Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Five scientists from the University of California, San Diego and its School of Medicine have been awarded almost $12 million in new grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to conduct stem cell-based research into regenerating spinal cord injuries, repairing gene mutations that cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and finding new drugs to treat heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. The awards mark the third round of funding in CIRM's Early Translational Awards program, which supports projects that are in the initial stages of identifying drugs or cell types that could become disease therapies. More than $69 million in awards were announced yesterday, including funding for first-ever collaboratively funded research projects with China and the federal government of Australia. "With these new awards, the agency now has 52 projects in 33 diseases at varying stages of working toward clinical trials," said Jonathan Thomas, JD, PhD and CIRM governing board chair. "Californians should take pride in being at the center of this worldwide research leading toward new cures. These projects represent the best of California stem cell science and the best international experts who, together, will bring new therapies for patients." The five new UC San Diego awards are: CIRM was … Continue reading →

Fat stem cells may help treat kidney ailments BS Reporter / Mumbai/ AhmedabadMarch 06, 2007 In a breakthrough in the stem cell research, scientist from Ahmedabad have developed a technique to encourage a new kind of stem cells called Mesenchymal stem cells generated from fat (adipose tissue) of donors, which can be used in treating kidney diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells generated from fat of donors hold great promise for the treatment of kidney diseases, claims H L Trivedi, director, Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center (IKDRC), Ahmedabad. We will soon patent the research, he added. The institute will soon convene a meeting of scientists working on the project and take a decision on securing the patent for the research. A team of scientists from the IKDRC, led by Trivedi, has clinically proved that when presented in the right physical context, certain growth factors encourage the survival and proliferation of fat mesenchymal stem cells grown outside the body. Trivedi says the research offers hope of cent per cent recovery for patients suffering from severe kidney diseases as the mesenchymal stem cells will nullify the rejection rate of the body, thus inducing the body to accept the newly transplanted kidney as … Continue reading →

GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- Regulatory News: Cellectis stem cells, a Business Unit of Cellectis Group (Alternext: ALCLS), a premier provider of stem cell derived products and technologies, today announces the launch of a human iPS derived hepatocyte product, hiPS-HEPTM. The hiPS-HEPTM demonstrate high reproducibility, homogeneity and a long life span of stable CYP activity, making them the ideal platform for various in vitro applications including drug discovery, toxicity testing and vaccine development. The hiPS-HEP are human hepatocyte-like cells derived from human induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells under strict quality controlled and ethically approved procedures. "Due to their high relevance in various industrial applications it makes the hiPS-HEP a really promising system for research and development," said Johan Hyllner, CSO of Cellectis stem cells. "The pharmaceutical industry has a great need for better and more clinically relevant models early in the drug development process to predict hepatotoxicity, find new drug targets and develop new vaccines." "This novel product is the fruition of Cellectis strategy to become the global market leader for stem cell-based in vitro models and related technologies. It illustrates our ambitions and the momentum of our future development in this field," said Andr Choulika, Chairman and CEO of Cellectis. About Cellectis … Continue reading →

SARATOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) today announced the results of a new peer-reviewed research study published in Nature Neuroscience that demonstrates functional improvement in immune response modulation and myelin repair with factors derived from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment in animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Funded by the Myelin Repair Foundation, this research conducted by Case Western Reserve University scientists showed positive results with human mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of MS by not only successfully blocking the autoimmune MS response, but also repairing myelin, demonstrating an innovative potential myelin repair treatment for MS. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the immune system that attacks the myelin, causing exposed nerves or lesions which block brain signals, causing loss of motor skills, coordination and cognitive ability. Compared to the controls, this research study showed fewer and smaller lesions found on the nerves in the MSC treatment group. MSCs were found to block the formation of scar tissue by suppressing the autoimmune response, which would otherwise cause permanent damage to the nerves. Furthermore, the research showed that MSC treatment also repaired myelin, enhancing myelin regeneration of the damaged axon and the rewrapping of the myelin around the … Continue reading →

More Topics: Choose a Sector Accounting Firms Advertising/Media/Communications Capital CEO/Board General Business Health/Biotech Internet/Technology Investment Firms Law Firms Mergers & Acquisitions Money Managers People Private Companies Public Companies Venture Capital Posted May 17, 2012 Awards to advance regenerative medicine address diverse, debilitating diseases and conditions COLUMBIA, Md. - The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commissionhas completed its review of the 179 applications received in response to its three FY 2012 Requests for Applications (RFAs). The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) approved the Commission's recommendation to fund 40 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund's (MSCRF) $12.4 million FY 2012 budget. "We are pleased to announce our grant awards for FY 2012," said Margaret Conn Himelfarb, MPH, chair of the Commission. "These projects address a diverse array of debilitating and costly diseases and conditions, some of which are traditionally underfunded. Maryland's investment in cutting-edge stem cell research continues to advance the field and strengthens our State's national leadership position in the life sciences. We are grateful to Governor Martin O'Malley and the Maryland General Assembly for recognizing the tremendous economic and humanitarian benefits of this pioneering research." This funding cycle, the Commission gave priority to … Continue reading →

Study reveals a potential key to new treatment strategies for Muscular Dystrophy Newswise May 14, 2012 - Oakland, Calif. A study conducted by Childrens Hospital & Research Center Oakland scientists identifies how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle injury and may be stimulated to improve muscle repair in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe inherited disease of muscle that causes weakness, disability and, ultimately, heart and respiratory failure. The study, led by Julie D. Saba, MD, PhD, senior scientist at Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), shows that a lipid signaling molecule called sphingosine-1-phosphate or S1P can trigger an inflammatory response that stimulates the muscle stem cells to proliferate and assist in muscle repair. It further shows that mdx mice, which have a disease similar to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, exhibit a deficiency of S1P, and that boosting their S1P levels improves muscle regeneration in these mice. A research report describing the study findings will be published online (http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi %2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0037218) on May 14, 2012 in the journal Public Library of Science ONE (PLoS ONE). Skeletal muscle is the biggest organ system of the human body. It is important for all human activity. Muscles can be injured by trauma, inactivity, aging and … Continue reading →

Public release date: 14-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David McKeon dmckeon@nyscf.org 212-365-7440 New York Stem Cell Foundation NEW YORK, NY (May 14, 2012) -- Dr. Darja Marolt, an Investigator at The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Laboratory, is lead author on a study showing that human embryonic stem cells can be used to grow bone tissue grafts for use in research and potential therapeutic application. Dr. Marolt conducted this research as a post-doctoral NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellow at Columbia University in the laboratory of Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic. The study is the first example of using bone cell progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells to grow compact bone tissue in quantities large enough to repair centimeter-sized defects. When implanted in mice and studied over time, the implanted bone tissue supported blood vessel ingrowth, and continued development of normal bone structure, without demonstrating any incidence of tumor growth. Dr. Marolt's work is a significant step forward in using pluripotent stem cells to repair and replace bone tissue in patients. Bone replacement therapies are relevant in treating patients with a variety of conditions, including wounded military personnel, patients with birth defects, or patients who have suffered other traumatic injury. … Continue reading →

DENVER, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Regenerative Sciences, Inc., a company dedicated to advancing orthopedic care through non-surgical adult stem cell procedures, today announced that it has secured a $2M investment from philanthropist, visionary and businessman John C. Malone, PhD, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation. In addition to advancing Regenerative Sciences' clinical and lab-based stem cell research, the investment will help support the national expansion of their Regenexx Physician Network. Regenerative Sciences' Regenexx procedures utilize a patient's own stem cells to help repair a broad range of common injuries and degenerative conditions, including cartilage lesions, torn ligaments and tendons, osteoarthritis and bulging spinal discs. For many, the procedures offer a viable alternative to arthroscopic surgery, open-joint surgery, or joint replacement surgery. Regenexx patients experience little or no downtime from the procedures and avoid the lengthy rehabilitation period associated with most surgical procedures. "We are proud of our accomplishments in the field of regenerative interventional orthopedics and it's exciting that our work has drawn the attention of such a noted entrepreneur and philanthropist," said Christopher J. Centeno, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Regenerative Sciences. "Dr. Malone shares our vision for forging the next generation of minimally invasive regenerative treatments. This investment … Continue reading →

DALLAS, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ReportsnReports.com announces a Flat 10% Discount on ALL market research reports by BioInformant WorldWide, LLC through June 20, 2012. Whether stem cells are to be studied functionally or based on source tissues, our database of reports on stem cells is sure to meet your research requirements. Here is a list of reports on which you get a Flat 10% Discount through June 20, 2012: The stem cell research products market (excluding stem cell antibodies) was valued at $1.28 billion for the full year 2011 and is projected to increase to $2.10 billion by 2016. The total market for all types of stem cell products - including stem cell research products, stem cell antibodies, and stem cell therapies - was valued at $5.72 billion for the full year 2011. This report identifies, defines, and quantifies each market segment within the stem cell product industry. This research helps you with data and analysis on rate of entrants to the cord blood banking industry, revenue distinctions among existing banks, effect of new entrants for existing competitors, leveraging global tactics for growth and more. As of 2012, 510 cord blood banks are active in 97 countries around the … Continue reading →

May 15, 2012 A New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) scientist has shown in new research that human embryonic stem cells can be used to grow bone tissue grafts for use in research and potential medical applications. Dr. Darja Marolt, an investigator at the NYSCF, is the lead author of the study, which was published this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). It is the first example of using bone cell progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells to grow compact bone tissue in quantities large enough to repair centimeter-sized defects. When implanted in mice and studied over time, the implanted bone tissue supported blood vessel in-growth, and continued development of normal bone structure, without demonstrating any incidence of tumor growth. This is a significant step forward in using pluripotent stem cells to repair and replace bone tissue in patients, noted the researchers. Bone replacement therapies are relevant in treating patients with a variety of conditions, wounds, birth defects, or other traumatic injuries. Dr. Marolt conducted this research as a post-doctoral NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellow at Columbia University in the laboratory of Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic. Since conducting this work, Marolt has continued … Continue reading →