SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --RNL Bio (www.rnl.co.kr) announced on Sep 11, 2012 that it signed the agreement with RST Biomedikal Sanayi A.S. (RST), a Turkish company, to license RNL Bio's stem cell technology. Turkey is the 6th country where RNL Bio's stem cell technology has entered. This is one of the major accomplishments that RNL BIO has long focused on establishing the so-called 'Stem Cell Silk Road' with South Korean stem cell technology to give hope to patients with intractable diseases in the world. RST as a licensee will pay the $5 million fee upfront within 60 days from the agreement and will continue to pay the running royalty of 15% of the revenue, which could be up to $ 200 million. RST will benefit from the geographical advantages of Turkey where Western, Arabic and Oriental cultures are crossed. It plans to establish a GMP facility and invite patients from Europe and Middle East early next year. Ilknur Erdemin, CEO of RST said, "We expect to improve public health and the quality of life in Turkey through stem cell therapy technology imported from RNL BIO in treating various intractable diseases. We will also grow Turkey to one … Continue reading →

12-09-2012 14:03 This game is designed to help your child on the Autism Spectrum broaden and expand their conversation skills. Often our children are only interested in talking about themselves or their favorite topic of conversation. This game helps a child to find out and discover things about another person. More here: Help with Social Skills - High Functioning Autism - Themes Games and Activites - Video … Continue reading →

AUSTRALIAN researchers have developed the first known genetic test to predict the risk of children developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further studies are needed before the blood test becomes available, which could take another five years, but researchers say early results indicate the test can predict the likelihood of developing an ASD with a 72 per cent success rate. The team of researchers led by the University of Melbourne made another significant finding, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry this week, that could potentially lead to drug treatments for ASD. The scientists identified genes that protect against ASD, in addition to genes linked to an increased risk of the disorders. Both would be used in the genetic test to produce a higher or lower risk of developing autism, a condition characterised by abnormal social interaction, impaired communication and repetitive behaviours. Lead researcher Professor Stan Skafidas from the University of Melbourne said it may be possible in future to harness those protective genes to develop new pharmacological treatments. The genetic test could help clinicians provide treatment earlier to children and reduce the lengthy time it currently takes to diagnose the disorders. However, Prof Skafidas conceded that the 72 per cent … Continue reading →

The Irish Times - Thursday, September 13, 2012 PAUL CULLEN, Health Correspondent AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS have developed a genetic test to predict autism spectrum disorder in children, which could provide a long-sought way for early detection and intervention. The test correctly predicted autism with more than 70 per cent accuracy in people of central European descent, with research into other ethnic groups continuing, according to a study published yesterday. However, a leading Irish autism expert urged caution, saying the test was not sufficiently accurate to be relied upon by parents seeking a diagnosis for their children. Prof Michael Fitzgerald, professor of child psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, described the test as a welcome first step but said the success rate was very crude and could not be used in a clinical setting. Its a step in the right direction but far from acceptable. I couldnt imagine telling a parent their child had or didnt have autism on the basis of this, he said. The difficulty of making a diagnosis for small children is even greater than for adults because they are developing rapidly, he pointed out. About one in 150 children has autism, with symptoms ranging from social awkwardness and narrow … Continue reading →