Author Archives: admin

Diomics Corporation and University of California, Irvine Collaborate to Enable Cell Therapy Clinical Trial for Type 1 Diabetes – GlobeNewswire

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Treatment

SAN DIEGO, CA, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE --Diomics Corporation, a leader in forensic, diagnostic, and therapeutic science since 2009, and the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan Lakey, Professor of Surgery and BiomedicalResearchand Director of the Clinical Islet Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), today announced a Sponsored Research Agreement to ultimately improve islet transplantation for patients living with type 1 diabetes.

The current method for islet transplantation requires invasive, difficult, and time consuming surgeries that create stress and risk for both the patients and the islets. To circumvent these issues, cell encapsulation has been proposed as the next treatment option. Biomaterials can protect the transplanted islets from destruction from the body. Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer has been used in cell replacement therapy, however, the PCL polymer degrade too slowly and exhibit poor cell adhesion qualities for optimal cell replacement therapy. Diomics technology overcomes these issues for improved cell adhesion.

Leading the Diomics Sponsored Research Agreementresearch at UCI is Dr. Jonathan Lakey, a world-class subject matter expert on cell therapies including pancreatic islets and stem cells. Dr. Lakey has pioneered the development of novel methods for implantation of pancreatic islets for patients with diabetes. I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with Diomics and examine this novel and important proprietary biomaterial, said Dr Lakey. I am most excited about the potential variety of applications for this novel material.

Diomics recently filed provisional patents with claims broadly covering its proprietary polymer technology, Diomat, for applications in cell therapy, transdermal and related drug delivery methods. The Diomics and UCI research will support the development of key data that can be leveraged in clinical trials for improved islet transplantation therapy. Improved islet transplantation can restore natural insulin production for type 1 diabetes patients.

In this sponsored research project, Diomat foams will be used to characterize the Diomics material and examine encapsulated pancreatic islets and stem cells for improved islet transplantation therapy. This data will provide the key results to proceed with clinical trials using Diomat foam-encapsulated products.

Diomics is committed to providing innovative solutions through its materials and technologies that will lead the way to remarkable life science discoveries, said Diomics Chairman of the Board, Kirk Avery. We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Lakey and UCI.

ABOUT DIOMICS CORPORATION

Diomics Corporation creates highly efficient hydrophilic materials, based on patented Diomat technology, that improve the speed, sensitivity, and accuracy in the capture and detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and similar compounds. Our technology has broad applicability in a multitude of nanoscale settings in biomedical engineering, genomics, proteomics, and stem cell research. Diomics has filed a total of 20 patents and has 12 issued patents. For more information, visit:www.Diomics.com

ABOUT DR. LAKEY AT UCI

Dr. Jonathan Lakey is Professor of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and a world-class subject matter expert on cell therapies including pancreatic islets and stem cells. Dr. Lakey has over 395 publications and authored 45 book chapters and has pioneered the development of novel methods for implantation of pancreatic islets for patients with diabetes.

Diomics Contact:

Eric J. Mathur, CEO

Diomics Corporation

cell: 760.889.8929

emathur@Diomics.com

http://www.Diomics.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Jeff Ramson, Founder & CEO

PCG Advisory, Inc.

phone: 646-863-6893

jramson@pcgadvisory.com

http://www.pcgadvisory.com

Read the original post:
Diomics Corporation and University of California, Irvine Collaborate to Enable Cell Therapy Clinical Trial for Type 1 Diabetes - GlobeNewswire

Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Research Explores The Key Success Factors, And Business Opportunities Including Key…

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Treatment

Transparency Market Research (TMR) has published a new report titled Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20182026. According to the report, theglobal platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment marketwas valued at approximately US$ 250Mn in 2017. The market is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 450.5 Mn by 2026, expanding at a higher single digit CAGR during the forecast period. Rise in awareness about platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment and increase in funding for alopecia treatment research and stem cell research are expected to augment the global market from 2018 to 2026. The global platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market is projected to expand, owing to a rise in the incidence of alopecia and technological advancements.

Rise in Awareness about Platelet Rich Plasma Therapies and Stem Cell Therapiesis Propelling the Global Alopecia Treatment Market

The global platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market is expanding at a high growth rate, driven by an increase in awareness about platelet rich plasma & stem cell therapies for treating many types of alopecia. The prevalence of various types of hair loss is increasing rapidly across the world, due to a rise in the geriatric population, anxiety, vaccination, side effects of drugs, etc.. A rise in the incidence of autoimmune hair loss disorders such as alopecia is boosting the platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market. According to a report in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2013, female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which is also known as female androgenetic alopecia, is a common condition afflicting millions of women across the world.

Request PDF Brochure of the Report @https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=55800

Increase in Funding for Alopecia Treatment Research and Stem Cell Research

Stem cells hold promise for the treatment and cure of more than 70 major diseases, including alopecia and other conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Several private and government organizations are supporting funding for stem cell research. According to Change.org, Inc., in the U.S., 64% of people support federal funding of research on the treatment of chronic diseases using stem cells taken from human embryos. Internationally, stem cell research is supported by significant government investments, with Asia being one of the most favorable regions. Stem cell research funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has increased 17% from US$ 1.2 Bn in 2013 to US$ 1.5 Bn in 2016. In 2017, nonprofit organization Alopecia UK donated US$ 0.6 Mn to the University of the West of Scotland for the development of early treatment to prevent the progression of alopecia areata. Research conducted by the university aims at developing a treatment for alopecia areata using a nonchemical stem-cell based technology based on nanovibrations known as nanokicking.

North America Dominates the Global Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market owing to a Rise in Technological Advancements and Prevalence of Alopecia

North America dominates the global platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market, owing to technological advancements, investments in research & development, and developed health care infrastructure. As per research, in 2015, 21% of women suffered from alopecia in the U.S, which supports the fact that alopecia has a higher prevalence in the country. Moreover, development of innovative products and increase in demand for products among the population in the region are contributing factors for the dominance of North America in the platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market.

Expansion in the Contract Research IndustryOffersSignificant Opportunities for Companies to Invest in Clinical Trials for Alopecia Treatment

Small and large biopharmaceutical companies have become increasingly reliant on contract research organizations (CRO) and other clinical services specialists to provide research services for their R&D operations. There are numerous government-funded medical and pharmaceutical institutions, with state-of the-art facilities, that can serve as ideal centers for multicentered clinical trials. Companies are expanding their footprints in developing countries, mainly in Asia Pacific. R&D costs in India are substantially lower as compared to those in developed countries. It is possible to conduct both new drug discovery research and novel drug delivery system programs at competitive rates. India offers cost efficiency, as the cost of conducting a trial in the country is 50% to 75% lower compared to that in the U.S. or the European Union.

Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, and PARTNERSHIPS by Key Players are Driving the Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market

Key players dominating the global platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment market are Kerastem, Eclipse, Regen Lab SA, STEMCELL Technologies, Inc., RepliCel Life Sciences, Histogen, Inc., and Glofinn Oy. Major players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions and are investing in the development of platelet rich plasma & stem cell alopecia treatment and making them available to the patient population. For instance, companies such as Stemcell technologies, Inc. highly focus on partnerships with research institutes to develop new advanced products. In 2019, Kerastem signed a partnership agreement with Myungmoon Bio Co., Ltd., a South Korea-based health care company focused on bringing innovative regenerative therapies.

New protocol could signal shift in bone regenerative medicine – PR Web

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Medical Center

DURHAM, N.C. (PRWEB) January 06, 2020

A new, safe and efficient way to coax stem cells into bone cells is reported in a recently published article from STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM). The protocol, developed by researchers at the University of Sydney, Australian Research Centre (ARC) for Innovative BioEngineering, could lead to a shift in the treatment of bone regenerative medicine.

Large bone defects and loss due to cancer or trauma can result in scar tissue that impairs the bones ability to repair and regenerate. The current gold standard therapy, autografting, has inherent drawbacks, including limited availability and donor site morbidity. This leaves researchers seeking an alternative source of bone cells and makes bone tissue engineering a growing field with considerable translational potential.

The success of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to reprogram fibroblasts into progenitor cells of various lineages offers an exciting route for tissue repair and regeneration, said Zufu Lu, Ph.D., a member of the University of Sydneys Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Unit and a research associate at the ARC for Innovative BioEngineering. He is a co-lead investigator of the SCTM study, along with Professor Hala Zreiqat, Ph.D., head of the research unit and director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering.

However, while iPSC technology represents a potentially unlimited source of progenitor cells and allows patients to use their own cells for tissue repair and regeneration thus posing little or no risk of immune rejection the technology has several constraints. Among them are the requirement for complex reprogramming using the Yamanaka factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc). To add to the complexity, specific stimuli are required to direct iPSCs to re-differentiate to progenitor cells of the lineage of interest.

In addition, Dr. Lu said, any remaining iPSCs pose the risk of tumors following implantation.

One potential way around this, as demonstrated by recent studies, is through the direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into bone cells. Fibroblasts are morphologically similar to osteoblasts. Their similar transcriptomic profiles led us to hypothesize that distinct factors produced by osteoblasts may be capable of coaxing fibroblasts to become osteoblast-like cells, Prof. Zreiqat said.

Previous studies aimed at using fibroblasts to produce various cell types relied on the genetic manipulation of one or more transcription regulators. But just as with iPSCs, reprogramming fibroblasts in this manner has its own inherent technical and safety issues. The Lu-Zreiqat team, however, surmised that an approach employing natural factors might just allow better control over reprogramming and improve the safety.

Unlike genetic reprogramming, chemical induction of cell reprogramming is generally rapid and reversible, and is also more amenable to control through factor dosage and/or combinations with other molecules, Dr. Lu explained.

The team initially determined that media conditioned by human osteoblasts can induce reprogramming of human fibroblasts to functional osteoblasts. Next, said Prof. Zreiqat, our proteomic analysis identified a single naturally bioactive protein, insulin growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), as being significantly elevated in media conditioned with osteoblasts, compared to those with fibroblasts.

This led them to test IGFBP7s ability as a transcription factor. They found it, indeed, successfully induced a switch from fibroblasts to osteoblasts in vitro. They next tested it in a mouse model and once again experienced success when the fibroblasts produced mineralized tissue. The switch was associated with senescence and dependent on autocrine IL-6 signaling.

The approach we describe in our study has significant advantages over other commonly used cell sources including iPSCs and adult mesenchymal stem cells, Dr. Lu and Prof Zreiqat concluded.

Bone tissue engineering is a growing field where cell therapies have considerable translational potential, but current cell-based approaches face limitations, said Anthony Atala, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The novel observation described in this study could potentially lead to a shift in the current paradigm of bone regenerative medicine.

This study was conducted in collaboration with the Charles Perkins Centre and the Childrens Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney.

The full article, Reprogramming of human fibroblasts into osteoblasts by insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7, can be accessed at https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/sctm.19-0281.

About STEM CELLS Translational Medicine: STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM), co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley, is a monthly peer-reviewed publication dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices. SCTM is the official journal partner of Regenerative Medicine Foundation.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS (http://www.StemCells.com), celebrating its 38th year, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. The Oncologist (http://www.TheOncologist.com), also a monthly peer-reviewed publication, entering its 25th year, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. All three journals are premier periodicals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.

About Wiley: Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions, help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.

About Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF): The non-profit Regenerative Medicine Foundation fosters strategic collaborations to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine to improve health and deliver cures. RMF pursues its mission by producing its flagship World Stem Cell Summit, honouring leaders through the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Action Awards, and promoting educational initiatives.

Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market 2020 Size, Share Metrics, Growth Trends and Forecast to 2026 – Pro News Time

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Medical Center

New Jersey, United States, Verified Market Research indicates that the Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market is expected to surge at a steady rate in the coming years, as economies flourish. The research report, titled [Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Research Report 2020], provides a comprehensive review of the global market. Analysts have identified the key drivers and restraints in the overall market. They have studied the historical milestones achieved by the Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market and emerging trends. A comparison of the two has enabled the analysts to draw a potential trajectory of the Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market for the forecast period.

Request a Sample Copy of this report @https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=15102&utm_source=PTN&utm_medium=005

Top 10 Companies in the Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Research Report:

Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Competitive Landscape

Competitive landscape of a market explains strategies incorporated by key players of the market. Key developments and shift in management in the recent years by players has been explained through company profiling. This helps readers to understand the trends that will accelerate the growth of market. It also includes investment strategies, marketing strategies, and product development plans adopted by major players of the market. The market forecast will help readers make better investments.

Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Drivers and Restrains

This section of the report discusses various drivers and restrains that have shaped the global market. The detailed study of numerous drivers of the market enable readers to get a clear perspective of the market, which includes market environment, government policies, product innovations, breakthroughs, and market risks.

The research report also points out the myriad opportunities, challenges, and market barriers present in the Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market. The comprehensive nature of the information will help the reader determine and plan strategies to benefit from. Restrains, challenges, and market barriers also help the reader to understand how the company can prevent itself from facing downfall.

Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Segment Analysis

This section of the report includes segmentation such as application, product type, and end user. These segmentations aid in determining parts of market that will progress more than others. The segmentation analysis provides information about the key elements that are thriving the specific segments better than others. It helps readers to understand strategies to make sound investments. The Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market is segmented on the basis of product type, applications, and its end users.

Global Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Regional Analysis

This part of the report includes detailed information of the market in different regions. Each region offers different scope to the market as each region has different government policy and other factors. The regions included in the report are North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Information about different region helps the reader to understand global market better.

Ask for Discount @https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=15102&utm_source=PTN&utm_medium=005

Table of Content

1 Introduction of Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market

1.1 Overview of the Market 1.2 Scope of Report 1.3 Assumptions

2 Executive Summary

3 Research Methodology of Verified Market Research

3.1 Data Mining 3.2 Validation 3.3 Primary Interviews 3.4 List of Data Sources

4 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Outlook

4.1 Overview 4.2 Market Dynamics 4.2.1 Drivers 4.2.2 Restraints 4.2.3 Opportunities 4.3 Porters Five Force Model 4.4 Value Chain Analysis

5 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market, By Deployment Model

5.1 Overview

6 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market, By Solution

6.1 Overview

7 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market, By Vertical

7.1 Overview

8 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market, By Geography

8.1 Overview 8.2 North America 8.2.1 U.S. 8.2.2 Canada 8.2.3 Mexico 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Germany 8.3.2 U.K. 8.3.3 France 8.3.4 Rest of Europe 8.4 Asia Pacific 8.4.1 China 8.4.2 Japan 8.4.3 India 8.4.4 Rest of Asia Pacific 8.5 Rest of the World 8.5.1 Latin America 8.5.2 Middle East

9 Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Competitive Landscape

9.1 Overview 9.2 Company Market Ranking 9.3 Key Development Strategies

10 Company Profiles

10.1.1 Overview 10.1.2 Financial Performance 10.1.3 Product Outlook 10.1.4 Key Developments

11 Appendix

11.1 Related Research

Request Customization of Report @ https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/stem-cell-alopecia-treatment-market/?utm_source=PTN&utm_medium=005

Highlights of Report

About Us:

Verified market research partners with clients to provide insight into strategic and growth analytics; data that help achieve business goals and targets. Our core values include trust, integrity, and authenticity for our clients.

Analysts with high expertise in data gathering and governance utilize industry techniques to collate and examine data at all stages. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, subject expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research reports.

Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Call: +1 (650) 781 4080 Email: [emailprotected]

See original here:
Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market 2020 Size, Share Metrics, Growth Trends and Forecast to 2026 - Pro News Time

Where Are They Now? Top 3 Biotech Startups From NextGen Bio Class of 2018 – BioSpace

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Clinics

Every year, BioSpace analyzes the biotech industry, looking for the hot new biotech startups to watch. We then produce the NextGen Bio Class of, twenty companies ranked based on several categories, including Finance, Collaborations, Pipeline, and Innovation. The companies were typically launched no more than 18 months before the list was created.

We thought it would be insightful to look back at our previous lists to see where some of those companies are today. Heres a look at the top three companies from the Top 20 Life Science Startups to Watch in 2018.

#1. BlueRock Therapeutics. Founded in 2016, BlueRock was #1 on our list of companies to watch in 2018. With facilities in Ontario, Canada; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and New York, New York, BlueRock launched in December 2016 with a $225 million Series A financing led by Bayer AG and Versant Ventures. The company focuses on cell therapies to regenerate heart muscle in patients who have had a heart attack or chronic heart failure, as well as therapies for patients with Parkinsons disease.

In October 2017, BlueRock and Seattle-based Universal Cells entered into a collaboration and license deal to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines that can be used in the manufacture of allogeneic cellular therapies. Shortly afterwards, the company established its corporate headquarters in Cambridge, and in April 2018, established a research-and-development hub in New York City, as well as formalizing a sponsored research collaboration with the Center for Stem Cell Biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center. The collaboration focuses on translating Ketterings expertise in creating multiple types of authentic neural cells from stem cells to address diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. BlueRock also received $1 million from the State of New York and Empire State Development under its economic development initiatives program.

In April 2019, BlueRock partnered with Editas Medicine (which was on BioSpaces NextGen Bio Class of 2015 list) to combine their genome editing and cell therapy technologies to focus on novel engineered cell medicines. Part of the deal was to collaborate on creating novel, allogeneic pluripotent cell lines using a combination of Editas CRISPR genome editing technology and BlueRocks iPSC platform.

And finally, in August 2019, Bayer AG acquired BlueRock for the remaining stake in the company for about $240 million in cash and an additional $360 million in pre-defined development milestones.

#2. Prelude Fertility. Prelude Fertility is a bit of an outlier from the typical BioSpace NextGen company, because it isnt quite a biopharma company. It is a life sciences company whose business model is aimed at in vitro fertilization and egg freezing. It was founded with a $200 million investment by entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky. The investment was in the largest in vitro fertilization clinic in the Southeast, Reproductive Biology Associates of Atlanta, and its affiliate, My Egg Bank, the largest frozen donor egg bank in the U.S.

Since then it has expanded in various parts of the country, including adding San Francisco-based Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) to its network in September 25, 2017; partnering with Houston Fertility Institute and acquiring Vivere Health; partnering with the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago; and in October 2018, partnered with NYU Langone Health.

In March 2019, Prelude merged with Inception Fertility to establish the Prelude Network as the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in the U.S. Inception is acting as the parent company, with the Prelude Network, both having board representatives from the previous organizations.

#3. Relay Therapeutics. Ranking #3 on our list for 2018, Relay Therapeutics launched in September 2016 with a $57 million Series A financing led by Third Rock Ventures with participation form D.E. Shaw Research. On December 14, 2017, it closed on a Series B round worth $63 million, led by BVF Partners, with new investors GV (formerly Google Ventures), Casdin Capital, EcoR1 Capital and Section 32.

The company focuses on the relationship between protein motion and function. It merges computational power with structural biology, biophysics, chemistry and biology. In December 2018, the company completed a $400 million Series C financing. It was led by the SoftBank Vision fund and included additional new investors, Foresite Capital, Perceptive Advisors and Tavistock Group. Existing investors also participated.

The company announced at the time it planned to use the funds to accelerate the implementation of its long-term strategy, expanding its discovery efforts, advancing existing programs into the clinic and improving its platform.

Go here to read the rest:
Where Are They Now? Top 3 Biotech Startups From NextGen Bio Class of 2018 - BioSpace

Highs and Lows of Stem Cell Therapies: Off- The-Shelf Solutions – P&T Community

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Embryonic Stem Cells

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Report Includes: - An overview of recent advances in stem cell therapies and coverage of potential stem cells used for regenerative advanced therapies

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05835679/?utm_source=PRN

- Discussion on role of genomic and epigenomics manipulations in generating safe and effective treatment options - Identification of autologous and allogeneic cells and their usage in creating advanced therapy medical products (ATMPs) - Information on 3D cell culture and discussion on advances in gene editing and gene programming techniques such as CRIPSR/Cas9, TALEN, and ZINC fingers - Insights into commercial and regulatory landscape, and evaluation of challenges and opportunities for developing autologous and allogenic "off the shelf" solutions

Summary Stem cells are unique in their ability to divide and develop into different cell types that form tissues and organs in the body during development and growth.The stem cell's role is to repair impaired or depleted cells, tissues and organs in the body that are damaged by disease, injury, or normal wear and tear.

Stem cells are found in every organ, but are most abundant in bone marrow, where they help to restore the blood and immune system.

Stem cells may be derived from various sources, including - - Adult stem cells (ASCs): Derived from tissue after birth, these include bone marrow, brain, peripheral blood, skeletal muscle, skin, teeth, heat, gut, liver, ovarian epithelium and testis, as well as umbilical cord stem cells and blood. These cells are currently most widely used for cellbased therapies. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are derived from bone marrow, can give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, whereas mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from the stroma and give rise to non-blood forming cells and tissues. - Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs): Derived from embryos, these include stems cell lines, aborted embryos or from miscarriages, unused in vitro fertilized embryos and cloned embryos. There are currently no clinically approved treatments for embryonic stem cells. - Inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs): These are stem cells generated in the laboratory by reprogramming adult cells that have already differentiated into specific cells, such as liver cells. They are used either for research purposes (e.g., experimental medicine testing toxicity of new drugs) or are under research for potential future clinical use.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05835679/?utm_source=PRN

About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highs-and-lows-of-stem-cell-therapies-off--the-shelf-solutions-300982411.html

SOURCE Reportlinker

Read the original post:
Highs and Lows of Stem Cell Therapies: Off- The-Shelf Solutions - P&T Community

Ethics of gene editing must be decided by each one of us – Mail and Guardian

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Embryonic Stem Cells

COMMENT

Gene editing is an exciting area of scientific research. It allows scientist to use gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR, to alter the genetic sequence of an organisms cells, with a specific result in mind.This creates the potential to alter crops so that they are more nutritious, or alter a human beings genetic makeup to remove the potential of an individual to develop a particular disease. The latter has proved controversial, as this new ability that gene editing gives us to alter our genetic characteristics is unprecedented, and many regulatory frameworks do not specifically refer to gene editing and CRISPR.

With respect to the gene editing of a human, there is distinction between somatic gene editing, which will alter specific cells only in an existing person, and germline editing, which is gene editing performed on human eggs, sperm, or embryos. This is the area of heated debate, because while somatic gene editing will only affect a particular patient, germline editing will alter an embryos DNA in a manner which is heritable.

In this way, germline editing creates the potential of altering the genetic heritage of future people, an idea which ethicists, philosophers, lawmakers, scientists and others are not comfortable with. For this reason, while there are some somatic gene editing trials under way, there has been consensus that germline editing should not be done until the safety of gene editing has been demonstrated, and the ethical issues can be debated.

In November 2018, the Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, revealed to the world that he had successfully gene-edited human embryos. He spoke of his technological feat at the Second International Summit on Genome Editing in Hong Kong, where he presented his method of gene editing human embryos to attempt to create children who would be resistant to HIV infection. The research presented appeared to show that he had successfully gene-edited the human embryos, which were then implanted into a woman and carried to term.

The resulting children, twin girls referred to only by their pseudonyms Lulu and Nana appeared to be healthy and resistant to HIV infection. The gene editing was a success. But the news was met with international outcry, and calls for a moratorium to debate the issues inherent in the gene editing of human beings. Until this time, there had been no clinical application of gene editing to human embryos, because this is largely prohibited by ethics and legal guidelines around the world. He appeared to have had all of his paperwork in order ethical approval from his research institution to conduct the procedure and informed consent from couples willing to have their embryos genetically edited. But, according to the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethics Guiding Principles issued by Chinas ministry of science and technology and the ministry of health in 2003, human blastocysts that have been used for research cannot be implanted into the reproductive system of humans or any other animal. The genetic manipulation of human gametes, zygotes, and embryos for the purpose of reproduction is also prohibited.

So how did this failure of regulatory oversight happen? Whispers of He being placed under house arrest began to circulate. But what would ultimately happen to He, who had clearly broken the rules?

On December 30, a year after his revelation to the gene-editing summit, the world found out. He, together with two co-defendants, were sentenced in the Nanshan district peoples court in Shenzhen for the illegal practice of medicine. Immediately upon release of the news of the birth of the gene edited children in 2018, the Guangdong province immediately set up a gene editing baby incident investigation team. On July 31 last year, a public prosecution notice was filed in the Nanshan district peoples court. To protect the privacy of the individuals involved in the case, the court heard the case in private on December 27. The court held that the behaviour of He, together with Zhang Renli and Qin Jinzhou, embryologists who had worked with him, constituted the crime of illegal medical practice. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined three million yuan, Zhang was sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined one million yuan and Qin was sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment and two years probation. The finding of the court was that the defendants had practiced medicine illegally, under the guise of scientific research and innovation.

The details which have now come to light are arguably more shocking than the news of the birth of the children in 2018.

The court learnt that in 2016, in order to realise his goal of being the first scientist to create the worlds first gene-edited baby, He had formulated a business plan for gene-edited babies and raised funds. In 2017, the defendants arranged for six couples to impersonate people awaiting ordinary assisted reproductive help. He later instructed Zhang and others to falsify the medical ethics approval that would be necessary to conduct the gene editing procedure. He also arranged for necessary reagent materials, which are prohibited for human diagnosis and treatment, to be purchased from outside the country. In August 2017, instructed by He, Zhang began injecting the gene-editing reagents into the fertilized eggs of six couples in violation of the Chinese regulations, and then took samples of the cultured blastocysts (early embryos) for inspection. He selected blastocysts and Zhang transplanted them into patients through an unsuspecting doctor. The result was that two women became pregnant. In 2018, one patient gave birth to twin baby girls, and in 2019, a second patient gave birth to a baby girl. The court also learnt that between May and June 2018, He and Qin had arranged for two more couples to travel to Thailand where he attempted to conduct the gene-editing and implantation procedure again. No pregnancies resulted from this endeavour.

The court held that the defendants had deliberately violated the rules to chase personal fame and fortune, and had opted deceptive and counterfeiting methods to maliciously evade the supervision of the national competent authority, and applied gene editing technology to assisted reproductive medicine.

The evidence also showed that when He obtained consent from the couples who underwent the procedure, he had described the technology as mature, safe and as having no risk. From a legal perspective, the consent of these patients was not informed as they had been given false information. The behaviour of the defendants, from the procuring of reagents, counselling of couples, screening and injecting of eggs, implantation and the resulting births also violated the boundaries of scientific experiments and should instead be regarded as medical behaviours. None of the defendants were licenced physicians and yet were still carrying out medical activities, which amount to the crime of illegal medical practice.

Will this judgment impede innovation in gene editing? It may not necessarily do so. This case will instead help to define the boundaries between what is legal and illegal, at least in China. What will follow now, is stricter oversight and more deliberation on the issues inherent in gene editing. China has already enacted several revisions to its existing laws. More countries will follow. The difficulty with developing a framework is that it will boil down to asking the difficult question: Who should decide what may be allowed and what should be prohibited? The prevailing opinion is that since gene editing will affect all of us, because it involves genetic manipulation of the human race, we should all be part of the conversation about its regulation.

Although this is a useful starting point, we must be mindful of cultural and other societal barriers. If the question being debated is what genetic conditions may be edited out of the human population, we must bear in mind that the answer will differ depending on the society to which we pose that question. A recent example is that of the Russian scientist, Denis Rebrikov, who in 2019 announced his intention to genetically edit human embryos to remove the genetic predisposition for deafness. If we are asked to consider whether deafness is a disease or disability, we may receive conflicting opinions.

The knee-jerk response to Rebrikovs announcement was that deafness is not a disease, not a disability, and that there is a societal structure to assist hearing impaired persons. Further, deafness has assimilated into culture, and to allow gene editing of embryos in a manner which results in deafness being removed from the human population does not speak well to the proponents view of persons who are hearing impaired. But Rebrikov has offered an argument in favour of gene editing deafness out of the population. In Russia, deafness is often associated with societal stigmatisation, and the hearing impaired do not necessarily enjoy the support mechanisms of those living in other countries.

This is just one example of one genetic condition, with a set of ethical issues attached to it. A debate on germline gene editing will require us to debate the ethical issues in relation to any disease or genetic condition to which gene editing may be applied.

Asking these questions in different societies, each with values and traditional, religious or cultural norms that may differ is going to create difficulties. Our DNA makes us similar, our traditions and cultures make us different. The regulation of gene editing is going to ask that we find a constructive way to harmonise the two. Lulu and Nana were the worlds first gene-edited babies. More will be born, but by that time the regulatory mechanisms will undoubtedly have changed.

Sheetal Soni is at the School of Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Here is the original post:
Ethics of gene editing must be decided by each one of us - Mail and Guardian

How These Practitioners Can Help with New Year, New You Goals – Milwaukee Magazine

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Doctors

This is a sponsored story

The start of a new year is the perfect time to prioritize self-care and set health and wellness goals, so make 2020 your happiest yet with a new, enhanced version of you. Use this guide to find the doctors, therapists and practitioners that can help you look and feel your best.

When diet and exercise just wont provide the results youre looking for, visit Skiin Anti-Aging Lounge. They offer the only procedure that builds muscle. EMSCULPT has been proven safe and effective by the most reputable scientific methods. The procedure induces strong muscle contractions with Hifem (high-intensity electromagnetic) technology not achievable through voluntary contractions. This builds muscle and creates a sculpted, toned physique. Other services like CoolSculpting and Exilis also help clients reshape their bodies through nonsurgical, noninvasive methods. Skiin is the first and only CoolSculpting advanced education center in the nation. Another first: Exilis is the first and only device to combine radio frequency and ultrasound to tighten skin through heating and cooling.

Your face is the first place to show signs of aging, but there is a way to take back those years. Dr. John Yousif has received several awards for his research in facial aging. He has been practicing plastic and cosmetic surgery for over 30 years and has even pioneered new techniques like the Gortex Midface Lift and the Hyoid Suspension Neck Lift. At both Sier Medi-Spa and Ascension in Mequon, he offers surgical and nonsurgical procedures to reverse the signs of aging. All of the types of facelifts offered are long-lasting and natural looking, leaving clients feeling like a younger version of themselves.

RELATED Wonderful World of Weddings

Aqua, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Hussussian, is a full-service salon, spa and med spa offering a wide range of services in a luxurious setting on Pewaukee Lake. Whether you are hoping to change the way you look or feel or both Aqua has a solution to enhance your skin and hair for both body and face. New services for the new year include hair restoration for both men and women using PRP (platelet-rich plasma) with biotin and a new weight-loss program using the HCG hormone. They also offer advanced laser hair removal, Clear Lift skin tightening, ThermiVa and CoolSculpting, a popular nonsurgical fat cell reduction with lasting results. A consultation can help you decide what services would work best to achieve a healthier, happier version of yourself.

Serving the Lake Country area, Dr. Tom Stamas is helping people put their best face forward, one smile at a time. He specializes in smile design, a full dental restoration and reconstruction for those suffering from tooth damage or loss, or for those looking to fix crooked, worn or yellowed teeth. During your personalized consultation, Stamas and his team will help you select which treatments will bring your smile to life. Dental treatments like bridges, dental implants, crowns and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools are all available to restore the health, function and appearance of your smile. Youll feel good about the natural-looking results, and your self-esteem will get a boost too.

What if you could use undesired fat from your belly to get rid of the bags under your eyes? Sounds too good to be true, right? Anew Skin and Wellness has a procedure that is done right in the office with long lasting results. The nano-fat transfer removes a small amount of fat with micro liposuction. That fat is harvested for re-injection to the appropriate areas of the face, neck, earlobes, hands and thighs. It can also be used to plump thin lips, smooth cellulite and scars and restore skin elasticity. The nano-fat transfer is safe, effective, economical and helps clients look their best. The in-office procedure provides long-lasting results because the bodys stem cells can turn the aging skin into new, rejuvenated skin. Its the natural way to tighten and smooth skin, allowing you to turn back the clock without a surgical face- or neck-lift.

RELATED Faces of Milwaukee 2019 Event

Dr. Arvind Ahuja has provided neurosurgical and endovascular care in southeastern Wisconsin for more than 20 years for brain, spine, artery and peripheral nerve conditions. Whether patients come to Neurosurgery and Endovascular Associates for neck and/or arm pain, back and/or leg pain or headache, the first step is always diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the pain, rather than just treating the symptoms. Often through treatments like medication, steroid injections, physical therapies and if need be surgery, patients achieve improved functioning and long-term relief. Ahujas specialized training in the nervous system is incredibly effective in treating spinal conditions, and his treatments give patients the opportunity to live a happier and morefunctional life.

See the rest here:
How These Practitioners Can Help with New Year, New You Goals - Milwaukee Magazine

Summerside gym needs donations for three-year-old boy with cancerous brain tumors – The Journal Pioneer

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Doctors

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.

A Summerside family are going through an unimaginable experience that has left them shaken to the core.

Matthew and Victoria Sara Kingyen grew concerned when their three-year-old son Camden woke to severe headaches, and one morning with vomiting, over a nine-day span before Christmas.

On Dec. 10 I decided to take Camden to see his family doctor, but her appointments were full for the day, so I took him to the emergency department in Summersides Prince County Hospital around 9 a.m., explained Victoria.

After an examination at the Prince County Hospital, it was decided Camden should have a CT Scan to hopefully rule out anything major.

But doctors had devasting news for the couple.

"Everyday we hope well wake up from this awful nightmare." - Victoria Sara Kingyen

We were told there was a mass cancerous tumour (Medulloblastoma) in his brain. A neurosurgeon at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax was notified and reviewed Camdens scan. They requested us to be at IWK as soon as possible, and we were transported by ambulance, arriving that evening at 6 p.m., she continued.

Camden had a 90-minute MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan at the IWK that revealed smaller tumors surrounding the large mass, including tumors all the way down his spine.

Brain surgery was required, and after chemotherapy.

His case is advanced and will require an aggressive treatment plan. We were all absolutely shocked at the news after the CT scan and then again after the MRI. Our life changed in an instant and now we are helping our beautiful baby boy fight for his life.

Everyday we hope well wake up from this awful nightmare. My husband Matt, owner of Advanced Builders Inc. in Summerside, will be travelling back and forth between P.E.I. and Halifax, and then to Toronto, while I stay with Camden at the hospitals, continued Victoria, who added Camdens older brother has been coping well so far from the separation.

Camden requires nine-weeks of chemotherapy treatment at the IWK, which started on Jan. 3.

After the treatment, if his body is responding, we will travel to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for an extra nine-weeks of what they call big chemotherapy.

During his first treatments at the IWK, Victoria and Camden will make two short trips to Toronto for stem cell harvesting. Stem cells will be harvested to essentially rescue his body from the chemotherapy as the doses increase.

Before Camden started chemotherapy, he had four surgeries over Christmas, said Victoria, who gave up work to take care of her son full-time.

Aaron Dawson, owner of Hustle Athletic Training Inc. in Summerside, is hosting a fundraiser called Push-ups for Cam to help support the family.

When I was at my former location, I was a personal trainer for Matt Kingyen, and his company called Advanced Builders Inc. did all the renovations of this gym and made Hustle what it is today. Victoria is also my bookkeeper here, Dawson explained his connection to the family.

I learned about their son a couple of weeks ago, and things have happened fairly quickly since then. It was a shock. I have three small kids of my own, they play with the Kingyen children, so it breaks your heart. I wanted to help the family in some way, he said.

Dawson is looking for pledges per push-up, which will take place at Hustle Athletic Training Inc.located at 465 Water Street in Summerside on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.

You can pledge $1 per push-up, so if I end up doing 200 push-ups in the hour, you owe $200. Its totally up to you how much you pledge it could even be 1 cent, he said.

Hustle Athletic Training Inc. will collect pledge donations after the event that's open to the public and will be filmed live on the gyms Facebook page.

To learn more visit, facebook.com/HustleAthleticTrainingPEI or call Aaron Dawson on, 902-315-1950.

Pledge forms can be downloaded here.

Here is the original post:
Summerside gym needs donations for three-year-old boy with cancerous brain tumors - The Journal Pioneer

West Norwood girl, 3, dies in her parents’ arms after brave battle with leukaemia – MyLondon

By adminJanuary 7, 2020Stem Cell Doctors

An inspirational young girl from South London who bravely battled leukaemia for 18 months has died.

Esme Handley, 3, was diagnosed with high risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) while on holiday in Greece in June 2018.

The courageous toddler, who lived in West Norwood with her parents Will and Rebecca, underwent extensive treatment after more than 400,000 was raised through donations.

But Esme's condition deteriorated in recent months and she died in her parents' arms on New Year's Day.

Writing on her Facebook page , called Esme Lion Heart, Will and Rebecca said: "If you look to the sky tonight you will see a star shining brighter than any other.

"Our darling girl went onwards with her journey at midday [on January 1]. She was peaceful and in our arms and knew how ridiculously adored she was."

Esme was just 22 months old when her parents were given the heartbreaking news that she had leukaemia.

They became concerned with some bruising on her body after a fall, and after being told the news by doctors spent the second night of the holiday "in tears".

Esme's blood tests were examined at a regional hospital, which led to the diagnosis.

On what would have been the third day of the holiday, the family flew back to London and went straight to King's College Hospital, where doctors confirmed Esme had AML.

Esme, who loved lions, narwhals and playing hide and seek outside, was then transferred to the Royal Marsden, where she spent five months as an in-patient. In September 2018 she received a stem cell transplant, after three rounds of intense chemotherapy.

In November 2018, Esme was told she could go home, to the delight of her family. But in April last year, after six months ofrecovering, the family were told the leukaemia had returned.

In November, Will and Rebecca were told Esme only had a matter of weeks to live after being told the leukaemia was "out of control".

The family spent the last weeks of Esme's life at the Royal Marsden.

Before Esme died and in a bid to fund a second stem cell transplant which was not eligible on the NHS, the family set up a gofundme page to fund the 500,000 needed for the private treatment.

The page has raised 428,000 from over 10,000 donations, and was the biggest appeal created in 2019 in the UK, according to gofundme.

Will and Rebecca are now determined to build a lasting legacy foundation in Esme's name and say any unspent money will be donated to The Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

"Given how desperately poor the funding is into paediatric AML research, we feel even more strongly about this now," Esme's parents said.

"So a large chunk of the cash we have remaining (after spending some on novel drugs and supportive care) will be donated to AML research to try and spare future families the pain and anguish we have experienced.

"Our darling little girl, however, was SO, SO much more than cancer and we owe it to her to ensure she isnt forgotten.

"Therefore, we are going to increase our fundraising target so in time we can create some kind of legacy foundation in Esme's name. If our story has touched you, please help us to achieve this by donating or simply sharing far and wide."

Although Esme spent Christmas in hospital, she was still treated to a number of special trips.

Having been bed-ridden for nearly three months, she was taken out of her room in her pushchair and visited the Christmas trees around the hospital, taking baubles for her own tree.

Esme saw the Christmas lights in Morden and was treated to a private screening of Frozen 2 at Everyman Esher, complete with Elsa and Anna impersonators who sang to Esme.

The family also had puppet theatre performers, therapy dogs and ZooLabs collection of creepy crawlies and rodents visit Esme's room.

Will and Rebecca have understandably been left heartbroken by their only daughters death.

"We gave up everything to get Esme through this," said Will.

"Childhood cancer has quite literally become our entire life - we know nothing else.

"Weve lived in total isolation, not really going anywhere or seeing anyone since June 2018 - so the thought of the future, let alone a future without Esme, feels very uncertain, very lonely and very bleak."

To visit the gofundme page go to http://www.gofundme.com/help-2-year-old-esme-cure-her-leukaemia .

Want more news? Go to our homepage .

Got a story? Email samuel.truelove@reachplc.com.

To keep up-to-date with all the latest breaking news, stories and events happening across South London, give the My South London Facebook page a like.

We will provide you with the latest traffic and travel updates, including updates on train and London Underground services, in areas including Southwark, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, Wandsworth, Merton, Lambeth and Brixton.

The latest breaking news will be brought straight to your news feed including updates from the police, ambulance and fire brigade. We will also bring you updates from our courts and councils, as well as more lighthearted long reads.

We also publish your pictures and videos, so do message us with your stories.

Like the My South London Facebook page here.

You can also follow us on Twitter here.