Author Archives: admin


Burning Rock Publishes 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F

GUANGZHOU, China, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burning Rock Biotech Limited (NASDAQ: BNR and LSE: BNR, the “Company” or “Burning Rock”), a company focused on the application of next generation sequencing technology in the field of precision oncology, announces that on April 21, 2023 it filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Form 20-F”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Form 20-F is available for viewing on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and also on the Company’s website at http://ir.brbiotech.com. The Form 20-F has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

Read the rest here:
Burning Rock Publishes 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F

Stem Cell Market To Be Driven By Increasing Activities To Use Stem … – Digital Journal

PRESS RELEASE

Published April 18, 2023

The report tracks the latest trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market. It also assesses the market dynamics, covering the key demand and price indicators, along with analysing the market based on the SWOT and Porters Five Forces models.

Request a free sample copy in PDF or view the report [emailprotected]https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/stem-cell-market/requestsample

The key highlights of the report include:

Market Overview (2018-2028)

The stem cell business is growing due to an increase in activities to use stem cells in regenerative treatments due to their medicinal qualities. The increasing use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for the treatment of hereditary cardiac difficulties, neurological illnesses, and genetic diseases such as recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RBED) is driving the market forward.

Furthermore, because human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may reverse immunosuppression, they serve as a major source of cells for auto logic stem cell therapy, boosting the industrys expansion. Furthermore, the rising incentives provided by major businesses to deliver breakthrough stem cell therapies, as well as the increased use of modern resources and techniques in research and development activities (R&D), are propelling the stem cell market forward.

Because of increased research and development (R&D) in the United States and Canada, North America accounts for a significant portion of the overall stem cell business. Furthermore, the increased frequency of non-communicable chronic diseases such as cancer and Parkinsons disease, among others, is boosting the use of stem cell therapy, boosting the industrys growth.

Furthermore, the regions strong healthcare sector is improving access to innovative cell therapy treatments, assisting the regional stem cell industrys expansion. Aside from that, due to the rising use of regenerative treatments, the Asia Pacific area is predicted to rise rapidly. Furthermore, rising clinical trials are assisting market expansion due to low labour costs and the availability of raw materials in the region, contributing considerably to overall industry growth.

Stem Cell Industry Definition and Major Segments

A stem cell is a type of cell that has the ability to develop into a variety of cells, including brain cells and muscle cells. It can also help to repair tissues that have been injured. Because stem cells have the potential to treat a variety of non-communicable and chronic diseases, including Alzheimers and diabetes, theyre being used in medical and biotechnological research to repair tissue damage caused by diseases.

Explore the full report with the table of [emailprotected]https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/stem-cell-market

The major product types of stem cell are:

The market can be broadly categorised on the basis of its treatment types into:

Based on applications, the market is divided into:

The EMR report looks into the regional markets of stem cell-like:

Stem Cell Market Trends

The market is expected to rise due to increased research activity in regenerative medicine and biotechnology to personalise stem cell therapy. The usage of stem cells is predicted to increase as the need for treatment of common disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), grows among the growing geriatric population. Due to multiple error bars during research operations, it becomes extremely difficult to characterise cell products because each cell has unique properties. As a result, the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and machine learning is accelerating. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to analyse images quickly, forecast cell functions, and classify tissues in order to identify cell products, which is expected to boost the market growth.

With the rising frequency of cancer and cancer-related research initiatives, blockchain technology is increasingly being used to collect and assimilate data in order to improve access to clinical outcomes and the latest advances. Blockchain can also help with data storage for patients while improving the cost-effectiveness of cord-blood banking for advanced research and development (R&D) purposes. In addition, the use of machine learning techniques to analyse photos and infer the relationship between cellular features is boosting the market growth. The increased interest in understanding cellular processes and identifying critical processes using deep learning is expected to move the stem cell business forward.

Key Market Players

The major players in the market are Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Cellular Engineering Technologies, Merck KGaA, Becton, Dickinson and Company, and STEMCELL Technologies Inc The report covers the market shares, capacities, plant turnarounds, expansions, investments and mergers and acquisitions, among other latest developments of these market players.

Read More Reports:-

Acute Respiratory Syndrome Treatment Market: https://hbusnews.com/acute-respiratory-syndrome-treatment-market-share-size-trends-price-growth-analysis-report-forecast-2023-2031/

Gauchers Disease Treatment Market: https://hbusnews.com/gauchers-disease-treatment-market-size-share-price-trends-growth-analysis-report-forecast-2023-2031/

Hypophosphatasia Treatment Market: https://hbusnews.com/hypophosphatasia-treatment-market-size-share-price-trends-growth-analysis-report-forecast-2023-2031/

Myopia Treatment Devices Market: https://hbusnews.com/myopia-treatment-devices-market-size-share-price-trends-growth-analysis-report-forecast-2023-2031/

Cosmetic Oil Market: https://hbusnews.com/cosmetic-oil-market-share-size-trends-price-growth-analysis-report-forecast-2023-2028/

About Us:

Expert Market Research (EMR) is leading market research company with clients across the globe. Through comprehensive data collection and skilful analysis and interpretation of data, the company offers its clients extensive, latest and actionable market intelligence which enables them to make informed and intelligent decisions and strengthen their position in the market. The clientele ranges from Fortune 1000 companies to small and medium scale enterprises.

EMR customises syndicated reports according to clients requirements and expectations. The company is active across over 15 prominent industry domains, including food and beverages, chemicals and materials, technology and media, consumer goods, packaging, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, among others.

Over 3000 EMR consultants and more than 100 analysts work very hard to ensure that clients get only the most updated, relevant, accurate and actionable industry intelligence so that they may formulate informed, effective and intelligent business strategies and ensure their leadership in the market.

Media Contact:

Company Name: Claight CorporationContact Person: John Walker, Corporate Sales Specialist U.S.A.Email: [emailprotected]Toll Free Number: +1-415-325-5166 | +44-702-402-5790Address: 30 North Gould Street, Sheridan, WY 82801, USAWebsite: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com

Read the original post:
Stem Cell Market To Be Driven By Increasing Activities To Use Stem ... - Digital Journal

A protein extracted from squid may help increase tissue growth for regenerative medicine – Phys.org

This article has been reviewed according to ScienceX's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

by Russian Foundation for Basic Research

Collagen is the basic protein that makes up the intercellular matrix, or in other words, the environment for the connective tissue cells of our body, such as tendons, bone, and cartilage. It looks like long threads, woven into three-dimensional networks. This, in turn, creates a kind of a tissue scaffold.

Due to the fact that collagen fibers are durable, elastic, and also serve as signals that determine the cell's so-called destiny, in medicine they are used as an environment to accelerate growth and differentiation of tissues, for example in wound healing. Most often such materials are artificially synthesized from collagen dissolution. However, even the most advanced technologies are unable to create collagen "networks" that exactly repeat the structure of a natural cellular environment, most favorable for its regeneration, or in other words, tissue repair.

Scientists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Kaliningrad) with their colleagues from Voronezh State University (Voronezh) have proposed to use natural collagen extracted from Dosidicus gigas squid as tissue scaffold for growing cells instead of artificially synthesized collagen.

This large marine animal is the most popular commercial species of squid that is used in cooking and also by scientists when studying animal brain and behavior. With regard to the availability and high volumes of Dosidicus gigas catch (up to 700 tons a year), this species may yet become a source of collagen for medical purposes on an industrial scale. Structure of the scaffold material. Credit: Evgeny Chupakhin

The authors have extracted collagen from the squid's skin, then the protein was blended with glycerin and water and dried in a special chamber, in order to shape it in the form of a scaffold. The durability and elasticity of the resulting fibrous material was then tested by stretching the sample. It turned out that the material's mechanical properties matched those already used as cell scaffolds in regenerative medicine.

Analysis of amino acid sequence, which is part of the protein, has shown that the Dosidicus gigas collagen is similar to mammal collagen, making it possible to be used when working wit human cell cultures with no risk of rejection.

In order to experimentally prove that the squid scaffold is suitable for growing human cells, scientists have placed samples into small plastic nutrient-filled walls, and afterwards applied human stem cell cultures onto their surfaces.

Cell culture observation has shown that in four days the cells strongly bound to the collagen scaffold, forming a big network with each other. Besides that, cells began to actively interact with the substrate, transforming it and releasing extracellular matrix into the environmentmolecules which play an important role in tissue restoration. The authors have also concluded that squid collagen has no toxic effect, since the median survival of cells that were cultivated there was 90%.

"The technology of creating collagen scaffolds of squid protein is quite simple, and therefore can be easily used at an industrial scale. The experiments have shown that our proposed material has high durability and elasticity, it is biocompatible, non-toxic, and also contributes to growth, division and migration of human embryonic cells. This suggests that it can be considered a promising replacement for synthetic collagen, currently used in modern regenerative medicine," says Evgeny Chupakhin, associate professor of PSC Institute of Medicine and Life Sciences at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University.

The results of the work have already attracted the interest of the industry. For example, only one company, Varseas, produces collagen of the described type in Russia.

The study is published in the journal Polymers.

More information: Veronika Anohova et al, The Dosidicus gigas Collagen for Scaffold Preparation and Cell Cultivation: Mechanical and Physicochemical Properties, Morphology, Composition and Cell Viability, Polymers (2023). DOI: 10.3390/polym15051220

Provided by Russian Foundation for Basic Research

View post:
A protein extracted from squid may help increase tissue growth for regenerative medicine - Phys.org

Canadian scientists discovered stem cells now give them the tools to end diabetes – Toronto Star

Our health care system is struggling with challenges in funding, staffing and the deep scars left by the coronavirus pandemic. But Canada is also leading the world in research for the chronic diseases that put the most pressure on our health care system.

Canada has the ability and talent to launch the moon shots that lead to next-generation treatments utilizing stem cell and gene therapy or regenerative medicine. We just need the ambition to do it. The reality today is Canada lags behind other nations in translating research success into health innovation, as was acknowledged recently by the federal governments Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System. Its time to address the obstacles in the way.

Advanced medical research in Canada is making dramatic progress with discoveries that have the potential to heal damaged organs, reverse the effects of chronic conditions and create economic growth. Policymakers and government officials should support and fund life-science innovations so the benefits of our discoveries are realized here and take pressure off our health care system. This means following through on targeted medical research until advanced therapies are ready to benefit patients in large numbers.

For example, Canadian researchers have discovery projects underway with the potential to cure Type 1 diabetes, which requires patients to regularly inject insulin. A broad network of research and innovation experts are working to improve the function of insulin-producing stem cells that can be transplanted into diabetes patients in a project led by the University of Torontos Medicine by Design and UHNs McEwen Stem Cell Institute. Its a transformative therapy that could make certain types of diabetes curable rather than a lifelong condition. Once realized, these new therapies can free up health care resources for other ailments.

This project, among others at Medicine by Design, is made possible by the federal governments $114-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund in 2016. It has produced positive results toward the goal of ending diabetes, but its funding is based on a date on the calendar and its due to end this year.

Our goal for a diabetes cure should be on par with other big societal challenges like climate change. But there is a lack of funding and policy support to take our best research discoveries and provide them with the resources to get homegrown treatments into the clinic faster.

Click to expand

Projects on track to be successful are often stymied when their funding expires. When that happens, these projects and the research talent behind them may relocate to other countries. So Canada starts the research with heavy taxpayer investment, but often loses out on the economic benefits flowing from the breakthroughs.

We must provide a complete path for promising discoveries. That means providing resources for taking projects all the way to scaleup, regulatory approval and the clinic. As outlined by the advisory panel, increased investment in world-leading discovery research is essential to ensure a pipeline of new opportunities. But we also need a strategic approach to support promising scientific discoveries based on reaching ambitious targets.

What does success look like? New made-in-Canada advances will keep more people out of hospital. Patients whose treatment options are now limited will have a much higher quality of life. And long-term economic growth and high-paying career opportunities in life science and biomanufacturing, two important sectors of the global innovation economy.

Regenerative medicine can help reinvent a health-care system where common diseases and chronic treatments are a thing of the past, or require much less medical care. Canada can be a world leader in exporting these advances.

The missing ingredients are a strategic framework, research funding that targets innovation goals and the ambition to launch medical research moon shots.

Read more here:
Canadian scientists discovered stem cells now give them the tools to end diabetes - Toronto Star

Opinion | This Could Be One of the Most Brazen Attacks on … – The New York Times

In their zeal to continue upending abortion access after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, legislators, activists and litigants have pushed increasingly extreme measures that disregard medical science, insert government into the exam room and increase the odds of maternal deaths. Not satisfied with banning abortion in their home states, some lawmakers are trying to restrict access in other states as well a chilling attempt to intimidate patients and physicians alike.

Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court faces a decision that lays bare the threat to facts, evidence and the health of Americas patients. The case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. F.D.A. in which anti-abortion organizations and doctors who have never prescribed the pill mifepristone argue, absurdly, that 23 years ago the F.D.A. did not follow proper protocol in approving it as part of a two-drug regimen for abortion is one of the most brazen attacks yet against reproductive health. If the lower courts rulings on mifepristone are not reversed entirely, it could also upend the Food and Drug Administrations drug regulatory process. This would throw our health care system into chaos in ways that extend far beyond the specific fight over mifepristone, a highly effective drug that has been used safely by millions of patients for medication abortions and for miscarriage care for more than two decades.

In seeking to restrict access to abortion across the United States, the plaintiffs in this case have, intentionally or not, seriously jeopardized our nations 85-year-old drug regulatory system. We must be cleareyed; upholding any parts of the district courts dangerous ruling would in all likelihood almost immediately prompt challenges to other longstanding safe and effective F.D.A.-approved drugs that doctors and patients rely on every day.

After three years of politicization fueled by disinformation, this would surely include challenges to many vaccines, including those that reduce the risks of serious illness from Covid-19. We should expect lawsuits against common types of safe and highly effective hormonal birth control, including emergency contraception. Also at risk: drugs used to treat cancer and arthritis that can incidentally affect unexpected pregnancies, drugs to prevent or treat H.I.V., and medications aimed at providing gender-affirming care.

The threat may ultimately include promising drugs and treatments built around stem cell technology to treat Parkinsons, Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis or even more common types of chronic disease, such as diabetes. With ever-growing anti-science aggression, disinformation campaigns and vitriol about all types of medical advancements, there is no telling where the court challenges may lead perhaps even to widely used drugs now sold over the counter to treat pain, allergies or heartburn that happen to have been studied with fetal stem cells.

This would represent a dangerous and reckless step backward for our country. More people would live sicker, suffer more and die younger while the scientifically proven safe and effective drugs they need remain locked away.

We simply cannot be a country where your access to the care you need is determined by the whims of ideologically driven judges and lawmakers without medical or scientific training. Thats why a dozen of the nations leading medical organizations, including the one I head, the American Medical Association, strongly oppose this politically motivated assault on patient and physician autonomy and have filed amicus briefs to make our case.

We cannot allow pseudoscience and speculation to override the substantial weight of scientific evidence from more than 100 studies and millions of patients that confirm the safety and efficacy of a drug or course of treatment.

The legal challenge to mifepristone threatens grave harm to our patients, public health and the shared decision-making at the core of the physician-patient relationship. But there are even broader implications of this case: the integrity of the long-established F.D.A.-approval process and whether we want science or ideologues informing decisions about our individual and collective health.

Jack Resneck Jr. (@JackResneckMD), a physician at the University of California, San Francisco, is president of the American Medical Association.

Source photograph by James Worrell/Time & Life Pictures, via Shutterstock.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.

Read this article:
Opinion | This Could Be One of the Most Brazen Attacks on ... - The New York Times

Adult stem cell therapy validated as alternative to total hip replacement – Guardian Nigeria

A new study has validated adult stem cell therapy as alternative to total hip replacement in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis.

The study published in the April edition of the Journal of International Case Reports (ICARE) is titled Adult Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Total Hip Arthroplasty in Severe Hip Osteoarthritis.

Medical Director of Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, Lekki, Lagos, Dr. David Ikudayisi, led the study.

Hip osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of chronic hip joint pain and disability worldwide. According to research, the global incidence of hip osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019 increased from 0.74 million to 1.58 million.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of adult stem cell therapy as an alternative to total hip arthroplasty in severe hip osteoarthritis.

Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint. Resurfacing the bones can restore a joint. An artificial joint (called a prosthesis) may also be used. Various types of arthritis may affect the joints.

A case study of a patient that had adult stem cell therapy on account of severe right hip osteoarthritis was used. Right hip severity was assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale. Radiologic studies (X-ray and MRI) were done. The patient had a session of adult stem cell therapy (autologous mesenchymal cells) and was observed for six months, then had allogenic exosomes and plasma rich platelet therapy. At 10 months, the patient had another session of ADSC Therapy and PRP Therapy and was observed with a follow up for 24 months.

The WOMAC and HHS assessed on the (zero, six, 12 and 24 months) showed quality improvement from an initial score of 96/96 to a score of 0/96 and from 31 per cent to 97 per cent at 24 months respectively. Post procedure radiologic studies of the hip done at the same months showed marked progressive changes.

The researchers concluded: Adult stem cell therapy is a promising alternative method of treatment in people with severe hip osteoarthritis. Results showed a positive outcome according to all the grading systems used in this study and this patient was followed up for 24 months and, he is still being followed up, which is proving its advantage in long-term outcome.

Commenting on the study, Ikudayisi said: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease that has evidence-based conservative treatment options like exercise, weight management, patient education and some medications for pain. Definitive therapy known for stage 4 is usually total hip replacement, which is a surgical procedure, which is where adult stem cell therapy has it advantage as it is minimally invasive, safe, and with no reported treatment related adverse effect.

Recent literature has revealed the anti-inflammatory and healing properties of stem cells. The use of autologous SVF and BMAC in conjunction with PRP could be a novel therapy. Future studies could help to establish appropriate clinical protocols including repeat dosing, quantity/volume of MSCs (BMAC and SVF) or concentration of PRP for specific indications. Also, future studies need to compare cases with and without intravenous transplantation of SVF to determine the extent of the role of systemic transplantation of autologous SVF in localised regeneration of the hip joints.

Proposed mechanisms of action in this patient could be a paracrine effect or engraftment of the injected cells. The injection of the MSCs (ADSCs and BMSCs) most probably stimulated a reduction of inflammation followed by the formation of new, healthy tissue.

Direct injection of MSCs (SVF and BMAC) plus PRP in severe hip osteoarthritis can be effectively and safely completed in an outpatient setting according to this case study. The patient tolerated the procedure with no reported adverse events. Radiographic imaging depicted the stages of healing after a single injection of the cellular mixture. Anticipated outcomes for healing processes and detailed protocols could be determined with larger clinical studies.

Go here to read the rest:
Adult stem cell therapy validated as alternative to total hip replacement - Guardian Nigeria

Reinforcement learning: from board games to protein design – UW Medicine Newsroom

Scientists have successfully applied reinforcement learning to a challenge in molecular biology.

A team led by UW Medicine researchersdeveloped powerful new protein design software adapted from a strategy proven adept at board games like chess and Go. In one experiment, proteins made with the new approach were found to be effective at generating useful antibodies in mice.

Reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning in which a computer program learns to make decisions by trying different actions and receiving feedback. Such an algorithm can learn to play chess, for example, by testing millions of different moves that lead to victory or defeat on the board. Theprogram isdesigned to learn from these experiences and become better at making decisions over time.

To make a reinforcement learning program for protein design, the scientists gave the computer millions of simple starting molecules. The software then made ten thousand attempts at randomly improving each toward a predefined goal. The computer lengthened the proteins or bent them in specific ways until it learned how to contort them into desired shapes.

The findings, reported April 21 in Science, suggest that this breakthrough may soon lead to more potent vaccines. More broadly, the approach could lead to a new era in protein design.

"Our results show that reinforcement learning can do more than master board games. When trained to solve long-standing puzzles in protein science, the software excelled at creating useful molecules," said senior authorDavid Baker, professor of biochemistry at the UW School of Medicine in Seattle and a recipient of the 2021 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.

"If this method is applied to the right research problems, he said, it could accelerate progress in a variety of scientific fields."

The research is a milestone in tapping artificial intelligence to conduct protein science research. The potential applications are vast, from developing more effective cancer treatments to creating new biodegradable textiles.

Isaac D. Lutz, Shunzhi Wang, and ChristofferNorn, all members ofthe Baker Lab, led the research. Their teams Science manuscript is titled "Top-down design of protein architectures with reinforcement learning."

"Our approach is unique because we use reinforcement learning to solve the problem of creating protein shapes that fit together like pieces of a puzzle," explained co-lead author Lutz, a doctoral student at theUW Medicine Institute for Protein Design."This simply was not possible using prior approaches and has the potential to transform the types of molecules we can build."

As part of this study, the scientists manufactured hundreds of AI-designed proteins in the lab. Using electron microscopes and other instruments, they confirmed that many of the protein shapes created by the computer were indeed realized in the lab.

This approach proved not only accurate but also highly customizable. For example, we asked the software to make spherical structures with no holes, small holes, or large holes. Its potential to make all kinds of architectures has yet to be fully explored, said co-lead author Shunzhi Wang, a postdoctoral scholar at the UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design.

The team concentrated on designing new nano-scale structures composed of many protein molecules. This required designing both the protein components themselves and the chemical interfaces that allow the nano-structures to self-assemble.

Electron microscopy confirmed that numerous AI-designed nano-structures were able to form in the lab. As a measure of how accurate the design software had become, the scientists observed many unique nano-structures in which every atom was found to be in the intended place. In other words, the deviation between the intended and realized nano-structure was on average less than the width of a single atom. This is called atomically accurate design.

The authors foresee a future in which this approach could enable them and others to create therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and other molecules that could not have been made using prior methods.

Researchers from the UW Medicine Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine used primary cell models of blood vessel cells to show that the designed protein scaffolds outperformed previous versions of the technology. For example, because the receptors that help cells receive and interpret signals were clustered more densely on the more compact scaffolds, they were more effective at promoting blood vessel stability.

Hannele Ruohola-Baker, a UW School of Medicine professor of biochemistry and one of the studys authors, spoke to the implications of the investigation for regenerative medicine: The more accurate the technology becomes, the more it opens up potential applications, including vascular treatments for diabetes, brain injuries, strokes, and other cases where blood vessels are at risk. We can also imagine more precise delivery of factors that we use to differentiate stem cells into various cell types, giving us new ways to regulate the processes of cell development and aging.

This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health (P30 GM124169, S10OD018483, 1U19AG065156-01, T90 DE021984, 1P01AI167966); Open Philanthropy Project and The Audacious Project at the Institute for Protein Design; Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF170C0030446); Microsoft; and Amgen. Research was in part conducted at the Advanced Light Source, a national user facility operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy

Written by Ian Haydon, UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design

View original post here:
Reinforcement learning: from board games to protein design - UW Medicine Newsroom

LVMH’s head of research: ‘What matters for Dior is to invent and be a … – Glossy

Reverse aging research is all the rage, with medical companies and now beauty brands exploring how to tap into a newer and more advanced concept than anti-aging.

Most recently, Dior Beauty stepped into the spotlight with its late-March announcement at the 21st Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress in Monaco that it had established an International Reverse Aging Scientific Advisory Board. Comprising the board are 600 researchers and 18 experts, including Dr. Nicola Neretti, a biologist at the Institute for Brain & Neural Systems at Brown University, and Dr. David Furman, the director of the 1000 Immunomes Project at Stanford University. Diors own research will add to the knowledge base on aging science around stem cells, inflammation and cell communication. The idea is to better understand the 12 signs of aging, including genomic instability, epigenetic changes, stem cell fatigue and chronic inflammation. It will then weave that knowledge into skin-care product innovations to reverse these signs, according to Bruno Bavouzet, evp of R&D at LMVH, who oversees all beauty brands including Dior, Givenchy, Fresh and Benefit Cosmetics.

Our No. 1 goal is understanding the different path [around aging], from a biological standpoint. With time, we will make discoveries on the real mechanisms that accelerate aging, he said. No. 2 is to identify the potential actions that we can have through cosmetic [products] and how can we can [reverse] the biological age.

Bavouzet spoke with Glossy further about the concept of reverse aging, including why Dior is exploring the topic, what can be gained with the new advisory board and what a collective intelligence approach means. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

What does reverse aging mean?When we talk about reverse aging, basically what we know is that chronological age is different from biological age. That means that if you are 40- or 50-years-old, that definitely is your chronological age, but your biological age and the age of your cells can be different. We know in medicine that you can reverse your biological age by adding good health practices. What we dont always understand is the mechanisms of these aging processes and how they are connected to each other. The first stage [of our research] is to better understand the underlying mechanisms, with all their biological complexity, and why we are aging differently.

Reverse aging starts with the 12 hallmarks of aging. Historically, anti-aging people used to work on one approach, perhaps it was stem cells or polymers, et cetera. But we believe the best approach [to reverse aging or anti-aging] is a holistic approach. But that can be complex. Because there has been progress in biological discoveries and big data, we are able to [process] complex information.

What is the boards purpose and what does it do?We believe [the field of] reverse aging is impacted by very different biological mechanisms. And we believe that we need to have all the people in different fields work together, exchange information and build bridges between topics. We are working on reverse aging internally, obviously, but we want to accelerate that [research], meaning that we need more insights, from a scientific standpoint, on discoveries, [as well as] more data, and more experience. The board is advising us on our research. It will regroup several times a year. But throughout the year, we might also have continuous exchanges on specific topics with around four people. Its about building what I would call a collective intelligence approach, meaning that we are grouping all these people who are experts on the human body, while we [Dior] work on the skin. Not all of them are skin experts, but they can help us translate some research on different [scientific] topics to the skin, as well.

Why is Dior Beauty the right LVMH brand for this research?Dior has always been science-focused. Dior was the first brand back in the 1980s to launch liposomes in the skin-care industry. Thats really something that was important at the time with big effects. Its true that when you think about Dior, you obviously think about fashion and makeup. But Dior has always been thinking about and integrating the idea of how to make women happier. At an early stage [in the brands history] it started to launch skin-care products that were acting on the transformation of the skin. What matters for Dior is to invent and be a pioneer in beauty, as it has in the fashion industry.

What has spurred this reverse aging focus?There is a continuity from what has historically been the focus of anti-aging. The topic is also led by medicine. There has been a lot of progress in medicine and many therapies, like stem cells which are considered the mother cell, and trying to apply the same science to cosmetics. Obviously, we cannot do exactly the same thing. But when we started to work about 10-15 years ago on the microbiome of the skin, we got inspiration from work that was focused on [gastrointestinal science]. It is a pretty similar approach we are conducting here with reverse aging.

Go here to read the rest:
LVMH's head of research: 'What matters for Dior is to invent and be a ... - Glossy

Exosome Therapy For Skin Care & Hair Loss Is A Promising … – The Zoe Report

Our skin is designed to heal itself, but like the need to down a shot of espresso to get going into the morning, sometimes the organ needs an extra kick. Thats where exosome therapy comes into play, the latest trend in the aesthetics space. Falling under the regenerative therapy umbrella, a category of treatments that use stem cells or platelets (like in PRP) to replace or regenerate the skin in order to improve texture and tone, exosomes are poised to become the next It girl in skin care. And like PRP, this treatment can also be used to treat hair loss by stimulating the hair follicles.

Until recently, exosomes were dismissed as mere byproducts of cellular activity, but recent research has revealed their incredible potential to transform how we approach skin care and hair care a modern-day Cinderella story, if you will. Especially because the science behind the treatment has a long-lasting, holistic effect rather than arguably functioning like a Bandaid for skin concerns like Botox and many fillers do. Exosomes are usually derived from stem cells and contain signaling molecules and growth factors designed to stimulate regeneration and healing, explains Dr. Julie Russak, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City.

But, as with any trendy new beauty treatment, its important to get the facts before touting it as a game-changing innovation. Ahead, TZR gets the lowdown on exosome therapy with the help of a few dermatologists, including its benefits and whether or not it lives up to its promises of healthy skin and hair.

To put it simply, exosomes are tiny vesicles (bubbles) that help cells communicate with each other. When they are injected into tissue, they can reprogram surrounding cells to start growing and regenerating. These vesicles contain amino acids, proteins, lipids, peptides, and growth factors, which are all beneficial to the skin and hair. This manifests aesthetically as improved skin texture, increased hydration, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and improved overall skin tone and brightness. They can also promote hair growth by stimulating and strengthening hair follicles, and promotes thicker strands.

It's important to note that exosomes need a little help to work their magic. When applied topically, they are unable to penetrate the skin's surface and end up just hanging out on the outermost layer. To be effective, they must be infused deep into the epidermis, which is why they are typically used in conjunction with other treatments that create disruptions in the skin like resurfacing lasers or microneedling (a technique that creates tiny channels on the skin's surface). The therapy can also be combined with other regenerative therapies, like PRP or stem cell therapy, to further enhance their effectiveness.

Another reason why you wont see the vesicles on the inkey lists of skin care products at Sephora? Exosomes are highly fragile and need to be refrigerated at cold temperatures; they cannot survive for long outside of these conditions. So, for example, a cream touting exosome technology could possibly possess [similar] benefits, but the end product is non-living, and more testing needs to be done to determine the biological effect, explains Dr. Sanjay Batra, Ph.D., a regenerative medicine expert.

Exosomes are an excellent solution for tackling wrinkles as these tiny vesicles can effectively stimulate cell growth and repair. Due to their unique ability to transport to directed sources, they are far more efficacious than simply applying peptides or growth factors directly on the skin, explains board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ocean Skin & Vein Institute, Dr. Divya Shokeen, M.D. Anyone looking to bring a bit of vibrancy back to their face can benefit from the therapy, as it increases collagen and elastin production and the dermatologist says, has been shown to have a significant visible reduction in fine lines, aging, and sunspots. What's more, exosomes have anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm skin. Research also shows they can minimize the symptoms of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Within just one week of treatment, you may notice an improvement in texture, tone, firmness, the appearance of pore size, and the look of fine lines. Continued use of exosome therapy can lead to long-term improvements, resulting in healthier, stronger, and more youthful-looking skin over time, adds Dr. Russak.

Exosomes not only trigger healing and tissue regeneration on your face, but also in the cells of hair follicles on the scalp, which results in a stronger potential for regrowth in those experiencing hair loss. Russak explains, By delivering these molecules to the skin on the scalp and directly to the hair follicles, we can provide intensive hair rejuvenation benefits and signal the hair follicles to grow healthy hair. When hair follicles quit, we deliver both exosomes into the scalp to awaken the follicle and stimulate hair growth.

While many people turn to PRP injections for hair growth, Dr. Russak notes, exosomes are the superior option compared to PRP due to their increased potency and reliability. Unlike PRP, which is derived from platelets in our blood, the vesicles are extracted from stem cells found in sources such as fat, umbilical cords, or bone marrow. "The growth factors in our PRP may be weaker depending on our age and health status," she explains. "Exosomes contain growth factors and signaling molecules for regeneration and healing, which are extracted from inside the fresh cell. Many are also from embryonic stem cells, which are brand-new cells that have the most regenerative potential possible." Research also shows that they can help cells grow and heal wounds better than PRP can without having to use a patient's own blood.

Exosome therapy is paving the way for a new era in beauty treatments that prioritize skin and hair regeneration over simply masking common concerns like visible signs of aging. With the ability to promote natural healing and rejuvenation, this therapy offers a promising solution for those looking to keep their skin and hair in tip top shape for the long term.

(Stay Up To Date)

Become A Style Insider

Join The Zoe Reports exclusive email list for the latest trends, shopping guides, celebrity style, and more.

Read more here:
Exosome Therapy For Skin Care & Hair Loss Is A Promising ... - The Zoe Report