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
Original post:
Stem Cell Therapy and Hair Transplantation Methods - Video
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 imaging to see if encapsulated cells stay in the capsule after implantation.
Previous attempts to replace insulin-producing cells, called beta cells, have met with significant challenges. For example, researchers have tried treating diabetics with mature beta cells, but because mature cells are fragile and scarce, the method is fraught with problems. Moreover, since the cells come from organ donors, they may be recognized as foreign by the recipient's immune systemrequiring patients to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their immune system from attacking the donor's cells, ultimately leaving patients vulnerable to infections, tumors, and other adverse events.
Encapsulation technology was developed to protect donor cells from exposure to the immune systemand has proven extremely successful in preclinical studies.
Itkin-Ansari and her research team previously made an important contribution to the encapsulation approach by showing that pancreatic islet progenitor cells are an optimal cell type for encapsulation. They found that progenitor cells were more robust than mature beta cells to encapsulate, and while encapsulated, they matured into insulin-producing cells, which secreted insulin only when needed.
Read this article:
Replacing insulin through stem cell-derived pancreatic cells under the skin
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 half of all stem cell treatments, and Mexico, Russia and Costa Rica also have defective clinics, according to the release.
Charo emphasized the importance of regulation and realism when dealing with stem cells.
It is time to lose the hype without losing the hope, she said in the release.
Read the original here:
UW-Madison professor debunks therapeutic stem cell tourism
Should stem cell therapy be used in DLBCL?
By: Lymphoma Hub
Original post:
Arthritic shoulders; Len discusses his results 9 months after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Arthritic shoulders; Len discusses his results 9 months after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson http://www.docereclinics.com.
By: Harry Adelson, N.D.
View post:
YORK, Pa. (AP) - A York County soldier left partially paralyzed when he was shot in Afghanistan nearly two years ago is banking on stem cells to help him regain movement.
Matthew Hanes, 22, of Manchester Township will head to China in April to undergo surgery to repair part of his damaged spinal cord.
Doctors essentially will use minor surgery and stem cell therapy to build a bridge over two vertebrae that were shattered when Hanes was shot.
At the minimum Ill get at least some feeling back where I dont have it in certain places, but I could get everything back if it goes well, Hanes said.
U.S. Army Cpl. Hanes was shot while on patrol in Afghanistan in June 2012. He was left with limited use of his upper body and no use of his lower extremities.
RESEARCH: Soon after he returned to the U.S., Hanes began researching stem cell therapy as possible treatment.
Thats how he found Puhua International Hospital in Beijing, where he will fly on April 1 for the treatment. Hes slated to return stateside later that month.
Its coming up slowly now that I know its on, Hanes said.
During his research, Hanes said he found the U.S. is so far behind on stem cell research compared to some countries in Asia, such as China, and Europe.
For years, the federal government imposed tight restrictions on stem cell research until it was loosened in 2009 by President Barrack Obama.
See the original post:
Before undergoing regenerative stem cell therapy in November, a 5-year-old Newfoundland named Bella had been on medication for most of her life.
A congenital issue that affects about 25 percent of her breed left 138-pound Bella walking with a limp and unable to keep up with her brother, Ollie, on their twice-daily walks at Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, said her owner, Art Terry of Kula.
"We were at the point of being hopeless," he said. "She'd been progressing to where she couldn't walk anymore. I couldn't take her to the park. She used to hobble around the house."
Bella, a 138-pound Newfoundland, and her owner, Art Terry, wait outside the Animal Care Hospital and Wellness Center in Kula just before she underwent stem cell therapy in November.
Animal Care Hospital and Wellness Center photo
Veterinary head technician Michelle James processes fat cells for stem cell activation with veterinarian Dennis Brown at the Animal Care Hospital and Wellness Center in Kula.
Animal Care Hospital and Wellness Center photo
Veterinary technician Samara Phillips (left) monitors anesthesia with veterinary head technician Michelle James and Dr. Dennis Brown during Bellas stem cell therapy procedure.
Animal Care Hospital and Wellness Center photo
Since the stem cell therapy, "you can't believe it's the same dog," Terry said. "I had to stop her chasing cars a couple of times at Polipoli park."
See the article here:
The Philippines is the biggest market for the popular, if highly controversial, alternative treatment in Germany called fresh-cell therapy (FCT). Fresh cells derived from the fetus of an unborn lamb are injected into patients, and are said to cure a large number of illnesses.
Despite the high cost of the treatment, wealthy Filipinos are undeterred, and typically arrive in droves in a sleepy town outside Frankfurt, their hopes of being cured or rejuvenated pinned on the life of every donor sheep.
Given its renown, its no surprise that questions about the efficacy and safety of FCT has been the subject of discussions among health professionals. There have also been rumors of deaths after FCT.
The proponents of FCT in Germany, however, claim that all talk about patient deaths and questionable safety standards are unfounded, and an uncouth effort to discredit FCT so that the same medical professionals here could promote stem-cell therapy, which is allowed in the country. They deny the rumors of deaths and challenge their accusers to show proof. They also maintain that FCT is a decades-old, legitimate and safe naturopathic treatment.
Theres also a rivalry in Edenkoben between the famous clinic Villa Medica and the breakaway practice of Dr. Robert Janson-Mller, who used to work at the same clinic.
Dr. Mller now administers FCT in a hotel, which doubles as his clinic. This gave rise to talks questioning the standards of a practice that is done in a hotel, not a hospital. Some accounts also say that there have been Filipino patients fooled into believing they were bound for Villa Medica, only to find themselves in Dr. Mullers hotel.
Inquirer Lifestyle visits the two rival clinics in Germany, and we experience firsthand what FCT is all about.
Follow Us
Recent Stories:
Tags: Dr. Robert Janson-Mller , Frankfurt , fresh cell therapy , Stem Cell Therapy , Villa Medica
Read the original post:
The furor over fresh-cell therapy (which is NOT stem cell therapy)
EDENKOBEN, a postcard-pretty town an hours drive south of Frankfurt, offers picturesque scenes of vineyards
Its not only about adding years to life, but adding life to years.
This in essence sums up the philosophy behind Dr. Robert Janson-Mllers practice as a general practitioner in Munich and as a specialist (one of a handful) in live cell therapy in Edenkoben, a picturesque, grape-producing town one hour south of Frankfurt.
A growing number of Asians, including Filipinos suffering from such ailments as diabetes, heart disease, degenerative disorders of the joints and spinal column, multiple sclerosis, mild depression, burnout, migraine and even impotence, are braving the 14-hour flight to Germany to avail themselves of the therapy pioneered in the 30s by Swiss doctor Paul Niehans.
Live cell therapy, which is an organ-specific approach, involves harvesting fresh cells from sheep embryo and injecting them directly (intramuscular) on the patients buttocks.
Not a few parents also swear by the therapys beneficial effects on their children with mild autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Downs syndrome.
DR. ROBERT Janson-Mller and his team composed of Joesoef Agoes, head nurse Simone Huethere, Dr.Wolgang Janson-Mller, assistant nurse Debbie Lehmann and Joey Santos
Better functions
During our coverage, for instance, we came across an Indonesian couple with an 11-year-old son with ADHD and mild autism. After trying all sorts of treatments to improve their sons focus and EQ, including a daily dose of the drug Concerta, the couple learned about live cell therapy from another parent with an autistic son.
Before live cell therapy, he was mostly limited to one-word sentences, said the dad of his son. And when he talked to people, he lacked eye contact. Now, I could teach him to form complete thoughts and sentences.
See the original post here:
Live cell therapywhy its not about healing and performing miracles
EMIL Sison, Davao resident and Villa Medica patient. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL
At about this time last year, Emil Sison was hobbling around with the aid of a cane. His speech was so slurred that he was embarrassed to speak to people.
When he had to pay for something, hed feel the storekeepers exasperation as his shaky hands struggled to grip the bills from his wallet.
Sison, 66, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease two years ago, a new blow for the retired Davao construction company owner who had already suffered from two heart attacks prior.
This time, Sisons new condition had symptoms so enfeebling that they threatened his quality of life, unacceptable for a man who refuses to slow down and resign himself to his bed as he awaits his end.
VILLA Medica managing director Bobby Chia with Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz and Villa Medica Philippines country manager Suzette Lopez in Edenkoben. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL
When we met him last month at the Villa Medica hospital in Edenkoben, Germany, a quiet little town surrounded by forests and vineyards an hour-and-a-half-long drive from Frankfurt, it was hard to imagine the robust man as he described himself from the year before, when he first received fresh-cell therapy (FCT). He came down from his room sans walking stick, his speech was clear, and he showed us that only two of his fingers remained slightly shaky.
I talked to another patient today, and he noted that it was my second time here, he said. And I said, I wouldnt be here again if its not good Last year, I thought tama na, malayo at mahal, kaya na. But when I felt new symptoms of the same disease, I thought, delikado. Ayokong maging bedridden. Ayokong maghintay na lang ng katapusan. (Thats enough, I thought. The treatment is far and expensive But I didnt want to be bedridden and just wait for my end.)
Like many Filipinos who may have heard of this unorthodox alternative treatment in Germany, Sison had doubts about FCTs efficacy, even as he had agreed to travel across the world and pay good money for the treatment.
Preventive, regenerative
See the article here:
Filipinos make up biggest clientele of German fresh-cell therapy center
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
Excerpt from:
Poway, California (PRWEB) March 21, 2014
Ruby, a 10 year old Border Collie mix from Breckenridge, Colorado, has found relief from the pain of arthritis with stem cell therapy by Vet-Stem, Inc. Rubys owners came to Jamie Gaynor, DVM at Frisco Animal Hospital for a second opinion after being told Ruby would need a total hip replacement to relieve her constant pain and discomfort. Her quality of life had diminished so rapidly they feared losing her.
Dr. Gaynor began performing stem cell therapy by Vet-Stem for pets in 2006, in Colorado Springs. Paralleling his specialties in pain management, he has now helped well over one hundred pets in the state of Colorado, and ones that traveled just to have his expertise. His credentials and experience made Dr. Gaynor the perfect fit for helping Rubys worsening bilateral hip arthritis despite aggressive drug therapy. Ruby would become Dr. Gaynors first stem cell therapy case at Frisco Animal Hospital; Summit Countys first and oldest animal hospital.
Ruby was in constant pain and discomfort. She had to be carried up stairs and could not go on car rides; her second favorite thing to do. Her quality of life was diminishing rapidly, and we thought we were losing her, explained Rubys owners.
Rubys stem cell procedure consisted of a small fatty tissue collection, which was sent overnight to Vet-Stems lab in California for processing. Once Rubys fat was processed, and stem cells were extracted, fresh doses of her stem cells were sent overnight back to Dr. Gaynor in injectable doses. Within 48hrs of collecting a fat sample from Ruby, Dr. Gaynor was able to inject stem cells into each of her arthritic, painful hips, making Ruby his first stem cell therapy case in Summit County.
Dr. Gaynor and Rubys owners were both pleased with the successful outcome of the procedure, and had the opportunity to share during her 30 day recheck. Ruby is back! She has regained her playfulness, sassy, bossy, collie attitude. She has resumed going for car rides and can stand up and stabilize herself. She jumps out of the car without hesitation. She ascends and descends the stairs like she used to, her owners remarked about Rubys physical performance.
Her entire disposition and expressions are so animated and relaxed. I forgot how she used to smile, hold her ears up, and have endless energy. She is definitely out of pain, and her mobility is at 80%! The best part is, that she continues to heal and get stronger each week. This procedure is hands down the most effective, least traumatic therapy available, especially for the older dog, Rubys owners expressed.
About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.
See the original post here:
In India, stem cell biz may touch $8 b by 2015
Mumbai, March 21:
Stem cells are set to be a major branch of medical treatment, says Cipla Chairman YK Hamied. Regenerative medicine, or cell therapy, is a rapidly emerging area of biomedical research and would be an ideal supplement for existing medical treatments, he added.
Cell therapy refers to treatments that are founded on the concept of producing new cells to replace malfunctioning or damaged cells as a vehicle to treat disease and injury.
We have a research unit in Malaysia that is conducting research on stem cells, Hamied said while speaking about Stempeutics Research with which it has an alliance. The Manipal Group-promoted Stempeutics is developing stem cell-based medicinal products with facilities in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Bangalore.
We are partners in the Bangalore company, he said. The enormous potential of stem cells in the treatment of chronic and several incurable diseases is boosting the overall stem cells therapy market, he added.
Poised to reach an estimated $88.3 billion by 2015, the global stem cells market has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 14.8 per cent, driven by the increasing demand of stem cell therapy.
In India, the stem cell business is expected to touch $8 billion (48,880 crore today) by 2015. With three phase II clinical trials in progress in India for critical limb Ischemia (meaning restriction in blood supply to tissues), osteoarthritis and liver cirrhosis Stempeutics aims to bring the first product into the Indian and Malaysian markets by 2015.
Under the alliance, Cipla has invested over 50 crore in Stempeutics, with a focus on research of stem cell-based products, and has done something similar in China, where it has streamlined its investments towards its core business. The drug-maker recently exited a significant part of its investment in its Chinese partner Desano Holdings.
Despite the lack of legislation and awareness, besides quality and ethical issues that have deterred growth of the stem cell therapy business in India, the country remains the top priority for the Mumbai-based drug-maker, the Cipla Chairman told Business Line.
View post:
Hip conditions treated with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP
In this video, Ross Hauser, MD discusses some of the most common hip conditions that we treat at Caring Medical with Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plas...
By: Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services
Read the original post:
Hip conditions treated with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP - Video
Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy
Short fun video about Stemaid #39;s Embryonic Stem Cells Visit http://www.stemaid.com.
By: stemaid
Originally posted here:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), sustained by close to 2 million Americans annually, including military personnel, are debilitating and devastating for patients and their families. Regardless of severity, those with TBI can suffer a range of motor, behavioral, intellectual and cognitive disabilities over the short or long term. Sadly, clinical treatments for TBI are few and largely ineffective.
In an effort to find an effective therapy, neuroscientists at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, have conducted several preclinical studies aimed at finding combination therapies to improve TBI outcomes.
In their study of several different therapies -- alone and in combination -- applied to laboratory rats modeled with TBI, USF researchers found that a combination of human umbilical cord blood cells (hUBCs) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a growth factor, was more therapeutic than either administered alone, or each with saline, or saline alone.
The study appeared in a recent issue of PLoS ONE.
"Chronic TBI is typically associated with major secondary molecular injuries, including chronic neuroinflammation, which not only contribute to the death of neuronal cells in the central nervous system, but also impede any natural repair mechanism," said study lead author Cesar V. Borlongan, PhD, professor of neurosurgery and director of USF's Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair. "In our study, we used hUBCs and G-CSF alone and in combination. In previous studies, hUBCs have been shown to suppress inflammation, and G-CSF is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for patients with stroke or Alzheimer's disease."
Their stand-alone effects have a therapeutic potential for TBI, based on results from previous studies. For example, G-CSF has shown an ability to mobilize stem cells from bone marrow and then infiltrate injured tissues, promoting self-repair of neural cells, while hUBCs have been shown to suppress inflammation and promote cell growth.
The involvement of the immune system in the central nervous system to either stimulate repair or enhance molecular damage has been recognized as key to the progression of many neurological disorders, including TBI, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and some autoimmune diseases, the researchers report. Increased expression of MHCII positive cells -- cell members that secrete a family of molecules mediating interactions between the immune system's white blood cells -- has been directly linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in TBI.
"Our results showed that the combined therapy of hUBCs and G-CSF significantly reduced the TBI-induced loss of neuronal cells in the hippocampus," said Borlongan. "Therapy with hUBCs and G-CSF alone or in combination produced beneficial results in animals with experimental TBI. G-CSF alone produced only short-lived benefits, while hUBCs alone afforded more robust and stable improvements. However, their combination offered the best motor improvement in the laboratory animals."
"This outcome may indicate that the stem cells had more widespread biological action than the drug therapy," said Paul R. Sanberg, distinguished professor at USF and principal investigator of the Department of Defense funded project. "Regardless, their combination had an apparent synergistic effect and resulted in the most effective amelioration of TBI-induced behavioral deficits."
The researchers concluded that additional studies of this combination therapy are warranted in order to better understand their modes of action. While this research focused on motor improvements, they suggested that future combination therapy research should also include analysis of cognitive improvement in the laboratory animals modeled with TBI.
Continue reading here:
Stem cell combination therapy improves traumatic brain injury outcomes
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
20-Mar-2014
Contact: Anne DeLotto Baier abaier@health.usf.edu 813-974-3303 University of South Florida (USF Innovation)
Tampa, FL (Mar. 20, 2014) Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), sustained by close to 2 million Americans annually, including military personnel, are debilitating and devastating for patients and their families. Regardless of severity, those with TBI can suffer a range of motor, behavioral, intellectual and cognitive disabilities over the short or long term. Sadly, clinical treatments for TBI are few and largely ineffective.
In an effort to find an effective therapy, neuroscientists at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, have conducted several preclinical studies aimed at finding combination therapies to improve TBI outcomes.
In their study of several different therapiesalone and in combinationapplied to laboratory rats modeled with TBI, USF researchers found that a combination of human umbilical cord blood cells (hUBCs) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a growth factor, was more therapeutic than either administered alone, or each with saline, or saline alone.
The study appeared in a recent issue of PLoS ONE.
"Chronic TBI is typically associated with major secondary molecular injuries, including chronic neuroinflammation, which not only contribute to the death of neuronal cells in the central nervous system, but also impede any natural repair mechanism," said study lead author Cesar V. Borlongan, PhD, professor of neurosurgery and director of USF's Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair. "In our study, we used hUBCs and G-CSF alone and in combination. In previous studies, hUBCs have been shown to suppress inflammation, and G-CSF is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for patients with stroke or Alzheimer's disease."
Their stand-alone effects have a therapeutic potential for TBI, based on results from previous studies. For example, G-CSF has shown an ability to mobilize stem cells from bone marrow and then infiltrate injured tissues, promoting self-repair of neural cells, while hUBCs have been shown to suppress inflammation and promote cell growth.
The involvement of the immune system in the central nervous system to either stimulate repair or enhance molecular damage has been recognized as key to the progression of many neurological disorders, including TBI, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and some autoimmune diseases, the researchers report. Increased expression of MHCII positive cellscell members that secrete a family of molecules mediating interactions between the immune system's white blood cellshas been directly linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in TBI.
Go here to read the rest:
USF study finds stem cell combination therapy improves traumatic brain injury outcomes
Scientists at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) have developed a method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a single drop of finger-pricked blood. The method also enables donors to collect their own blood samples, which they can then send to a laboratory for further processing. The easy access to blood samples using the new technique could potentially boost the recruitment of greater numbers and diversities of donors, and could lead to the establishment of large-scale hiPSC banks.
By genetic reprogramming, matured human cells, usually blood cells, can be transformed into hiPSCs. As hiPSCs exhibit properties remarkably similar to human embryonic stem cells, they are invaluable resources for basic research, drug discovery and cell therapy. In countries like Japan, USA and UK, a number of hiPSC bank initiatives have sprung up to make hiPSCs available for stem cell research and medical studies.
Current sample collection for reprogramming into hiPSCs include invasive measures such as collecting cells from the bone marrow or skin, which may put off many potential donors. Although hiPSCs may also be generated from blood cells, large quantities of blood are usually required. In the paper published online on the Stem Cell Translational Medicine journal, scientists at IMCB showed for the first time that single-drop volumes of blood are sufficient for reprogramming into hiPSCs. The finger-prick technique is the world's first to use only a drop of finger-pricked blood to yield hiPSCs with high efficiency. A patent has been filed for the innovation.
The accessibility of the new technique is further enhanced with a DIY sample collection approach. Donors may collect their own finger-pricked blood, which they can then store and send it to a laboratory for reprogramming. The blood sample remains stable for 48 hours and can be expanded for 12 days in culture, which therefore extends the finger-prick technique to a wide range of geographical regions for recruitment of donors with varied ethnicities, genotypes and diseases.
By integrating it with the hiPSC bank initiatives, the finger-prick technique paves the way for establishing diverse and fully characterised hiPSC banking for stem cell research. The potential access to a wide range of hiPSCs could also replace the use of embryonic stem cells, which are less accessible. It could also facilitate the set-up of a small hiPSC bank in Singapore to study targeted local diseases.
Dr Loh Yuin Han Jonathan, Principal Investigator at IMCB and lead scientist for the finger-prick hiPSC technique, said, "It all began when we wondered if we could reduce the volume of blood used for reprogramming. We then tested if donors could collect their own blood sample in a normal room environment and store it. Our finger-prick technique, in fact, utilised less than a drop of finger-pricked blood. The remaining blood could even be used for DNA sequencing and other blood tests."
Dr Stuart Alexander Cook, Senior Consultant at the National Heart Centre Singapore and co-author of the paper, said "We were able to differentiate the hiPSCs reprogrammed from Jonathan's finger-prick technique, into functional heart cells. This is a well-designed, applicable technique that can unlock unrealized potential of biobanks around the world for hiPSC studies at a scale that was previously not possible."
Prof Hong Wanjin, Executive Director at IMCB, said "Research on hiPSCs is now highly sought-after, given its potential to be used as a model for studying human diseases and for regenerative medicine. Translational research and technology innovations are constantly encouraged at IMCB and this new technique is very timely. We hope to eventually help the scientific community gain greater accessibility to hiPSCs for stem cell research through this innovation."
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by A*STAR. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Here is the original post:
A variety of research studies are underway at area medical schools and hospitals, from figuring out why lung transplants arent as successful as other organ transplants to whether stem cell therapy can help avoid amputations.
Using drugs to broadly suppress the immune system helps the body accept organ transplants of hearts, livers and kidneys. But not so with lung transplants, new research at Washington University School of Medicine suggests.
In what researchers call a surprising discovery, newly transplanted lungs in mice were more likely to be rejected if key immune cells called memory T cells were missing. Typically, memory T cells are knocked down with immunosuppressive drugs.
Memory T cells patrol the lungs for invaders from the environment such as viruses and bacteria. When researchers infused memory T cells into mice with lung transplants, the cells released signals that encouraged the immune system to accept the lung.
The research may help partly explain why lung transplants are not as successful as other organ transplants. Five years after lung transplants, only half are still functioning, figures show.
Researchers want to discover how to target immunosuppression in lung transplants in a way that would help memory T cells thrive while eliminating other T cells that are harmful.
Also at Washington U., researchers have found that a follow-up surgery after a stroke to clear fatty deposits from the neck should be delayed if the patient was recently treated with the clot-busting drug tPA.
After a stroke, physicians scan two large blood vessels in the neck, which provide much of brains blood supply. If one is more than 50 percent blocked with plaque, doctors commonly recommend surgical removal of the plaque called carotid endarterectomy a few days after the stroke to help reduce the chance a fragment will break free and cause another stroke.
Analyzing outcomes of 142 patients, researchers found those who received the surgery a few days after being treated with tPA were at higher risk for bleeding complications in the brain.
It may be that tPA caused microhemorrhages in the brain that surgery could worsen without allowing time for the blood vessels to heal; or tPA could be activating a molecular chain reaction that temporarily increases the risk of bleeding in the brain.
Go here to read the rest:
In the lab: Researchers uncovering clues to lung transplants and more
Stem cell therapy -- beyond the headlines: Timothy Henry at TEDxGrandForks
There is considerable excitement about the use of stem cells for cardiovascular disease. Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the unique property to self-...
By: TEDx Talks
Follow this link:
Stem cell therapy -- beyond the headlines: Timothy Henry at TEDxGrandForks - Video