Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Public release date: 24-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair Putnam Valley, NY. (Sept. 24, 2012) Two studies in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (21:6), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/, demonstrate how the use of magnetic particles are a factor that can positively impact on the targeted delivery of transplanted stem cells and to also provide better cell retention. A research team from the University of British Columbia used focused magnetic stem cell targeting to improve the delivery and transport of mensenchymal stem cells to the retinas of test rats while researchers from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute (Los Angeles) injected magnetically enhanced cardiac stem cells to guide the cells to their target to increase cell retention and therapeutic benefit in rat models of ischemic/reperfusion injury. According to study co-author Dr. Kevin Gregory-Evans, MD, PhD, of the Centre for Macular Degeneration at the University of British Columbia, degeneration of the retina - the cause of macular degeneration as well as other eye diseases - accounts for most cases of blindness in the developed world. To date, the transplantation of mensenchymal stem cells to the damaged retina … Continue reading →

With its latest round of awards earlier this month, California's stem cell agency has now handed out $1.5 billion to enterprises linked to its directors. The figure amounts to 92 percent of the $1.7 billion awarded by the agency. The grants and loans range from $261 million to Stanford University, whose medical school dean, Philip Pizzo, sits on the agency's governing board, to $170,500 to Children's Hospital in Oakland, whose president, Bert Lubin, also is a member of the board. The University of California, Davis, has received $128 million. Claire Pomeroy, chief executive officer of UC Davis Health System, is another one of the 29 board members. In all, 27 institutions with past or present representatives on the agency board have received funding. None of this is illegal. And none of it is likely to change. The situation was created by Proposition 71, the 2004 ballot measure that established the state's $3 billion stem cell agency, formally known as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM. The initiative was crafted so that virtually all of the institutions that stood to benefit from the state's largesse had seats at the table where the money is handed out. The built-in conflicts … Continue reading →

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chimerix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing orally-available antiviral therapeutics, today announced data highlighting the significant morbidity and resource utilization associated with the current standard of care for the management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. This analysis, entitled "Preemptive Therapy (PrT) for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Post-hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) is Associated with Significant Morbidity and Resource Utilization," was presented at the 52nd Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC, September 9-12, San Francisco). Morbidity and Resource Utilization Associated with Preemptive Therapy Preemptive therapy is the initiation of antiviral therapy in the presence of viral infection. Chimerix's presentation highlighted adverse effects (AEs) experienced by patients who received preemptive therapy and were treated with currently available antiviral agents, including valganciclovir, ganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir. A retrospective analysis of data from 71 patients who received preemptive treatment of CMV infection showed that the majority experienced at least one significant AE. These AEs included: Of these patients, 18% had life-threatening AEs, including bacterial infections, cytopenias, and hemorrhages, and 23% had an AE that required hospitalization. While the currently available antiviral agents are associated with significant adverse events, including cytopenias, … Continue reading →

Newswise September 21, 2012 (BRONX, NY) The promise of stem cells seems limitless. If they can be coaxed into rebuilding organs, repairing damaged spinal cords and restoring ravaged immune systems, these malleable cells would revolutionize medical treatment. But stem cell research is still in its infancy, as scientists seek to better understand the role of these cells in normal human development and disease. On Friday, September 14, the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University offered the Einstein community and invited guests an opportunity to hear from leading stem cell scientists investigating the dynamic field. The 2012 Einstein Stem Cell Institute Symposium featured speakers from around the globe presenting the latest research on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), cell reprogramming, as well as cancer and hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. This symposium was an important milestone for stem cell research at Einstein and confirms our intent to contribute to advances in stem cell biology, said the events host and organizer, Paul Frenette, M.D., director and chair of Einsteins Stem Cell Institute and professor of medicine and of cell biology. There has been a lot … Continue reading →

BRIDGEWATER Scientists from all over the country gathered for the sixth annual New Jersey Stem Cell Research Symposium on Wednesday at the Bridgewater Marriott hotel. Researchers presented discoveries to an audience of about 250 people, with the University contributing 42 displays on findings in fields ranging from leukemia to addiction. The symposium was designed to help different personnel in the field meet to boost productivity, said Kathryn Drzewiecki, a University graduate student in biomedical engineering. Its good to have research and industry together to help each other, said Drzewiecki, who studied devices meant to culture stem cells. We can tell them what they need and they can get those products to be developed. The Universitys Center for Stem Cell Research co-sponsored the symposium. Ron Hart, professor of cell biology and neuroscience at the University, said the University is on the forefront of stem cell research and has the largest collection of human blood cells in the world. Half a million samples are stored in the Cell and DNA Repository and are now being used to generate stem cells for research, he said. We turn them into neurons and begin to study mechanisms of disorders, Hart said. So there are several … Continue reading →

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Seung-Jo Yang, a Parliament member, prepared a bill proposing new law for the management and transplantation of stem cells. On September 17, the National Health and Welfare Committee referred the bill to the Conference for review. The previous 18th National Assembly proposed a similar stem cell bill when much of its term had already passed so it was not fully discussed until the period ended, disappointing many patients with rare diseases. The Bill was referred to the 19th National Assembly, though, which shows the willingness of South Korean leaders to meet the expectations that this new law will be passed coming from the medical community and patient groups throughout South Korea. Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra, president of RNL BIO's stem cell technology institute said "This effort for new stem cell bill will advance the use and sophistication of autologous adult stem cell technology as a powerful solution for overcoming incurable diseases." Dr. Ra, whose pioneering efforts in Korean stem cell research are known worldwide, is equally known in Korea as an ardent advocate for governmental investment in regenerative medicine. Perhaps no scientist has pushed harder for rigorous standards for stem cell banking, which … Continue reading →

This shows a colony of induced pluripotent stem cells. Blue fluorescence indicates cell nuclei; red and green are markers of pluripotency. Credit: Image: Courtesy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Salk scientists have identified a unique molecular signature in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), "reprogrammed" cells that show great promise in regenerative medicine thanks to their ability to generate a range of body tissues. In this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Salk scientists and their collaborators at University of California, San Diego, report that there is a consistent, signature difference between embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. The findings could help overcome hurdles to using the induced stem cells in regenerative medicine. "We believe that iPSCs hold a great potential for the treatment of human patients," says Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory and the senior author on the paper. "Yet we must thoroughly understand the molecular mechanisms governing their safety profile in order to be confident of their function in the human body. With the discovery of these small, yet apparent, epigenetic differences, we believe that we are now one step closer to that goal." Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) … Continue reading →

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- California Stem Cell, Inc. (CSC) scientific advisory board chairman Hans S. Keirstead, Ph.D. will be among a notable group of forward-thinking innovators, designers, educators, technologists, and socially concerned leaders who will speak at the 2012 TEDxOrangeCoast event in Costa Mesa on October 10. One of the worlds foremost stem cell researchers, Dr. Keirstead has pioneered several stem cell-based medical discoveries and policies, and founded the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UC Irvine. At TEDxOrangeCoast, he will highlight what it takes to overcome obstacles and succeed when translating stem cell discoveries into therapeutic reality. TEDxOrangeCoast will bring the spirit of the popular TED series to Orange Countys Segerstrom Center for the Arts, with more than 1500 guests expected to attend. Millions more will view video coverage of the event. Stem cells have a greater potential than any other medical discovery to date, said Keirstead. They lie at the crossroads of academia, industry, government and religion. I am excited to have this opportunity to share my perspective on this incredible field. Additional information regarding Dr. Keirstead and California Stem Cells pioneering work focused on creating stem cell-based therapies for patients suffering from cancer and life-threatening … Continue reading →

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rainbow Biosciences, the biotech subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC), announced today that it is exploring the possible use of micro-gravity technology developed by NASA to produce three-dimensional adult stem cells for medical research purposes. RBCC announced on Monday that it will expand its focus on technology capable of culturing 3D cell clusters to include adult stem cells. The company is currently investigating the potential for a bioreactor developed for the space program to grow tissues from adult stem cells for possible study and even transplantation. Stem cells grown using the NASA technology multiply rapidly and remain three dimensional, unlike the two-dimensional cells grown in Petri dishes. This characteristic makes possible the production of healthy populations of cheaper and higher-quality stem cells suitable for all manner of research. This technology has the potential to be one of NASAs greatest gifts to medical sciences, said RBCC CEO Patrick Brown. The ability to cultivate adult stem cells in a micro-gravity environment here on earth could prove to be a great leap forward in the field of biotechnology, and were very interested in discussing how we might be able to assist in the development and marketing of new therapies and … Continue reading →

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Case results published in the journal Cell Transplantation revealed that human craniofacial tissues regenerate faster using stem cells than with traditional bone regeneration therapy. San Francisco dentist Dr. Greg Larson awaits the benefits this research has in store for restorative dentistry treatments. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research and Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Mich., performed research in a dual effort. Clinical trials included 24 participants needing jawbone reconstruction following tooth extraction. Researchers prescribed some participants bone regeneration therapy, while others received ixmyelocel-T cells, developed by Aastrom Biosciences. Aastrom researchers used the bone marrow of participants to create a variety of cell types, including stem cells that would later be implanted into their mouths and jaws. "Patients who received tissue repair cells achieved greater bone density and quicker bone renewal and required less bone grafting during implant procedures when compared to those who underwent traditional guided bone regeneration therapy," according to the U-M press release. U-M School of Dentistry Assistant Professor Darnell Kaigler says the regenerated bone will provide dentists with a stronger foundation when using dental implants. By replacing missing teeth with dental … Continue reading →