Cathy and Charles Fitch of Mount Pleasant are enjoying life as he is in remission from leukemia. Doctors have based treatments based on Charles' genome since his diagnosis in June 2011. David Quick/Staff Genomic sequencing 101 Nearly every cell in the human body, from the ones in the fingernails to the ones deep inside the brain, contains a complete set of DNA, the operating instructions that influence everything from a person's hair color to susceptibility to disease. For years, doctors have been able to test specific genes to detect the presence of mutations associated with disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. But only recently have scientists been able to map out a person's entire genetic code, or genome, by sequencing all 25,000 or so genes in one fell swoop. How many have the potential to cause cancer? Dr. Stephen Ethier, chairman of breast cancer research at the Medical University of South Carolina says, "We're still searching for the final answer, but it's probably a few hundred genes. Some we know well. Most we still don't." To sequence a person's genome, doctors need to collect less than a teaspoon of blood or saliva. Then chemicals are used from … Continue reading →

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Doug Schmid in the lab at Utah Cord Bank, Thursday, May 1, 2014. Utah Cord Bank is pushing to expand operations, giving parents more options for banking their babies' cord blood In 2007, the University of Utah began collecting umbilical cord blood donations for the National Cord Blood Stem Cell bank. Two years later, it expanded, adding Utahs major labor wards to its public banking effort giving more women in this most fertile of states the opportunity to save a life or contribute to research. Treating disease with stem cells Cell therapy Cell therapies involve transplanting human cells to replace or repair damaged or diseased blood, tissue or organs. Bone marrow transplants of hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells are the most common. How does it work? Hematopoietic stem cells can form mature blood cells, such as red blood cells (which carry oxygen), platelets (to stop bleeding) and white blood cells (to fight infection). In addition to treating cancer and other blood diseases, they are being tested for use with autoimmune, genetic and a host of other disorders. Why cord blood? Read more from the original source: Cord blood donations a rarity in fertile, charitable … Continue reading →

US BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCBB:BCLI), a developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, said Friday that the first participants had been recruited in a Phase II study of NurOwn in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial aims to examine the safety and efficacy of transplantation of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secreting Neurotrophic Factors (MSC-NTF or NurOwn) in 48 patients with ALS. The study is being carried out at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, the University of Massachusetts Memorial (UMass) Hospital in Worcester and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. NurOwn is BrainStorm's autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology that differentiates bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into MSC-NTF cells, which secrete neurotrophic, or nerve- growth, factors for protection of existing motor neurons, motor neuron growth promotion, and re-establishment of nerve-muscle interaction. BrainStorm holds the rights to develop and commercialise the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing deal with Israeli Tel Aviv University's technology transfer company Ramot. (C)2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com Get our daily newsletter or follow us. Please enter your email below: Link: BrainStorm launches efficacy study of stem cell therapy for ALS … Continue reading →

Stem Cell treatment osteoarthritis patient suffering from osteoarthritis. By: StemRx BioScience … Continue reading →