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Replacing Body Parts
Custom-made hearts, lungs, kidneys, and other organs could revolutionize organ transplantation. Scientists are learning how to grow custom-made body parts so they can be ready when you—and your vital organs—start falling apart. At the University of Minnesota, Doris Taylor and her colleagues strip organs of their cells, reseed the organ “skeletons” with living cells, and watch as the organs start working right in front of their eyes. WATCH this amazing Nova ScienceNOW episode Aired January 26, 2011 on PBS Recommend on FacebookTell a friend
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Real benefits for biologists—if they do it right
Stem-Cell Blogger October 2009 was a tough month for Paul Knoepfler. First, Nature shut down one of his favorite blogs, the Niche, which he had followed avidly in his work as a stem-cell researcher at UC Davis. Worse, he was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer at the age of 42. Paul wrote a fascinating editorial in Nature about how his battle with cancer gave him the courage to start blogging about stem cells. “After all, how hard can blogging be when compared with facing cancer?” he asked. It turns out that biologists are often extremely reluctant to blog about their work. They fret that they’ll antagonize adversaries, court needless controversy, publish errors that have to…
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Reminder of Hope for Damaged Hearts on Valentine’s Day
Stem Cell Therapy Could Regenerate Damaged Heart Muscle After Heart Attacks A promising stem cell therapy approach could soon provide a way to regenerate heart muscle damaged by heart attacks. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and The Johns Hopkins University harvested stem cells from the hearts of 17 heart attack patients and after prepping the cells, infused them back into the patients’ hearts. Their study is published in the current issue of The Lancet. The patients received the stem cell infusions about three months after their heart attacks. Researchers found that six months after treatment, patients had significantly less scarring of the heart muscle and also showed a considerable increase the amount of healthy heart…
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Stem Cell Line Placed On National Registry for Researchers
The University of Michigan’s first human embryonic stem cell line will be placed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s registry, making the cells available for federally-funded research. It is the first of the stem cell lines derived at the University of Michigan to be placed on the registry. The line, known as UM4-6, is a genetically normal line, derived in October 2010 from a cluster of about 30 cells removed from a donated five-day-old embryo roughly the size of the period at the end of this sentence. That embryo was created for reproduction but was no longer needed for that purpose and was therefore about to be discarded. U-M is among just a handful…
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More Results in for Autologous Heart Cells
Cardiac stem-cells increase viable myocardium post-MI: CADUCEUS Authors of a small study using cardiac-derived stem cells in “convalescent” MI patients say they’ve uncovered some of the first true evidence that the heart can regenerate, describing a new method that, they say, led to “unprecedented” improvements in viable heart muscle . Results of the CADUCEUS study, published online February 13, 2012 in the Lancet, showed not only that scar size was reduced on MRI at six months—something also seen in previous research—but also that the amount of viable heart mass and regional contractility were also improved. Dr Raj R Makkar (Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA) and colleagues used a proprietary technique to harvest autologous heart…
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Texas Medical Board Moves to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Use
AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board Friday approved a tentative policy regulating the use of adult stem cells, the experimental therapy Gov. Rick Perry drew criticism for undergoing for his ailing back last year. “This policy will afford the public protection that doesn’t exist now for products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Dr. Irwin Zeitler, president of the board. “At the same time, it doesn’t hinder progress. Hundreds of studies have shown the promise of adult stem cells.” Under a policy that will come up for final approval April 13, Texas doctors would be authorized to provide stem cell therapy only if an independent review committee that assesses research trials for patient safety grants permission. The…
Texas
Texas Medical Board Moves to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Use
AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board Friday approved a tentative policy regulating the use of adult stem cells, the experimental therapy Gov. Rick Perry drew criticism for undergoing for his ailing back last year. “This policy will afford the public protection that doesn’t exist now for products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Dr. Irwin Zeitler, president of the board. “At the same time, it doesn’t hinder progress. Hundreds of studies have shown the promise of adult stem cells.” Under a policy that will come up for final approval April 13, Texas doctors would be authorized to provide stem cell therapy only if an independent review committee that assesses research trials for patient safety grants permission. The…
Heart Stop Beating Premiers at Sundance
Two Houston surgeons have successfully implanted the world’s first continuous-flow artificial heart in a human patient, a significant advance that promises a smaller and much more durable alternative to existing artificial hearts. Drs. Bud Frazier and Billy Cohn took out the dead heart of 55-year-old Craig A. Lewis on March 10 at the Texas Heart Institute. After harmful proteins built up in his heart to the point it could no longer work, Lewis lived only with the aid of external breathing, dialysis and heart support machines. The Houston man had maybe a day to live when Frazier and Cohn were given the opportunity to test their device — a pair of turbines cobbled together to…
Leading the Texans’ Fight Against Heart Disease
James T. Willerson describes himself as a proud Texan. He was born in the small town of Lampasas, grew up in San Antonio, studied in Austin, and has spent the majority of his medical career in Dallas and Houston—save for five years training in Boston and two at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Despite his strong attachment to the Lone Star State, however, his contribution to cardiovascular science is world-renowned. Indeed, in addition to his long list of U.S. honors, which include membership of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, a Distinguished Scientist Award from the American College of Cardiology, and both Distinguished Scientist and Gold Heart Awards from…
The Cell Society to meet in San Diego
The Cell Society is holding their 2nd Annual Meeting in San Diego February 17th and 18th. Cell Society’s Annual Clinical Meeting will continue in the tradition established at the 1stAnnual Meeting and will offer a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary, international clinical collaboration designed to enhance understanding and thought provoking insight into treatments and cures for disease and agonizing medical conditions. This year’s clinical focus will center on therapies particularly relevant to cardiology, neurology, orthopedic and plastic surgery. A full 73% of their 2012 conference program will be dedicated to evidence-based, accredited clinical discussion. The remainder will feature industry updates and relevant regulatory discourse and debate. The Cell Society firmly believes that cell therapies can enhance current…
Collaborating to Advance Medical Research Needs
Texans For Stem Cell Research (TSCR), a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer organization dedicated to the advancement of stem cell clinical applications for the treatment of disease and debilitating injury, and the CORE Health Foundation, a non-profit disability advocacy organization that facilitates brain injury research, announced their collaboration for a Feb. 3 Learn for Life event that will examine early results of a stem cell therapy clinical trial for acute stroke patients and discuss the potential of a stem cell research facility in the proposed medical school to be located in Austin, Texas. The Learn for Life event, “A Night with Dr. Sean I. Savitz,” will feature the renowned neuroscientist’s presentation on “Emerging Treatment of Stem…
New Children’s Research Institute at UTSW Breakthrough
Scientists with the new Children’s Research Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified the environment in which blood-forming stem cells survive and thrive within the body, an important step toward increasing the safety and effectiveness of bone-marrow transplantation. Institute investigators led by Dr. Sean Morrison asked which cells are responsible for the microenvironment that nurtures haematopoietic stem cells, which produce billions of new blood cells every day. The answer: endothelial and perivascular cells, which line blood vessels. “Although scientists have searched for decades to identify the stem cell home, this is the first study to reveal the cells that are functionally responsible for the maintenance of blood-forming stem cells in the body,” said Dr….
Texas Aims to Regenerate Hearts & Organs
World-Renowned Cell-Therapy Researcher, Doris Taylor, PhD, Joins Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Noted for Work to Regenerate Hearts, Other Organs Houston, Texas (January 25, 2012) – Officials at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (St. Luke’s) announced today that Doris Taylor, PhD, FAHA, FACC, one of the world’s leading cell therapy and cardiac regeneration scientists, will join THI beginning March 1, 2012. “Her work fits very well with our mission and goals, and she certainly helps to solidify THI as a leader in cell therapy, which is one of the most promising hopes for treating cardiovascular disease.” Dr. Taylor’s research includes: Cell and gene therapy for treatment of…
Commitment to Valvular Disease in Texas
Blase A. Carabello, MD, has been appointed Chief of Cardiology for both the Texas Heart Institute (THI) and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (St. Luke’s). Earlier this year, Dr. Carabello was chosen to head THI’s new Center for Heart Valve Disease. “Dr. Carabello is one of the world’s foremost experts on valvular heart disease, a serious and growing problem among Americans,” said THI President and Medical Director James. T. Willerson, MD. “Dr. Carabello is a major addition to our professional staff and we are pleased he has elected to join us and pursue efforts to educate and help people suffering from valvular disease and to lead new discovery into treating that disease.” Valvular heart disease is…
New approach for diabetes treaments?
New Class of Small Molecules May Lead to New Treatments for Diabetes LoneStar Heart Inc announced that it has acquired a worldwide exclusive license from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) to commercialize a new class of patented small molecules known as Isoxazoles that markedly increase insulin production in human pancreas cells no longer able to produce insulin. Activating the entire biochemical pathway involved in insulin production, the molecules may represent a new approach to developing treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Research at UT Southwestern has shown that, in addition to their potential application to diabetes, they may also modulate…
World News
Heart Stop Beating Premiers at Sundance
Two Houston surgeons have successfully implanted the world’s first continuous-flow artificial heart in a human patient, a significant advance that promises a smaller and much more durable alternative to existing artificial hearts. Drs. Bud Frazier and Billy Cohn took out the dead heart of 55-year-old Craig A. Lewis on March 10 at the Texas Heart Institute. After harmful proteins built up in his heart to the point it could no longer work, Lewis lived only with the aid of external breathing, dialysis and heart support machines. The Houston man had maybe a day to live when Frazier and Cohn were given the opportunity to test their device — a pair of turbines cobbled together to…
Texas Aims to Regenerate Hearts & Organs
World-Renowned Cell-Therapy Researcher, Doris Taylor, PhD, Joins Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Noted for Work to Regenerate Hearts, Other Organs Houston, Texas (January 25, 2012) – Officials at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (St. Luke’s) announced today that Doris Taylor, PhD, FAHA, FACC, one of the world’s leading cell therapy and cardiac regeneration scientists, will join THI beginning March 1, 2012. “Her work fits very well with our mission and goals, and she certainly helps to solidify THI as a leader in cell therapy, which is one of the most promising hopes for treating cardiovascular disease.” Dr. Taylor’s research includes: Cell and gene therapy for treatment of…
Synthetic Windpipe Used to Replace Cancerous One
Surgeons in Sweden have replaced the cancerous windpipe of a Maryland man with one made in a laboratory and seeded with the man’s cells. A trachea made from plastic, above, and seeded with stem cells was successfully implanted in a Baltimore man in Sweden. The windpipe, or trachea, made from minuscule plastic fibers and covered in stem cells taken from the man’s bone marrow, was implanted in November. The patient, Christopher Lyles, 30, whose tracheal cancer had progressed to the point where it was considered inoperable, arrived home in Baltimore on Wednesday. It was the second procedure of its kind and the first for an American. Dr. Macchiarini is a leader in the field of…
Developing community support for stem cell research
Qatar turns spotlight on religious options for stem cell science Manama: The latest in stem cell research, its applications for developing new therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases and policy options available within cultural, ethical, and religious parameters will be the focus of a conference in Qatar next month. The Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy, organized by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, will bring together scientists and experts from international and regional research and medical institutions and ethicists and policymakers. Stem cell science offers a large number of potential applications, including the prevention, diagnosis and treatment…
60 Minutes investigation: stem cell fraud
The Internet is full of websites selling unproven stem cell treatments for incurable illnesses. Scott Pelley confronts one disgraced doctor offering false hope to a family with a disabled child. Dr. Dan Ecklund claims he can treat dozens of diseases using stem cells. But there’s a problem. Ecklund is a disgraced doctor whose medical license was revoked in 2005. That hasn’t kept him from founding a company and a website that offer hope where science cannot. Scott Pelley investigates the lucrative business of miracle stem cell “cures.” It’s 21st century snake oil being peddled to desperate people, including the parents of one young boy, Adam Susser, who has cerebral palsy and is blind and…
Headlines
Real benefits for biologists—if they do it right
Stem-Cell Blogger October 2009 was a tough month for Paul Knoepfler. First, Nature shut down one of his favorite blogs, the Niche, which he had followed avidly in his work as a stem-cell researcher at UC Davis. Worse, he was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer at the age of 42. Paul wrote a fascinating editorial in Nature about how his battle with cancer gave him the courage to start blogging about stem cells. “After all, how hard can blogging be when compared with facing cancer?” he asked. It turns out that biologists are often extremely reluctant to blog about their work. They fret that they’ll antagonize adversaries, court needless controversy, publish errors that have to…
Stem Cell Line Placed On National Registry for Researchers
The University of Michigan’s first human embryonic stem cell line will be placed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s registry, making the cells available for federally-funded research. It is the first of the stem cell lines derived at the University of Michigan to be placed on the registry. The line, known as UM4-6, is a genetically normal line, derived in October 2010 from a cluster of about 30 cells removed from a donated five-day-old embryo roughly the size of the period at the end of this sentence. That embryo was created for reproduction but was no longer needed for that purpose and was therefore about to be discarded. U-M is among just a handful…
More Results in for Autologous Heart Cells
Cardiac stem-cells increase viable myocardium post-MI: CADUCEUS Authors of a small study using cardiac-derived stem cells in “convalescent” MI patients say they’ve uncovered some of the first true evidence that the heart can regenerate, describing a new method that, they say, led to “unprecedented” improvements in viable heart muscle . Results of the CADUCEUS study, published online February 13, 2012 in the Lancet, showed not only that scar size was reduced on MRI at six months—something also seen in previous research—but also that the amount of viable heart mass and regional contractility were also improved. Dr Raj R Makkar (Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA) and colleagues used a proprietary technique to harvest autologous heart…
Texas Medical Board Moves to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Use
AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board Friday approved a tentative policy regulating the use of adult stem cells, the experimental therapy Gov. Rick Perry drew criticism for undergoing for his ailing back last year. “This policy will afford the public protection that doesn’t exist now for products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Dr. Irwin Zeitler, president of the board. “At the same time, it doesn’t hinder progress. Hundreds of studies have shown the promise of adult stem cells.” Under a policy that will come up for final approval April 13, Texas doctors would be authorized to provide stem cell therapy only if an independent review committee that assesses research trials for patient safety grants permission. The…
Is Stem-Cell Research Keeping Charities On The Sidelines?
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has been in the news because of its clash with Planned Parenthood Federation of America. But another aspect of Komen’s activities hasn’t received much attention: Komen’s position on research using human embryonic stem cells. Despite raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research, Komen hasn’t funded any of this work, prompting questions about whether that decision is rooted in politics. “We find this disappointing and really fairly ironic for a group that is ‘for the cure’ to walk away from research that many scientists think could unlock cures for diseases, including cancer,” said Sean Tipton of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, which lobbies for…
Medicine’s next big thing
Scientists believe stem cells could hold the key to the treatment and cure of more than 70 major diseases and conditions. From broken hearts to severed spines to damaged brains, the hopes to heal them all could start from stem cells. “We had a major breakthrough,” said Dr. Deepak Srivastava of the Gladstone Institute. Researchers at the Gladstone Institute in San Francisco aren’t using embryonic stems cells, or even adult stem cells. Their stem cells come from skin. “It means in the future one might be able to create new heart cells, new lung cells, new spinal cord cells, starting with your own cells from your skin,” said Dr. Srivastava. They’ve already been able to…
Texas Aims to Regenerate Hearts & Organs
World-Renowned Cell-Therapy Researcher, Doris Taylor, PhD, Joins Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Noted for Work to Regenerate Hearts, Other Organs Houston, Texas (January 25, 2012) – Officials at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (St. Luke’s) announced today that Doris Taylor, PhD, FAHA, FACC, one of the world’s leading cell therapy and cardiac regeneration scientists, will join THI beginning March 1, 2012. “Her work fits very well with our mission and goals, and she certainly helps to solidify THI as a leader in cell therapy, which is one of the most promising hopes for treating cardiovascular disease.” Dr. Taylor’s research includes: Cell and gene therapy for treatment of…
New approach for diabetes treaments?
New Class of Small Molecules May Lead to New Treatments for Diabetes LoneStar Heart Inc announced that it has acquired a worldwide exclusive license from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) to commercialize a new class of patented small molecules known as Isoxazoles that markedly increase insulin production in human pancreas cells no longer able to produce insulin. Activating the entire biochemical pathway involved in insulin production, the molecules may represent a new approach to developing treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Research at UT Southwestern has shown that, in addition to their potential application to diabetes, they may also modulate…
1st FDA-Approved Study of Stem Cells to Treat Hearing Loss
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Cord Blood Registry® (CBR) are launching the first FDA-approved, Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss. The study, which will use patients’ stem cells from their own stored umbilical cord blood, is the first-of-its-kind, and has the potential to restore hearing. This follows evidence from published laboratory studies that cord blood helps repair damaged organs in the inner ear. The year-long study will follow 10 children, ages 6 weeks to 18 months, who have sustained post-birth hearing loss. Children who are deaf as a result of a genetic anomaly or syndrome are not eligible. To ensure consistency…
Finding ways to help the heart fix itself
When a heart gets damaged, the body can do little to repair it. Drugs might help, surgeons can bypass the wounded area and, in drastic cases, patients might get new ones. But scientists believe the best way for more people to survive heart disease is to find ways to help the heart fix itself. And two University of Toronto bioengineers are leading the search. Milica Radisic, 33, and Peter Zandstra, 41, have merged their expertise in the hopes of figuring out how stem cells can best be integrated into the heart and repair damaged tissue. Scientists have tried injecting stem cells directly into injured human hearts. But the experiments have had limited success. Since doing…
60 Minutes investigation: stem cell fraud
The Internet is full of websites selling unproven stem cell treatments for incurable illnesses. Scott Pelley confronts one disgraced doctor offering false hope to a family with a disabled child. Dr. Dan Ecklund claims he can treat dozens of diseases using stem cells. But there’s a problem. Ecklund is a disgraced doctor whose medical license was revoked in 2005. That hasn’t kept him from founding a company and a website that offer hope where science cannot. Scott Pelley investigates the lucrative business of miracle stem cell “cures.” It’s 21st century snake oil being peddled to desperate people, including the parents of one young boy, Adam Susser, who has cerebral palsy and is blind and…
60 Minutes investigates online stem cell fraud
(CBS News) Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg of Duke University tells Scott Pelley that stem cells purchased from one of the hundreds of websites promising stem cell cures for incurable diseases could actually cause a patient serious harm. The chief scientific officer for Duke’s stem cell research program spoke to Pelley as part of an eight-month investigation into the illicit stem cell industry. Kurtzberg decries the websites offering unproven stem cell remedies for what are currently incurable diseases like autism, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and every kind of cancer. She hears from patients who see those websites and has to inform them that thus far, stem cells have been used to successfully treat leukemia and a few rare…
STEM CELLS Promotes New Editor
Durham, NC (PRWEB) January 03, 2012 STEM CELLS, the premier peer-reviewed journal in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, promoted Professor Jan A. Nolta to Editor. Nolta, one of the nation’s leading researchers in regenerative medicine, directs the University of California-Davis “Institute for Regenerative Cures” that is supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). In addition to conducting groundbreaking research in human stem cells, she directs the university’s stem cell program that includes more 150 scientists and clinicians from the University of California (UC)-Davis and -Sacramento campuses. There has never been such an exciting time to be a scientist in the field of stem cell research,” said Nolta. “The tools and…
Austin teen sends inspiration around the world
Ben Breedlove was an Austin teenager who had a popular YouTube channel (“OurAdvice4You“) where he gave dating advice to viewers. He also had a life-threatening heart condition (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) he fought every day growing up. The brave 18-year-old lost his life on Christmas night from a heart attack. The week before, he recorded the below videos where he shared his feelings about death, after “cheating” it three times. The thing that brought attention to Ben’s death — attention that now goes around the world from the Huffington Post to London’s Daily Mail to Sydney, Australia’s ninemsn.com — was the serious and honest two-part video he posted on YouTube just a week before he died. He called…
New Public opinion poll data
Most Americans agree … Research!America’s new national voter education initiative, Your Candidates-Your Health, features responses from President Obama and Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on important health research and prevention issues. Among the highlights: both Obama and Gingrich agree that research to improve health and prevent disease is part of the solution to rising health care costs, and boosting investment in medical research creates jobs that benefit a wide variety of industries. Their positions on embryonic stem cell research differ. “For too long, patients and families have suffered from debilitating, incurable diseases and we know that stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans across the country. I am committed to supporting responsible stem…
