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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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Harvard Stem Cell Institute Sees Growth
At its founding eight years ago, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute had fewer than ten principal faculty members, according to Benjamin D. Humphreys, co-director of the HSCI Kidney Program. Today, that number has ballooned to more than 80. In the past decade, Harvard has increasingly poured resources into groundbreaking research in one of the largest collections of stem cell research labs in the country. According to HSCI co-director Douglas A. Melton, a professor in the stem cell and regenerative biology department, there are more than 800 Harvard affiliates in stem cell science scattered throughout roughly 80 laboratories. The largest concentration of stem cell researchers are located in Harvard’s Sherman Fairchild Building, which reopened in August…
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New Use for Autologous Stem Cell Transplant?
Transplanted gene-modified blood stem cells protect brain cancer patients from toxic side effects of chemotherapy Study is first to show feasibility and efficacy of a new use for autologous stem cell transplant SEATTLE – May 9, 2012 – For the first time, scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have transplanted brain cancer patients’ own gene-modified blood stem cells in order to protect their bone marrow against the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. Initial results of the ongoing, small clinical trial of three patients with glioblastoma showed that two patients survived longer than predicted if they had not been given the transplants, and a third patient remains alive with no disease progression almost three years…
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Healing Bones with Stem Cells
Healing Bones with Stem Cells at UC Davis – Mark Lee: CIRM Spotlight on Disease Presentation by Dr. Mark Lee at UC Davis on the use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in complex fracture work. Severe bone fractures can lead to such massive bone loss that realigning and fixing the bone with implants is not enough to heal the bone. In these cases, the trauma victim is left with chronic pain and non-functioning limbs. Dr. Mark Lee, an orthopedic surgeon at the UC Davis School of Medicine, is developing new stem cell based methods to overcome these current challenges in treating non-healing bone. Dr. Lee spoke about his research at the CIRM governing board’s Spotlight on…
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Phase III Trial uses Autologous Cells for Angina
Baxter Tuesday started a phase III pivotal clinical trialto evaluate the efficacy and safety of an individual’s own CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI), a coronary artery disease. CMI is one of the most severe forms of coronary artery disease, causing significant long-term damage to the heart muscle and disability to the patient. It is often diagnosed based on symptoms of severe, refractory angina, which is severe chest discomfort that does not respond to conventional medical management or surgical interventions. Cell therapy is typically more expensive, requiring thousands of dollars to manufacture an individual cell therapy. Baxter has announced 450 patients for its trial. It may take…
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Texas Adopts Controversial Stem Cell Rules
Texas Medical Board Approves Adult Stem Cell Guidelines The Texas Medical Board has approved guidelines for the use of adult stem cells. The new rules say that the procedure must be part of a clinical trial and have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration or an institutional review board. Leigh Hopper, a spokesperson for the Texas Medical Board says these institutions will make sure the use of adult stem cells is safe, ethical and that patients give informed consent. Hopper says board members felt that since patients already have access to adult stem cells, the procedure needs to be regulated. “Since this is occurring right now, the majority of the board felt that…
Texas
Genetic manipulation boosts growth of brain cells
Genetic manipulation boosts growth of brain cells linked to learning, enhances antidepressants UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators have identified a genetic manipulation that increases the development of neurons in the brain during aging and enhances the effect of antidepressant drugs. The research finds that deleting the Nf1 gene in mice results in long-lasting improvements in neurogenesis, which in turn makes those in the test group more sensitive to the effects of antidepressants. “The significant implication of this work is that enhancing neurogenesis sensitizes mice to antidepressants – meaning they needed lower doses of the drugs to affect ‘mood’ – and also appears to have anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects of its own that continue over time,”…
Investigational Human Stem Cell Therapy Study
Investigational Human Adult Stem Cell Therapy Studied in Ischemic Stroke Patients Physicians at the Methodist Neurological Institute are studying the use of human stem cells as a possible treatment for acute ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death and disability. Each year, stroke affects more than 15 million people around the world. Patients whose ischemic strokes occur within one to two days of being admitted to The Methodist Hospital in Houston may be eligible to enroll in the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 safety and efficacy trial of MultiStem®, a novel therapy being developed by Athersys, Inc. “The thrombolytic tPA is still the only FDA-approved treatment for the majority of stroke cases, but unfortunately, we…
Charitable donation the second largest in Children’s history
UT Southwestern, Children’s Partner for New Stem Cell, Cancer Institute Curing cancer is a lofty goal. But that is the talk among people involved in a new joint venture between the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center. Officials with both hospitals are set to announce a $150 million stem cell and cancer research institute, set to open on the UT Southwestern campus. The money includes a $10 million gift, the second-largest in Children’s history, from the Hamon Charitable Foundation. Dr. Sean Morrison, of UT Southwestern, will lead the Hamon Laboratory for Stem Cell and Cancer Biology. According to his supervisors, Morrison’s laboratory works at the interface of stem cell biology and…
UTSW Molecular Biologist wins Passano Award
DALLAS – March 6, 2012 – Dr. Eric Olson, founding chairman of the molecular biology department at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has won the 2012 Passano Award for identifying major genetic pathways that control the development of the heart and other muscles. In announcing the award, Passano Foundation officials noted that Dr. Olson’s discoveries at the interface of developmental biology and medicine “have profoundly influenced our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for development and dysfunction of the heart.” His laboratory has used a sophisticated combination of biochemistry and genetics to expose networks of genes that control the formation of the heart and cardiovascular system. In so doing, Dr. Olson “unveiled the molecular underpinnings of congenital…
Phase III autologous cell therapy trial for angina
Baxter Tuesday started a phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an individual’s own CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI), a coronary artery disease. CMI is one of the most severe forms of coronary artery disease, causing significant long-term damage to the heart muscle and disability to the patient. It is often diagnosed based on symptoms of severe, refractory angina, which is severe chest discomfort that does not respond to conventional medical management or surgical interventions. Cell therapy is typically more expensive, requiring thousands of dollars to manufacture an individual cell therapy. Baxter has announced 450 patients for its trial. It may take the…
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…
World News
Texas Adopts Controversial Stem Cell Rules
Texas Medical Board Approves Adult Stem Cell Guidelines The Texas Medical Board has approved guidelines for the use of adult stem cells. The new rules say that the procedure must be part of a clinical trial and have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration or an institutional review board. Leigh Hopper, a spokesperson for the Texas Medical Board says these institutions will make sure the use of adult stem cells is safe, ethical and that patients give informed consent. Hopper says board members felt that since patients already have access to adult stem cells, the procedure needs to be regulated. “Since this is occurring right now, the majority of the board felt that…
The Cell Picture Show
The Cell Picture Show is a place to showcase striking images in cell, developmental, and molecular biology; a place to learn about cutting-edge research with beautiful images. You can contribute your lab’s most artistic or interesting images obtained from your day-to-day research for consideration in an upcoming slideshow. We encourage everyone to share this with your friends, loved ones, teachers and especially kids. Visit the Website! Hippocampus by Tamily Weissman, Harvard University “Brainbow” mice are engineered with a gene that includes three different fluorescent proteins, but only one color is actually expressed from each copy of the DNA construct. Pairs of “incompatible lox sites” are nested around different portions of the gene, allowing for recombination…
Teaching Old Drugs New Tricks for Rare Diseases
Sam Berns of Boston is a ninth-grader stuck in an 80-year-old man’s body. He has progeria, a rare disease that has aged his body faster than his mind. Although his condition limits him physically, he says there’s nothing he puts his mind to that he can’t do. “When there is something I really want to do that Progeria gets in the way of, like marching band or umpiring, we always find a way to do it,” Sam told a crowd of nearly 1,500 people at the annual TedMed conference today in Washington, D.C. So don’t think for a second that you can tell Sam there’s no treatment for his condition. Although research for any treatment…
Regeneration Scientist Returning to Texas- Interveiw
Renowned cardiac regeneration scientist Doris Taylor departs the University of Minnesota for the Texas Heart Institute. Dr. Taylor looks forward to taking ideas that are being developed in laboratories and moving them into clinical trials. Listen to interview with Carrie Miller, Minnesota Public Radio MPR News March 7th, 2012 Recommend on FacebookTell a friend
Potential of the cell therapy for unmet medical needs
Chis Mason, PhD (University of London), presented the potential of the cell therapy industry to become a multibillion dollar industry as a result of R&D, investment and media coverage. Emphasizing the difference between cell therapy and regenerative medicine, he spoke about the need to distinguish the two fields and allow them to grow to their full potential. Mason touted cell therapies as potentially revolutionary solutions for unmet medical needs and called for an effective business model to bring these therapies to market. Watch Presentation from 2011 World Stem Cell Summit: “Cell Therapy, Billion Dollar Global Business, Unlimited Potential, Chris Mason, PhD” Further Reading and Related Videos 2012 World Stem Cell Summit 2011 Summit:…
Headlines
Harvard Stem Cell Institute Sees Growth
At its founding eight years ago, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute had fewer than ten principal faculty members, according to Benjamin D. Humphreys, co-director of the HSCI Kidney Program. Today, that number has ballooned to more than 80. In the past decade, Harvard has increasingly poured resources into groundbreaking research in one of the largest collections of stem cell research labs in the country. According to HSCI co-director Douglas A. Melton, a professor in the stem cell and regenerative biology department, there are more than 800 Harvard affiliates in stem cell science scattered throughout roughly 80 laboratories. The largest concentration of stem cell researchers are located in Harvard’s Sherman Fairchild Building, which reopened in August…
New Use for Autologous Stem Cell Transplant?
Transplanted gene-modified blood stem cells protect brain cancer patients from toxic side effects of chemotherapy Study is first to show feasibility and efficacy of a new use for autologous stem cell transplant SEATTLE – May 9, 2012 – For the first time, scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have transplanted brain cancer patients’ own gene-modified blood stem cells in order to protect their bone marrow against the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. Initial results of the ongoing, small clinical trial of three patients with glioblastoma showed that two patients survived longer than predicted if they had not been given the transplants, and a third patient remains alive with no disease progression almost three years…
Texas Adopts Controversial Stem Cell Rules
Texas Medical Board Approves Adult Stem Cell Guidelines The Texas Medical Board has approved guidelines for the use of adult stem cells. The new rules say that the procedure must be part of a clinical trial and have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration or an institutional review board. Leigh Hopper, a spokesperson for the Texas Medical Board says these institutions will make sure the use of adult stem cells is safe, ethical and that patients give informed consent. Hopper says board members felt that since patients already have access to adult stem cells, the procedure needs to be regulated. “Since this is occurring right now, the majority of the board felt that…
Experts Divided on Texas Stem Cell Treatment Regulation
Concerns Draft Rule’s Requirements for IRB Review are “weak” Tomorrow the Texas Medical Board will decide whether to sign off on what’s said to be the first state-level policy imposing oversight on the medical use of experimental treatments using adult stem cells. The hotly debated plan has drawn mixed views from the scientific community over whether it’s a good way to raise standards—and has generated confusion in the media. Some experts say the rule will allow unscrupulous doctors to evade review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because it may clear methods that haven’t been rigorously examined. But others say the rule, while imperfect, is a good-faith effort to bring oversight to these controversial,…
Teaching Old Drugs New Tricks for Rare Diseases
Sam Berns of Boston is a ninth-grader stuck in an 80-year-old man’s body. He has progeria, a rare disease that has aged his body faster than his mind. Although his condition limits him physically, he says there’s nothing he puts his mind to that he can’t do. “When there is something I really want to do that Progeria gets in the way of, like marching band or umpiring, we always find a way to do it,” Sam told a crowd of nearly 1,500 people at the annual TedMed conference today in Washington, D.C. So don’t think for a second that you can tell Sam there’s no treatment for his condition. Although research for any treatment…
New Fund for Early Stage Drug Discovery
A new program, jointly funded by the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research at Temple University, will help researchers identify and test chemical compounds that could be candidates for new drugs. The $500,000 fund, called the Drug Discovery Pilot Award Program, represents the next stage in a complementary relationship that was formed between URMC and the Moulder Center last year. The collaboration enables URMC scientists to combine their knowledge of the underlying biology of disease with the ability of the medicinal chemists and pharmacologists at the Moulder Center to identify and create compounds suitable for medical research and eventual use in humans. “The partnership we have formed with the Moulder Center…
NIH Renews Support to 7 Sites Nationwide
From bench to bedside: NIH grant establishes cardiac clinical research center at UofL University of Louisville among 7 sites nationwide for Cardiac Cell Therapy Research Network To paraphrase Yogi Berra: It’s déjà vu all over again – with a twist. A University of Louisville researcher known for his prowess at winning competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health has won another one – his first for clinical research. During his 18-year tenure at UofL, Dr. Roberto Bolli has generated more than $100 million in grants for basic research from the NIH. Today, Bolli joined with University of Louisville President James R. Ramsey to announce a new NIH grant he has won for clinical research,…
Unravelling bipolar disorder using stem cell lines
$1-million gift will advance U-M Depression Center’s stem cell research into bipolar disorder Steven M. Schwartzberg Memorial Fund to support ongoing stem cell research for bipolar disorder With the help of a recent $1 million commitment, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center will continue its mission to unravel the unknowns about bipolar disorder using stem cell lines developed from skin cells. The donation establishes the Steven M. Schwartzberg Memorial Fund at the Depression Center, and the initial funds will help promote stem cell research just beginning at U-M. Al and Florence Schwartzberg named the fund after their son Steven, who died three years ago after a long struggle with bipolar disorder. “Steven was a…
Knowledge gained paves way for future of cell therapy
Stem cell, heart heath study Stem cells from someone’s bone marrow could help repair heart damage Doctors from the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital have found that patients with heart failure may be able to repair the damaged areas of the heart with stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow. Doctors presented the findings at the American College of Cardiology’s 61st Annual Scientific Session Saturday. The results are from a multi-center clinical study that measured the possible benefits of using a patient’s own bone marrow cells to repair damaged areas of the heart suffering from severe heart failure, a condition that affects millions of Americans. The study, which…
Cell therapy to improve quality of life
In this three-minute video interview conducted at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC’s) 61st Annual Scientific Session & Expo in Chicago, GetInsideHealth talked to Dr Timothy Henry after his presentation at Thought Leader Theater of the Heart of Innovations. In the interview, Dr Henry discusses: • Over 12 million of patient have refractory angina despite optimal medical therapy and no option for revascularization • Therapeutic angiogenesis with cell therapy is a promising new approach in these patients • Phase II trial with adult CD34+ stem cells showed that injection of these cells directly into the heart by NOGA catheter resulted in reduced reports of angina episodes and improved exercise tolerance time in refractory angina patients • A phase III,…
Stem cells for cardiac repair; an active area of research
A two-part Series published in Lancet gives insight into the use of stem cells in the new discipline of regenerative medicine. Stem cells are widely researched for their therapeutic use. An important potential application of human stem cells, through a more complete understanding of the genetic and molecular controls of cell division and differentiation, is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for cell-based therapies. The use of embryonic and adult-derived stem cells for cardiac repair is a particularly active area of research. The first Series paper highlights insights gained from clinical trials of adult stem cells, together with fundamental scientific advances in cardiac stem cell and regenerative biology. New targets and…
Genetic manipulation boosts growth of brain cells
Genetic manipulation boosts growth of brain cells linked to learning, enhances antidepressants UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators have identified a genetic manipulation that increases the development of neurons in the brain during aging and enhances the effect of antidepressant drugs. The research finds that deleting the Nf1 gene in mice results in long-lasting improvements in neurogenesis, which in turn makes those in the test group more sensitive to the effects of antidepressants. “The significant implication of this work is that enhancing neurogenesis sensitizes mice to antidepressants – meaning they needed lower doses of the drugs to affect ‘mood’ – and also appears to have anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects of its own that continue over time,”…
UTSW Molecular Biologist wins Passano Award
DALLAS – March 6, 2012 – Dr. Eric Olson, founding chairman of the molecular biology department at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has won the 2012 Passano Award for identifying major genetic pathways that control the development of the heart and other muscles. In announcing the award, Passano Foundation officials noted that Dr. Olson’s discoveries at the interface of developmental biology and medicine “have profoundly influenced our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for development and dysfunction of the heart.” His laboratory has used a sophisticated combination of biochemistry and genetics to expose networks of genes that control the formation of the heart and cardiovascular system. In so doing, Dr. Olson “unveiled the molecular underpinnings of congenital…
Flatworms reveal new insights into stem cell biology
Planarian flatworms reveal new insights into stem cell biology Devising a novel method to identify potential genetic regulators in planarian stem cells, Whitehead Institute scientists have determined which of those genes affect the two main functions of stem cells. Three of the genes are particularly intriguing because they code for proteins similar to those known to regulate mammalian embryonic stem cells. Such genetic similarity makes planarians an even more attractive model for studying stem cell biology in vivo. RELEVANCE: Stem cells may hold the promise to regrow damaged, diseased, or missing tissues in humans, such as insulin-producing cells for diabetics and nerve cells for patients with spinal cord injuries. With its renowned powers of regeneration and…
“Friend of the Court” Brief Filed Supporting Funding
This week the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) joined the Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) in filing an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, supporting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. GPI previously filed amicus briefs in the United States District Court and in the Court of Appeals, the latter in collaboration with CAMR and the State of Wisconsin. Both earlier briefs focused on the preliminary injunction in the case. Bernard Siegel, GPI’s executive director, stated, “Our brief supports the District Court’s ruling on behalf of the government upholding federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. We…
