition of the "iPS cell Generation patent landscape - 2013/03" report to their offering. Many diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or neurodegenerative diseases are the consequences of dysfunction of specific cells. Strategies were developed to repair or regenerate the damaged tissues using differentiated cells out of stem cells. However, ethical and scientific issues are related to the use of embryonic stem cells. In this context, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) appear as a promising approach. The patient's somatic cells are first dedifferentiated into iPS cells and then redifferentiated into the cell of interest. This revolutionary technology represents major scientific, societal and economic challenges and was recently rewarded by a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine to Prof. Shinya Yamanaka and Prof. John Gurdon. With over 1000 patent families qualified and analyzed out of a pool of 3000 patent families, we have analysed: - The iPS cells generation patent landscape - The iPS cells differentiation patent landscape - The iPS cells database Reasons To Buy - Identify key inventors and players involved in the generation and differentiation of iPS cells More here: Research and Markets: iPS Cell Generation Patent Landscape - … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3724fc/mesenchymal_stem) has announced the addition of the "Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Advances & Applications 2013" report to their offering. Understand and profit from the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product market - the fastest growing area of stem cell research. Updated to reflect the most current trends and including five year market projections, this report focuses on the advances in MSC research. In 125 pages you'll explore research priorities by market segment, highlight individual labs and end-users of MSC products, understand the competitive environment for such products and discover market-leading trend analysis. Revealing Unique Strategic Opportunities & Unknown Competitive Advantages MSCs are advantageous over other stem cells types for several reasons. First, they avoid the ethical issues that surround embryonic stem cell research. Second, repeated studies have found that human MSCs are immuno-privileged, and therefore, represent an advantageous cell type for allogenic transplantation, reducing the risks of rejection and complications of transplantation. Recently, there have also been significant advances in the use of autologous MSCs to regenerate human tissues, including cartilage and meniscus, tendons, and bone fractures. This market research report focuses on recent advances in MSC research applications, explores research priorities by market segment, highlights … Continue reading →

University of Toronto: Stem Cells, From Hype to Hope Teaching old cells young tricks: stem cell researchers can turn back the clock on mature cells, reverting them to immature cells that can generate any tissue... By: universitytoronto … Continue reading →