Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise Scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have shown that by encapsulating immature pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and implanting them under the skin of diabetic mouse models, sufficient insulin is produced to maintain glucose levels without unwanted potential trade-offs of the technology. The research, published online in Stem Cell Research, suggests that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells may be an effective and safe cell replacement therapy for insulin dependent-diabetes. Our study critically evaluates some of the potential pitfalls of using stem cells to treat insulin dependent-diabetes, said Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, assistant project scientist in the UC San Diego Department of Pediatrics and adjunct assistant professor in Development, Aging and Regenerative program at Sanford-Burnham. We have shown that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells are able to produce insulin in response to elevated glucose without an increase in the mass or their escape from the capsule, said Itkin-Ansari. These results are important because it means that the encapsulated cells are both fully functional and retrievable. Previous attempts to replace insulin producing cells, called beta cells, have met with significant challenges. For example, researchers … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 24-Mar-2014 Contact: Susan Gammon Ph.D. sgammon@sanfordburnham.org 858-795-5012 Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute LA JOLLA, Calif., March 25, 2014 Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) and UC San Diego School of Medicine scientists have shown that by encapsulating immature pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and implanting them under the skin in animal models of diabetes, sufficient insulin is produced to maintain glucose levels without unwanted potential trade-offs of the technology. The research suggests that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells hold great promise as an effective and safe cell-replacement therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes. "Our study critically evaluates some of the potential pitfalls of using stem cells to treat insulin-dependent diabetes," said Pamela Itkin-Ansari, Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor in the Development, Aging, and Regenerative Program at Sanford-Burnham, with a joint appointment at UC San Diego. "We have shown that encapsulated hESC-derived pancreatic cells are able to produce insulin in response to elevated glucose without an increase in the mass or their escape from the capsule. These results are important because it means that the encapsulated cells are both fully functional and retrievable," said Itkin-Ansari. In the study, published online in Stem Cell Research, Itkin-Ansari and her team used bioluminescent … Continue reading →

University of Wisconsin-Madison law and bioethics professor Alta Charo works to raise awareness for the dangers of stem cell tourism, according to a university press release Monday. Stem cell tourism refers to people who travel within the United States and abroad in the pursuit of stem cells. These people are often sick and desperate and are falsely led to believe stem cell therapy can cure an array of medical conditions, Charo said in the release. Advertisements for stem cell clinics often tout their treatments, but although patients all over the world are convinced stem cells will cure their disease, little data exists that proves the effectiveness of using stem cell therapeutically, according to Charo. Not only are some stem cell treatments advertised by clinics questionable and often useless, they can also be dangerous, according to the release. We already have had two reported deaths of children, and there are probably more injured than anybody would imagine, Charo said in the release. Its time we started complaining a little more loudly. Though there have been instances of approved and unapproved treatments in the United States, many clinics that pose danger exist outside the country. Clinics in China are responsible for about … Continue reading →

Should stem cell therapy be used in DLCBL? Response based on the findings of the case study presented by Prof. Marek Trnn Transcript: The question to consider is whether a stem cell transplant is su... By: Emmet Dunne … Continue reading →

Stem Cell Therapy and Hair Transplantation Methods Subscribe to Tv5 News Channel: http://goo.gl/NHJD9 Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tv5newschannel Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.co... By: TV5 News … Continue reading →