Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

LA JOLLA, Calif., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a serendipitous discovery, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found a way to turn bone marrow stem cells directly into brain cells. Current techniques for turning patients' marrow cells into cells of some other desired type are relatively cumbersome, risky and effectively confined to the lab dish. The new finding points to the possibility of simpler and safer techniques. Cell therapies derived from patients' own cells are widely expected to be useful in treating spinal cord injuries, strokes and other conditions throughout the body, with little or no risk of immune rejection. "These results highlight the potential of antibodies as versatile manipulators of cellular functions," said Richard A. Lerner, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Immunochemistry and institute professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at TSRI, and principal investigator for the new study. "This is a far cry from the way antibodies used to be thought ofas molecules that were selected simply for binding and not function." The researchers discovered the method, reported in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of April 22, 2013, while looking for … Continue reading →

Public release date: 22-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Shaun Mason smason@mednet.ucla.edu 310-206-2805 University of California - Los Angeles Pluripotent stem cells can turn, or differentiate, into any cell type in the body, such as nerve, muscle or bone, but inevitably some of these stem cells fail to differentiate and end up mixed in with their newly differentiated daughter cells. Because these remaining pluripotent stem cells can subsequently develop into unintended cell types bone cells among blood, for instance or form tumors known as teratomas, identifying and separating them from their differentiated progeny is of utmost importance in keeping stem cellbased therapeutics safe. Now, UCLA scientists have discovered a new agent that may be useful in strategies to remove these cells. Their research was published online April 15 in the journal Developmental Cell and will appear in an upcoming print edition of the journal. The study was led by Carla Koehler, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCLA, and Dr. Michael Teitell, a UCLA professor of pathology and pediatrics. Both are members of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. In work using … Continue reading →

Public release date: 19-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Vanessa Wasta wasta@jhmi.edu 410-614-2916 Johns Hopkins Medicine Pioneering research led by Johns Hopkins scientists on the use of partially matched bone marrow transplants to wipe out sickle cell disease has been selected as one of the Top 10 Clinical Research Achievements of 2012 by the Clinical Research Forum. The success of a preliminary clinical trial of the so-called haploidentical transplants has the potential to bring curative transplants to a majority of sickle cell patients who need them, eliminating painful and debilitating symptoms and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions. On behalf of the research team, Robert A. Brodsky, M.D., the Johns Hopkins Family Professor of Medicine in Oncology and director of the Division of Hematology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will receive the award and an additional honor, the Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award, at a ceremony on April 18 during the Clinical Research Forum annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Comprised of academic medical centers, professional organizations, and industry partners, the Clinical Research Forum selects 10 scientists each year whose clinical research improves human health and alleviates suffering from disease. All … Continue reading →

Medical Daily reports on a new study where stem cells from fat tissue were used to help track difficult regions in the brain prone to remission. Voices Against Brain Cancer releases a statement encouraging more stem cell research. New York, NY (PRWEB) April 18, 2013 According to the Medical Daily article by Ansa Varughese, the study showed that stem cells from fat tissue can be used to track difficult regions in the brain prone to remission. Scientists cannot yet determine why or how these stem cells target the prone areas, but the cells seem naturally drawn to the damaged areas. Researchers are using the stem cells as transporters to help deliver drugs for treatment in the cancer spreading regions of the brain. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, the lead researcher and professor of neurosurgery, oncology, and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins, was quoted in the article as saying, The biggest challenge in brain cancer is the migration of cancer cells. Even when we remove the tumor, some of the cells have already slipped away and are causing damage somewhere else. Building off our findings, we may be able to find a way to arm a patient's own healthy cells with the treatment needed to … Continue reading →

Vatican adult stem cell conference seeks to promote'ethical' science http://www.euronews.com/ The Vatican is bringing top scientists together for its second international adult stem cell conference. The organisers say they wan... By: Euronews … Continue reading →

Speech 4 Stem Cell Research By: Destiny Hager … Continue reading →

Stem Cell Research Products - Opportunities, Tools, and Technologies By: Anjali Kalan … Continue reading →

MIAMI & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Alpha-1 Project (TAP) today announced a $150,000 commission to Darrell Kotton, MD, to expand development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines created from tissue donated by patients with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). Kotton is Professor of Medicine and Co-director of both The Alpha-1 Center and the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. We are happy to announce The Alpha-1 Projects investment in providing tools for researchers and industry, said Jean-Marc Quach, Executive Director of TAP. This commission signals our intent to direct research and resources aimed at speeding the development of new therapies for Alpha-1. I must emphasize that additional funds will need to be raised from the community if Dr. Kotton is to meet the goal of completing 20 stem cell lines over the next three years. Kotton plans to make the Alpha-1 iPSC lines available to all researchers interested in studying stem cell technology and possible therapies for Alpha-1. "We're excited to expand our research resource portfolio for the international investigator community with the leading-edge technology of these cell lines, said John Walsh, President and CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation and member of TAPs … Continue reading →

MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --A preliminary research study, which found that adult stem cells may be functionally reprogrammed to act like younger cells, was presented by Dr. Vincent Giampapa at The Second International Vatican Stem Cell Conference: Regenerative Medicine A Fundamental Shift in Science and Culture, from within the Vatican, held between April 11-13, 2013. The research, which has potential implications in the restoration of human immune function, was conducted by researchers affiliated with CellHealth Institute. (Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130327/LA84207LOGO) Dr. Vincent Giampapa, chief medical officer of CellHealth Institute, faculty at UMDNJ's Medical School, and principal investigator of the research, revealed that the preliminary findings support further research into the reprogramming of adult stem cells. This research could lead to a major breakthrough in treating chronic illnesses, enhancing immune response and the maintenance of optimal health. "Although this is a pilot study, this is the first time that adult stem cells have been functionally reprogrammed to act as younger versions of themselves," said Dr. Giampapa. "The implications for future use in the restoration of immune function as well as the cell regeneration in aging humans is plausible. It's early days, but the signs are there to give us great hope as … Continue reading →

Newswise ANN ARBOR, Mich. For nearly two years, University of Michigan neurologist Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D. has led the nations first clinical trial of stem cell injections in patients with the deadly degenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease. Now, a new approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration paves the way for U-M to become the second site in the trial, pending approval of the U-M Institutional Review Board. To date, the first phase of the trial has taken place at Emory University, with Feldman serving as principal investigator. The FDA approval of a Phase II trial was announced today by Neuralstem, the company whose product the trial is testing. The Phase II trial will continue to evaluate the safety of the stem cell injections, delivered directly into patients spinal cords in escalating doses of up to 400,000 cells per injection, with a maximum of 40 injections. It will also assess any signs that the injections might be impacting patients ALS symptoms or progression. Feldman serves as an unpaid consultant to the company, and has led the analysis of results from the Phase I trial. In data presented last year, spinal … Continue reading →