Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Timothy Caulfield on Stem cells and medical tourism: The challenge for health and science policy Stem cells and medical tourism: The challenge for health and science policy Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy October 23, 2012 Few areas of science are as much of a source of controversy and promise as stem cell research. While scientific progress has been made, there are only a few stem cell based therapies that are actually ready for the clinic. Yet clinics throughout the world are leveraging the high profile of the science, offering unproven treatments to patients who are often desperate for an effective treatment for a debilitating condition. Despite condemnation by governments and international scientific entities, the medical tourism industry continues to grow. What is driving this industry? How can Canada react to this health and science policy dilemma? Join Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, as he explores the latest research on the scope and nature of this challenge and offers suggestions on how government, scientists, clinicians and the media should respond.From:IdeasIdeesViews:34 2ratingsTime:47:44More inEducation View post: Timothy Caulfield on Stem cells and medical tourism: The challenge for health and science policy - Video … Continue reading →

Inventing The Future: Stem Cell Research Click here for more info LiveLab.is What does the future have in store for stem cells? How will this new research and technology affect our everyday lives? Inventing the Future is a live news program featuring coming trends that will shape society. In today's world, success means knowing "What's Next After What's Next?" Lead by Robert Tercek, Inventing the Future offers insight into the future of the world after tomorrow. Inventing the Future, coming 2013 Click here to subscribe httpFrom:LiveLabNetworkViews:26 3ratingsTime:00:37More inScience Technology See more here: Inventing The Future: Stem Cell Research - Video … Continue reading →

Regenerative Medicine Lecture and Discussion with Students The first presentation of the fall 2012 Topics in Regenerative Medicine lecture series featured Dr. John Warner who discussed his research on the development of new treatment approaches for life-threatening diseases. Dr. Warner, Scientific Director of Clinical Research/Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota is internationally recognized as an expert in stem cells and umbilical cord blood transplantation.From:SacStateVideoViews:2 0ratingsTime:02:15More inEducation Go here to see the original: Regenerative Medicine Lecture and Discussion with Students - Video … Continue reading →

Fetal Stem Cells A short video describing the benefits of Fetal Stem Cell researchFrom:Bryce HardinViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:21More inScience Technology Go here to see the original: Fetal Stem Cells - Video … Continue reading →

Jonathan Milner, CEO of antibodies hothouse Abcam, has joined other angels in backing an exciting new stem cell company in Cambridge UK. DefiniGEN is one of the first commercial opportunities to arise in the area of stem cells. The ability to generate stem cells by reprogramming cells from patients skin has revolutionised this area of research. These cells, known as human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSC), can be differentiated into almost any cell type, allowing the opportunity to have a ready source of human cells for testing new therapies. DefiniGEN has been formed to supply hIPSC-derived cells to the drug discovery and regenerative medicine sectors. The company is based on the research of Dr Ludovic Vallier, Dr Tamir Rashid and Professor Roger Pedersen of the Anne McLaren Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine. The hIPSC-derived cells produced by DefiniGEN show many of the functional characteristics of primary cells, are highly reproducible and can be made in large quantities, making them ideal for liver toxicity testing, which is a major cause of drug candidate failure. The universitys enterprise fund has also invested 50k in Inotec AMD a spin-out from the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, specialising in the treatment of chronic wounds. … Continue reading →

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX) and its recently formed subsidiary BioTime Acquisition Corporation (BAC) jointly announced today that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Geron Corporation. The LOI contains broad terms of a potential transaction through which Geron would contribute to BAC its intellectual property and other assets related to Gerons discontinued human embryonic stem cell programs. BioTime would contribute to BAC $5 million in cash, $30 million of BioTime common shares, warrants to purchase eight (8) million common shares of BioTime at a pre-specified price, rights to use certain human embryonic stem cell lines, and minority stakes in two of BioTimes subsidiaries. In addition, a private investor would invest $5 million in cash in BAC. Following consummation of the potential transaction, Geron stockholders would receive shares representing 21.4% of the common stock of BAC as well as warrants to purchase 8 million shares of BioTime common stock at a pre-specified price. BioTime would own approximately 71.6%, and a private investor would own approximately 7.0% of the outstanding BAC common stock for their $5 million investment. BioTime would also receive warrants that would enable it to increase its ownership in BAC by … Continue reading →

LINCOLN The results of last week's election pose a new risk for embryonic stem cell research at the University of Nebraska, but the risk does not appear imminent. Five of the eight members of the new board that takes office in January are on record opposing the use of such cells in medical research, but none has disclosed plans to stop it. Opponents say the research is unethical because embryos were destroyed to provide the cells used for study. Proponents say scientists need to study embryonic stem cells as part of their search for life-saving cures. They also note that scientists don't actually use embryos in their research. Rather, they purchase and use cells grown and replicated from an original embryonic sample. Last week's election marked the most significant overhaul of the NU Board of Regents in more than 40 years. Since an expansion of the board to eight members in 1970, no more than two seats have changed hands in any election. This year's three-seat turnover resulted from Regents Jim McClurg of Lincoln, Randy Ferlic of Omaha and Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons not seeking re-election. Their replacements include Jim Pillen, 56, of Columbus, and LaVon Heidemann, 53, of Elk … Continue reading →

New research conducted at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute suggests that lung cancer stem cells can be successfully isolated and grown in a preclinical model. Such a process could provide a new method for investigating immunotherapy treatment options that target lung cancer stem cells. Increasing evidence supports the idea that cancerous tumors have a population of stem cells, also called cancer-initiating cells, that continually regenerate and fuel cancer growth, explains Dr. John Morris, lead author of the study and professor at the UC College of Medicine. These cancer stem cells may also have the highest potential to spread to other organs. The researchers stated that current research models provide limited information in the interaction between cancer stem cells and the immune system. They claim this makes it virtually impossible to study therapies that utilize the bodys immune system to fight off cancer. The new study, published this week in PLOS One, successfully isolated lung cancer stem cells that can be used in a mouse model with full immune system function. The researchers used a tumorsphere assay test to accomplish this feat, allowing them to enrich their samples to isolate cancer stem cells. The research team now hopes to … Continue reading →

San Diego biotechnology and civic leaders threw their support behind stem cell research eight years ago, when the states voters approved Proposition 71, the $3 billion state stem cell initiative. Californians were promised that the research would lead to therapies for diseases and injuries that had no cure, such as spinal paralysis and diabetes. Once scientists had done the research, biotech companies in the field known as regenerative medicine would take over and bring the therapies to market. San Diego research centers banded together to bring in stem cell grants, getting more than $261 million. Local leaders calculated there would be commercial benefits as well, reinforcing San Diegos stature as one of the worlds top biotech centers. Now, that commercialization is starting to take place. Local biotechs are testing stem cell therapies in patients, in the United States, in Europe and in China. Cures for diabetes, heart failure, and even baldness are being developed by San Diego companies; the last two already being tested in patients. While these treatments are still experimental success is far from certain they provide a preliminary indication that regenerative medicine is on the road to becoming a new growth area for the regions large biotechnology … Continue reading →

Swab Mob Swarms Victoria to Save Lives http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca http VICTORIA -- A so-called'Swab Mob' will invade the Atrium Building downtown this week. On Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm the Victoria Police Department, The Royal Bank and One Match will partner to set up a stem cell donor clinic in hopes of boosting the registry. More than 1000 Canadians are currently waiting for stem cell transplants to treat various blood diseases. And while some patients rely on family members, more than 70 percent of patients rely on a stranger as a match. This year the clinic is putting a particular emphasis on two areas. Healthy young men between the ages of 17-35 and ethnic minorities. Women make up 90 percent of donors, and of the remaining 10 percent of male donors only 4 percent are ethnic. As well, recent research has shown that stem cells from male donors are more robust, and provide better post-transplant outcomes in terms of recovery. Giving a stem cell sample takes less than ten minutes. All you have to do is fill out a questionnaire and swab this inside of your mouth. If you miss Thursday's clinic, another'Swab Mob' … Continue reading →