Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Published: March. 22, 2012 at 4:15 PM

LANSING, Mich., March 22 (UPI) -- Republican state legislators say the University of Michigan could lose some funding if it does not answer questions about stem cell research.

Language was attached to last year's budget that requires the university to inform the legislature how many stem cell lines it has created and has on hand as well as numbers of embryos and research projects.

Lawmakers on a subcommittee dealing with the issue accused university officials of "thumbing their nose" at the Legislature, the Detroit Free Press reported.

They have said the university could be stripped of some state aid.

"If we roll over, I think it will have a precedent effect, and we'd be really weakening the power of the Legislature," said state Rep. Kevin Cotter, a Republican from Mount Pleasant.

The university is the only one in the state involved in stem cell research. President Mary Sue Coleman said the university sent 50 to 60 pages of information on stem cell research because officials wanted to put the numbers in context. But legislators complain the specific numbers the university is required to give were not there.

"We believe it's just not possible to boil down this incredibly important work to a series of data points," said Rick Fitzgerald, a university spokesman. "We are emphatic about putting our stem-cell research in the context of its potential to cure diseases and save lives. That's what we did when we provided a bit more information than what the Legislature sought."

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U. of Mich. in row on stem cell research

Scientists in SA have generated non-embryonic stem cells for the first time, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced on Tuesday.

These "induced adult pluripotent stem cells" were developed from adult skin cells and can be prompted to grow into any type of adult cell, such as those in the heart or brain.

The technology is important for research into regenerative medicine, but is not yet widely used.

While the technology is not novel, the development of the capacity to grow these stem cells in SA is important for researchers investigating diseases affecting Africans, said CSIR post-doctoral fellow Janine Scholefield. The CSIR had replicated techniques devised by Japanese researchers in 2007.

"Cutting-edge medical research is not useful to Africans if knowledge is being created and applied only in the developed world," said CSIR head of gene expression and biophysics Musa Mhlanga. "Given the high disease burden in Africa, our aim is to become creators of knowledge, as well as innovators and expert practitioners of the newest and best technologies," The CSIR said that adult-generated stem cells were more acceptable to people who objected to using stem cells from embryos.

"The other critical thing is the cells (that will be grown) are an exact genetic match to the person who donated the skin cells, so we can circumvent the problem of tissue rejection," Dr Scholefield said.

"We can also develop models of disease in a petri dish in the laboratory," she said, explaining that this would enable researchers to investigate rare diseases without the need for human subjects.

"We are getting closer to using stem cells as part of routine medical practice, but are still a long way off from using these cells for degenerative diseases of the central nervous system," said Michael Pepper, professor of i mmunology at the University of Pretoria.

Prof Pepper said there were several hundred clinical trials using stem cells under way around the world, but most were still at an early stage.

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SA cracks stem cell conundrum

Public release date: 22-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mika Ono mikaono@scripps.edu 858-784-2052 Scripps Research Institute

LA JOLLA, CA March 22, 2012 The Scripps Research Institute is one of the institutions that will receive funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)the state stem cell agency created by proposition 71to foster creativity and scientific innovation in high school students and fund basic stem cell discoveries, CIRM has announced.

The $206,250 grant will enable Scripps Research to expand its high school summer internship program on the La Jolla, California campus to include 10 participants with a specific interest in stem cell research.

"We are delighted that CIRM has chosen to fund our program," said James R. Williamson, dean of graduate and postgraduate studies. "We hope the summer internships will inspire some talented students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in stem cell research and others to participate in our community with the benefit of first-hand experience with science."

The funding to Scripps Research and eight other institutions extends last year's CIRM Creativity Awards pilot program, aimed at encouraging California's young people to pursue careers developing the next generation of stem cell therapies. Other institutions to receive funding in this round include: the City of Hope, the University of Southern California, Stanford University, Children's Hospital & Research Center (Oakland), The J. David Gladstone Institutes, University of California (UC) Santa Barbara, UC San Francisco, and UC Davis.

A Three-Part Program

Overseen by Director of Education Dawn Eastmond, PhD, and Outreach Coordinator Marisela Chevez, the Scripps Research program rolls out in three phases.

First, the high school students attend a series of enrichment tutorials in the spring. Organized by Scripps Research Kellogg School of Science and Technology doctoral students, the tutorials cover various aspects of modern molecular biology and chemistryfrom chemistry to cell biology.

Next, the interns participate in a one-week training session at the Southern California Biotechnology Center at Miramar College, made possible by a partnership with the Life Science Summer Institute and sponsored by the San Diego Workforce Partnership and BIOCOM. In the course, which can count as two college credits, students learn basic lab procedures and various soft skills, including documentation, notebook entry, and lab safety.

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Scripps Research Institute high school program receives CIRM grant

SACRAMENTO (KABC) -- Eight years ago voters agreed to fund California's stem cell agency, hoping it would yield new treatments for various conditions. Now the agency is running out of funds and any practical cures are still years away.

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is about to enter a crucial stage in stem cell research: going to clinical trials. The most promising experiments could cure diabetes, HIV, sickle-cell anemia and blindness in the elderly.

"You don't really get to find out whether the potential of the treatment is really going to be effective until you start to treat the patients," said Alan Trounson, president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

CIRM's board is discussing how much to allocate for that trial phase. Through voter-approved bonds under Proposition 71 (The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act), it has already given out or spent half of the $3 billion, but despite the medical promise, there's little to show for it beyond basic research and several high-tech laboratories.

But the agency says the breakthroughs will come over the next few years, way ahead of the rest of the world.

"This would all be happening in California, all driven by this Proposition 71 money," said Trounson.

The bond money is expected to last only several more years. One option is to ask voters to approve more bonds, something taxpayer groups oppose.

"When people think about bond financing, they think about a bridge, a school, a canal," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "But stem cell research is just kind of out there."

Rancher Diana Souza says it would be a shame to stop public funding of stem cell research. Through trials at UC Davis Medical Center not financed by Prop. 71 money, she says stem cells helped restore full use of her severely fractured arm.

"I hope they can continue doing this because it is a miracle. It does work. And I have a good arm to prove it," said Souza.

Originally posted here:
Proposition 71 stem cell research funds drying up

Written by Nannette Miranda, ABC7

SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, CIRM, is about to enter a crucial stage in stem cell research: going to clinical trials.

The most promising experiments could cure: diabetes, HIV, sickle cell and blindness in the elderly.

"You don't really get to find out whether the potential of the treatment is really going to be effective until you start with patients, the human subjects," CIRM's Alan Trounson said.

CIRM's board is discussing how much to allocate for that trial phase.

Through voter-approved bonds under Proposition 71, it has already given out or spent half of the $3 billion, but despite the medical promise, there's little to show for it beyond basic research and several high-tech labs.

But the agency said the breakthroughs will come over the next few years, way ahead of the rest of the world.

"This would all be happening in California, all driven by this Proposition 71 money," Trounson said.

The bond money is expected to last only several more years.

One option is to ask voters to approve more bonds, something taxpayer groups oppose.

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California institute fights to continue stem cell research

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2fee68d4/progenitor_and_ste) has announced the addition of Woodhead Publishing Ltd's new book "Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies" to their offering.

Progenitor and stem cells have the ability to renew themselves and change into a variety of specialised types, making them ideal materials for therapy and regenerative medicine. "Progenitor and stem cell technologies and therapies" reviews the range of progenitor and stem cells available and their therapeutic application.

Part one reviews basic principles for the culture of stem cells before discussing technologies for particular cell types. These include human embryonic, induced pluripotent, amniotic and placental, cord and multipotent stem cells. Part two discusses wider issues such as intellectual property, regulation and commercialisation of stem cell technologies and therapies. The final part of the book considers the therapeutic use of stem and progenitor cells. Chapters review the use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells, bone marrow, auditory and oral cavity stem cells. Other chapters cover the use of stem cells in therapies in various clinical areas, including lung, cartilage, urologic, nerve and cardiac repair.

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, "Progenitor and stem cell technologies and therapies" is a standard reference for both those researching in cell and tissue biology and engineering as well as medical practitioners investigating the therapeutic use of this important technology.

Key Features:

- Reviews the range of progenitor and stem cells available and outlines their therapeutic application

- Examines the basic principles for the culture of stem cells before discussing technologies for particular cell types, including human embryonic, induced pluripotent, amniotic and placental, cord and multipotent stem cells

- Includes a discussion of wider issues such as intellectual property, regulation and commercialisation of stem cell technologies and therapies

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2fee68d4/progenitor_and_ste

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Research and Markets: Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies Reviews the Range Of Progenitor and Stem ...

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -03/21/12)- Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTCQB: ENTB.PK - News) (Pinksheets: ENTB.PK - News)

Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTCQB: ENTB.PK - News) (Pinksheets: ENTB.PK - News) and RenovoCyte LLC announced they have treated 8 canine patients of a 10 dog pilot study utilizing Canine Endometrial Regenerative Cells (CERC) licensed from Medistem Inc. (Pinksheets: MEDS.PK - News) in the treatment of canine osteoarthritis.

Previously, Entest announced the treatment of the first canine patient on November 18, 2011. Since that time Entest's McDonald Animal Hospital has treated 8 dogs in its 10 Dog Pilot Study with RenovoCyte. To date, all of the dogs participating in this study have shown dramatic improvement in their mobility and apparent reduction of pain.

Dr. Greg McDonald, Chief Veterinarian at McDonald Animal Hospital, said, "50 million CERC stem cells have been injected intravenously into eight dogs. Each dog selected for this study showed signs of arthritis. Follow-up blood tests, urinalysis and physical exams are now being scheduled for the patients that have already been treated. So far, all these canine patients have shown improvement."

Entest BioMedical Chairman David Koos stated, "Osteoarthritis is considered one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs, occurring in up to 30% of all dogs. It is caused by a deterioration of joint cartilage, followed by pain and loss of range of motion of the joint. We expect this treatment to relieve these animals from the pain associated with arthritis. This has extraordinary possibilities for dogs and may lead the way for human treatment of arthritic pain."

The CERC is a "universal donor" stem cell product that does not require matching with the recipient allowing for the generation of standardized products that can be delivered to the office of the veterinarian ready for injection. This is in stark contrast to current stem cell therapies utilized in veterinary applications which require the extraction, manipulation, and subsequent implantation of tissue from the animal being treated. CERC is the canine equivalent of Medistem's Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC). Medistem was recently granted approval from the FDA to initiate a clinical trial in human patients using its ERCs.

"We are extremely pleased with our research relationship with Entest BioMedical. This study of canine pets suffering from naturally occurring osteoarthritis is a better test model than laboratory induced disease because it will give us the opportunity for long term follow up of these patients. RenovoCyte sees this study as part of the supporting documentation that will be needed to obtain FDA approval for widespread usage of this therapy," said Shelly Zacharias, DVM, Director of Veterinary Operations, RenovoCyte, LLC.

A spokesperson for Entest noted the Company is also currently conducting a 10 dog safety study on its immune-therapeutic cancer vaccine for dogs, having treated 3 dogs so far.

About Entest BioMedical Inc.:Entest BioMedical Inc. (http://www.entestbio.com) is a veterinary biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that harness the animal's own reparative / immunological mechanisms. The Company's products include an immuno-therapeutic cancer vaccine for canines (ImenVax). ImenVax is less invasive and less traumatic in treating cancer. Additionally, the Company serves as the contract research organization conducting a pilot study on a stem cell based canine osteoarthritis treatment (developed by RenovoCyte LLC) utilizing a 'universal donor' stem cell. Entest is also building a network of veterinary hospitals (with its initial location in Santa Barbara, CA and anticipates acquiring other veterinary hospitals in California) -- which serve as distribution channels for its products.

DisclaimerThis news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks.

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Entest BioMedical Excited With Progress on 10 Dog Pilot Study of "Universal Donor" Stem Cell Treatment for Canine ...

TUESDAY, March 20 (HealthDay News) -- A novel technique that uses a kidney transplant recipient's own stem cells may someday replace or reduce the initial use of anti-rejection medications, new research suggests.

Six months after receiving a kidney transplant, only about 8 percent of people given their own mesenchymal stem cells experienced rejection compared with almost 22 percent of people on the standard anti-rejection drugs, according to the study.

"Mesenchymal stem cells are stem cells that can be differentiated into a variety of cells," explained Dr. Camillo Ricordi, study senior author and director of the Cell Transplant Center and Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

"If you infuse mesenchymal stem cells at the time of the transplant, you could replace the use of powerful anti-rejection drugs, and maybe replace immunosuppressants altogether," he said. This technique could be used in the transplantation of islet cells (in the pancreas) for people with type 1 diabetes, and for other organ transplants, such as the liver, he added.

The people given their own stem cells also had improved kidney function earlier after transplant, Ricordi said.

Results of the study appear in the March 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

One of the biggest remaining hurdles in organ transplantation remains the need for powerful anti-rejection and immune-suppressing medications after the transplant.

"Basically, the way we prevent kidney rejections is by putting you on very powerful anti-rejection drugs and immunosuppressive agents to prevent your cells from attacking the foreign organ," said Dr. Robert Provenzano, chair of the department of nephrology, hypertension and transplantation at St. John Providence Health System in Detroit. "But, the current standard has some problems, like an increased risk of infections and the possibility of creating a cancer."

The body's immune system sends out surveillance cells to protect the body against foreign invaders, such as a bacteria, virus or, in this case, a new organ, Provenzano said. The current method of preventing these cells from attacking the new organ is essentially to destroy the surveillance cells. But mesenchymal cells can naturally suppress those surveillance cells so they don't attack, he said.

To see if this suppression would be enough to prevent rejection, Ricordi and his colleagues, including researchers from Xiamen University in China, recruited 159 people with serious kidney disease who were on dialysis. They ranged in age from 18 to 61.

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Stem Cell Therapy Could Boost Kidney Transplant Success: Study

Public release date: 21-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ingrid L. Thomas ithomas@aadronline.org 703-299-8084 International & American Associations for Dental Research

Tampa, Fla., USA On March 23, during the 41st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), held in conjunction with the 36th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, a symposium titled "TMJ: Stem Cell Biology and Engineering toward Clinical Translation" will provide a rare forum for multidisciplinary discussion of the biology, engineering and clinical translation of fundamental discoveries towards novel clinical therapy. The symposium is co-sponsored by the Craniofacial Biology, Mineralized Tissue and Neuroscience Scientific Research Groups of the International Association for Dental Research. The presentations in this multidisciplinary symposium will represent broad and yet comprehensive approaches toward the understanding of the origin, homeostasis, differentiation, hormonal regulation and bioengineering of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tissues.

TMJ disorders are a poorly understood cluster of diseases, ranging from neuromuscular pain to severe forms of arthritis. Recently, stem/progenitor cells have been identified in TMJ disc and condyle, with potential origin from neural crest cells in development. Putative TMJ stem/progenitor cells are subjected to local, hormonal and other systemic factors in homeostasis in multiple processes that warrant better elucidation. In parallel, there is an acute demand in the clinical community for the regeneration of various TMJ components, including the disc, condyle, synovium and the mandible.

This symposium will not only provide new aspects of a timely and under-studied subject of TMJ biology and therapeutics, but also use TMJ as a model for the study of other dental and craniofacial structures and diseases.

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This is a summary of sequence #87 titled "TMJ: Stem Cell Biology and Engineering toward Clinical Translation" which will feature abstracts to be presented by M. Embree, M. Detamore, A. Le and S. Kapila at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research. This symposium will take place at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, in room 10 of the Tampa Convention Center.

About the American Association for Dental Research

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR), headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit organization with nearly 4,000 members in the United States. Its mission is: (1) to advance research and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health; (2) to support and represent the oral health research community; and (3) to facilitate the communication and application of research findings. AADR is the largest Division of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).

To learn more about the AADR, visit http://www.aadronline.org.

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TMJ: Stem cell biology and engineering toward clinical translation

XYRCOS Provides Advanced Research Capabilities in a Sleek New Design With Improved Fluorescence, Optics and RED-i Target Locator Built Directly Inside Microscope Objective

BEVERLY, MA and TORONTO--(Marketwire - Mar 20, 2012) - Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: HTL), a leading provider of precision laser devices and advanced imaging systems for the fertility, stem cell and developmental biology research markets, today announced the launch of its leading-edge XYRCOS laser system for advanced research applications. The XYRCOS laser offers a significant advance in integrated laser optics, providing additional functionality, increased resolution and compatibility with all major microscope models.

The elegant and sleek new design of the XYRCOS is engineered to have the laser and RED-i target locator built directly inside the objective, providing unparalleled precision while saving researchers from tedious alignment procedures. The improved working distance of the XYRCOS laser objective provides researchers with more compatibility and flexibility to integrate with existing laboratory equipment. The laser also features enhanced UV transmission/fluorescence, which is compatible with many fluorescing stains used in advanced research applications. The XYRCOS offers additional benefits for cutting-edge embryo micromanipulation applications such as the creation of transgenic animals, gene targeting, and stem cell research including blastocyst injection, 8-cell injection, and laser-assisted animal model IVF.

"Built on the same hardware platform as our popular turret-mounted lasers, the new XYRCOS offers researchers an elegant laser design that enables intricate and delicate cell micromanipulation capabilities. Already installed at some of our industry-leading beta site customers, the XYRCOS laser has been used in some of today's most advanced and celebrated scientific research," said David Wolf, President, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd. "The improved image quality, better working distance and enhanced fluorescence provides researchers with significant advantages in working with advanced applications such as stem cell research and developmental biology, and has already proven effective in important research studies such as reprogramming cells."

"With its compact design, long working distance and excellent optics, the new XYRCOS laser provides a flexible research tool that can be used with any lab microscope and fits easily into the current daily workflow," said Diarmaid Douglas-Hamilton, Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Co-founder of Hamilton Thorne. "The improved fluorescence has been especially useful in the lab since the XYRCOS installs directly onto the turret, leaving both the fluorescence and filter cube ports free for normal use, providing significant advantages in how cells can be viewed and analyzed."

The XYRCOS laser system will be available in both 40X and 20X objectives, and will also have the popular Staccato multi-pulse laser activation software as an additional feature option. Due to its smaller footprint, the XYRCOS allows full use of the turret and fits into all major microscopes, including newer and upright microscopes. The XYRCOS is available for non-clinical research use only.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (www.hamiltonthorne.com)

Hamilton Thorne designs, manufactures and distributes precision laser devices and advanced imaging systems for the fertility, stem cell and development biology research markets. It provides novel solutions for Life Science that reduce cost, increase productivity, improve results and enable research breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, stem cell research and fertility markets. Hamilton Thorne's laser products attach to standard inverted microscopes and operate as robotic micro-surgeons, enabling a wide array of scientific applications and IVF procedures. Its imaging systems improve outcomes in human IVF clinics and animal breeding facilities and provide high-end toxicology analyses.

Hamilton Thorne's growing customer base includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, fertility clinics, university research centers, and other commercial and academic research establishments worldwide. Current customers include world-leading research labs such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, McGill, DuPont, Monsanto, Charles River Labs, Jackson Labs, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Oxford and Cambridge.

Neither the Toronto Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Hamilton Thorne Launches XYRCOS(TM) Laser System for Research Applications Including Stem Cell Research, Gene ...