Author Archives: admin


Lung Institute Instrumental in Allowing Robert Ware to Get His Life Back

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) June 19, 2014

Located in Tampa, FL, Lung Institute was instrumental in allowing Robert Ware get his life back. Three months ago, Robert decided to take his health into his own hands and move ahead with stem cell treatment. Hundreds of people with lung disease have been treated with the companys innovative use of stem cells from the patients own body.

Stem cell therapy is a viable option for many people with lung disease, said Dr. Burton Feinerman, Medical Director of the Lung Institute. Our patients are breathing easier, walking further, and depending less on supplemental oxygen.

For Robert, 71, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was taking over his life. Over the past decade, this progressive lung disease diminished his quality of life and forced him away from the activities he used to love. Robert was unable to be outdoors, attend live music shows in the town squares and work on his yard and landscaping. A few months ago, Robert had a health scare that he thought was a heart attack. He was actually experiencing lung spasms and not receiving enough oxygen, often referred to as a COPD exacerbation.

COPD is not only the third leading cause of death in the United States, but is responsible for severely limiting sufferers quality of life. People with COPD often cant even walk to their mailbox without debilitating shortness of breath. For people without COPD, it is akin to breathing through a small straw while carrying out normal activities.

In Roberts case, his exacerbation caused him to look for alternatives to the traditional medications he had been taking. Robert and his wife decided stem cell therapy at the Lung Institute was the best option for him. Robert received autologous stem cell therapy, meaning stem cells from his own body were used to help cue natural healing processes for damaged lung tissue. After the minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, Robert returned home and was able to regain a substantial amount of his quality of life.

Before treatment, I was pretty much on oxygen all the time, said Robert. I couldnt do much without my oxygen. Today, Im doing just about anything I want to do.

Now, Robert no longer needs to pay someone to take care of his lawn. Robert is able to be outdoors, mow the grass, work around the house and go out with friends.

People are just amazed how well Im doing. Im probably 75% to what I was originally, 10 years ago, added Robert. I started getting better fast and my friends couldnt believe it. They were shocked. It was kind of funfeeling good, rather than being sick.

About Lung Institute At Lung Institute (LI), we are changing the lives of hundreds of people across the nation through the innovative technology of regenerative medicine. We are committed to providing patients a more effective way to address pulmonary conditions and improve quality of life. Our physicians, through their designated practices, have gained worldwide recognition for the successful application of revolutionary minimally invasive stem cell therapies. With over a century of combined medical experience, our doctors have established a patient experience designed with the highest concern for patient safety and quality of care. For more information, visit our website at LungInstitute.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or call us today at 1-855-469-5864.

See the rest here:
Lung Institute Instrumental in Allowing Robert Ware to Get His Life Back

Children's Research Institute Finds Key to Identifying, Enriching Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Contact Information

Available for logged-in reporters only

Newswise DALLAS June 20, 2014 The Childrens Medical Center Research Institute at UTSouthwestern (CRI) has identified a biomarker that enables researchers to accurately characterize the properties and function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the body. MSCs are the focus of nearly 200 active clinical trials registered with the National Institutes of Health, targeting conditions such as bone fractures, cartilage injury, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis.

The finding, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell on June 19, significantly advances the field of MSC biology, and if the same biomarker identified in CRIs studies with mice works in humans, the outlook for clinical trials that use MSCs will be improved by the ability to better identify and characterize the relevant cells.

There has been an increasing amount of clinical interest in MSCs, but advances have been slow because researchers to date have been unable to identify MSCs and study their normal physiological function in the body, said Dr. Sean Morrison, Director of the Childrens Research Institute, Professor of Pediatrics at UTSouthwestern Medical Center, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. We found that a protein known as leptin receptor can serve as a biomarker to accurately identify MSCs in adult bone marrow in vivo, and that those MSCs are the primary source of new bone formation and bone repair after injury.

In the course of their investigation, the CRI researchers found that leptin receptor-positive MSCs are also the main source of factors that promote the maintenance of blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow.

Unfortunately, many clinical trials that are testing potential therapies using MSCs have been hampered by the use of poorly characterized and impure collections of cultured cells, said Dr. Morrison, senior author of the study and holder of the Mary McDermott Cook Chair in Pediatric Genetics at UTSouthwestern. If this finding is duplicated in our studies with human MSCs, then it will improve the characterization of MSCs that are used clinically and could increase the probability of success for well-designed clinical trials using MSCs.

Dr. Bo Zhou, a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Morrisons laboratory, was first author of the paper. Other CRI researchers involved in the study were Drs. Rui Yue and Malea Murphy, both postdoctoral research fellows. The research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and donors to the Childrens Medical Center Foundation.

About CRI

Childrens Medical Center Research Institute at UTSouthwestern (CRI) is a joint venture established in2011 to build upon the comprehensive clinical expertise of Childrens Medical Center of Dallas and the internationally recognized scientific excellence of UTSouthwestern Medical Center. CRIs mission is to perform transformative biomedical research to better understand the biological basis of disease, seeking breakthroughs that can change scientific fields and yield new strategies for treating disease. Located in Dallas, Texas, CRI is creating interdisciplinary groups of exceptional scientists and physicians to pursue research at the interface of regenerative medicine, cancer biology and metabolism, fields that hold uncommon potential for advancing science and medicine. More information about CRI is available on its website: cri.utsw.edu

View post:
Children's Research Institute Finds Key to Identifying, Enriching Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cedars-Sinai Medical Tipsheet for June

Contact Information

Available for logged-in reporters only

Newswise Following is the June tipsheet of story ideas from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. To arrange interviews, please contact the individual listed.

Enzyme Used in Antidepressants Could Help Researchers Develop Prostate Cancer Treatments An international team of scientists including researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and the University of Southern California found that an enzyme commonly used as a target for antidepressants may also promote prostate cancer growth. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that suppressing the enzyme monoamine oxidase A, or MAOA, may reduce or even eliminate prostate tumor growth and metastasis in laboratory mice. The finding could open the door for physicians to use antidepressants to fight prostate cancer. Currently, drugs that inhibit MAOA enzymes are used to treat patients with mental illnesses like depression. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Cedars-Sinai Science and Medicine Graduate Program Awards PhDs to Second Graduating Class Cedars-Sinais Graduate Program in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine will confer doctoral degrees on six students during a commencement ceremony June 12. The students -- whose research focused on heart disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative disease and protective immunities against bacterial infections comprise the medical centers second graduating class. Seven doctoral students were the first to graduate from the program in 2013. CONTACT: Duke Helfand, 310-248-6608; Email duke.helfand@cshs.org

Cedars-Sinai Physician Groups Receive Highest Rating for Fifth Consecutive Year For the fifth year in a row, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group and Cedars-Sinai Health Associates have been awarded the highest possible designation for quality care by a leading national organization representing managed care physician groups. CAPG, formerly known as the California Association of Physician Groups, rated both Cedars-Sinai groups as excelling in all six of the criteria used in the 2014 Standards of Excellence survey. Both CSMG and CSHA groups voluntarily participated in the annual survey that rated 86 medical groups, representing 11.1 million patients nationwide. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Stem Cell Expert Explains How Experimental Regenerative Medicine Therapies Can Regrow Damaged Heart Muscle Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease isnt a medical pipe dream its a reality today, although patients need to better understand the complex science behind these experimental treatments, according to the chief of Cardiology for the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. In a 17-minute TEDxGrandForks talk now available on YouTube.com, Timothy D. Henry, MD, known for his innovative work in developing stem cell treatments for advanced heart disease patients, said he understands why so many are confused about the latest scientific findings. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Arthur J. Ochoa Receives Mexican American Bar Foundation Professional Achievement Award The Mexican American Bar Foundation named Arthur J. Ochoa, Cedars-Sinais senior vice president of Community Relations and Development, the 2014 recipient of the legal organizations Professional Achievement Award. The award was presented at the Mexican American Bar Foundations Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala June 14 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

For Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Blood Donors Are a Matter of Life and Death Every six weeks for the past nine years, Mawasi Belle has been donating blood at Cedars-Sinais Blood Donor Services, totaling nearly 80 trips to the medical institution and thousands of pints of blood collected. But for Belle, this selfless act is merely a part of her lifestyle. My decision to give is easy. If I do not donate, patients with serious blood diseases, like sickle cell anemia, will die. And Belle is right: Patients with sickle cell disease and other serious blood conditions rely on donors to keep their blood flowing and hearts beating. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Hypertension Expert Awarded $8.5 Million to Enlist African-American Barbers in Fight Against Hypertension A Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute physician has been awarded an $8.5 million grant aimed at enlisting African-American barbers in the fight against hypertension, a deadly condition that can cause strokes, heart attacks and organ failure, and which is particularly devastating to African-American men. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Link:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Tipsheet for June

BioTime Subsidiary Asterias Biotherapeutics Appoints Former Pfizer Senior Executive Pedro Lichtinger as President and …

Asterias was created by BioTime to acquire Geron Corporations clinical-stage stem cell therapeutic assets. The companys work centers on the development of therapeutics derived from stem cells capable of becoming all of the cell types in the human body to fight disease, a process known as pluripotency. Together, Asterias and BioTime have the largest intellectual property portfolio of any company in the pluripotent stem cell field with over 600 patents and patent applications worldwide covering key therapeutic targets derived from each of the three primary germ layers that give rise to all cells in the human body. Asterias lead clinical programs are its AST-OPC1 cell therapeutic for spinal cord injury, which recently received clinical trial funding support through an award of $14.3 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and its AST-VAC2 allogeneic dendritic cell cancer immunotherapy platform.

"Pedro has the ideal mix of skills to lead Asterias in the next stage of its growth," said Michael D. West, Ph.D., BioTimes CEO. "His experience in shepherding medicines through clinical and regulatory processes to commercialization will be invaluable as Asterias moves forward with its plans to bring two of its product candidates into clinical trials. Pedro is also a seasoned business leader and manager whose long track record in building businesses and business alliances speaks for itself.

I am excited to be working with Asterias talented employees, whose hard work and incredible talent have been responsible for the rapid advancement of a number of promising treatments, said Mr. Lichtinger. The pluripotent stem cell technology platform is rapidly emerging into the clinic with a focus on major unmet medical needs that have limited or no cures available. Asterias two most advanced clinical programs have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and I am delighted to be a part of this effort.

Mr. Lichtinger has served as a director of BioTime since August 2009, during which time he has helped to guide its development as a leader in the field of regenerative medicine. Reflecting his new role at Asterias, Mr. Lichtinger has been nominated for election to the Asterias Board of Directors at the companys upcoming annual meeting, and will not stand for reelection to the BioTime Board of Directors at BioTimes upcoming annual meeting.

Since April, Dr. West, BioTimes longtime CEO, has also served as President and CEO of Asterias. With the appointment of Mr. Lichtinger as CEO, Dr. West will continue to be a member of the Board of Asterias and will resume his position as Vice President Technology Integration at Asterias, while continuing as BioTimes CEO.

Mr. Lichtinger has some 35 years of executive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he was president and CEO of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, a role that he held from May 2010 to February 2013. There, he led the successful registration and commercialization of DIFICID (fidaxomicin). Before joining Optimer, Mr. Lichtinger held a series of top management positions at Pfizer over a 25-year career, including serving as president of Pfizers Global Primary Care Unit, where he oversaw $23 billion in revenue and was responsible for a development budget in excess of $800 million including a portfolio of 66 projects. He also led Pfizers European operations as president of that group encompassing 27 countries and all Pfizer medicines, and previously headed Pfizers Global Animal Health business. In these roles, Mr. Lichtinger oversaw the successful development, commercialization, and alliances of numerous drugs.

Before joining Pfizer, Mr. Lichtinger was an executive at Smith Kline Beecham, where he was senior vice president of the companys European animal health unit and previously held multiple other executive roles.

Mr. Lichtinger serves on the Board of Directors of Laboratorios Sanfer, SA de CV, the largest Mexican pharmaceutical company, which is partly owned by General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity investment firm. Mr. Lichtinger, an American born in Mexico, speaks four languages. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an engineering degree from the National University of Mexico. He and his wife, Iracilda, passionately support the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Brazil Foundation.

About Asterias

Asterias Biotherapeutics (Asterias) is a biotechnology company focused on the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Asterias core technologies center on stem cells capable of becoming all of the cell types in the human body, a property called pluripotency. Asterias plans to develop therapies based on pluripotent stem cells to treat diseases or injuries in a variety of medical fields, with an initial focus on the therapeutic applications of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (AST-OPC1) and antigen-presenting dendritic cells (AST-VAC1 and AST-VAC2) for the fields of neurology and oncology respectively. AST-OPC1 was tested for treatment of spinal cord injury in the worlds first Phase 1 clinical trial using human embryonic stem cell-derived cells. Asterias plans to seek FDA clearance to reinitiate clinical testing of AST-OPC1 in spinal cord injury this year, and is also evaluating its function in nonclinical models of multiple sclerosis and stroke. AST-VAC1 and AST-VAC2 are dendritic cell-based vaccines designed to immunize cancer patients against telomerase, a protein abnormally expressed in over 95% of human cancer types. AST-VAC2 differs from AST-VAC1 in that the dendritic cells presenting telomerase to the immune system are produced from human embryonic stem cells instead of being derived from human blood.

Read the original:
BioTime Subsidiary Asterias Biotherapeutics Appoints Former Pfizer Senior Executive Pedro Lichtinger as President and ...

Knee and shoulder arthritis/torn rotator cuffs 16 months after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson – Video


Knee and shoulder arthritis/torn rotator cuffs 16 months after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Mike discusses his results 16 months after stem cell therapy for his arthritic knees and shoulders and torn rotator cuffs by Dr Harry Adelson at http://www.docerecl...

By: Harry Adelson, N.D.

Go here to see the original:
Knee and shoulder arthritis/torn rotator cuffs 16 months after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson - Video

Stem Cell Expert Explains How Experimental Regenerative Medicine Therapies Can Regrow Damaged Heart Muscle

Contact Information

Available for logged-in reporters only

Newswise LOS ANGELES (June 17, 2014) Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease isnt a medical pipe dream its a reality today, although patients need to better understand the complex science behind these experimental treatments, according to the chief of Cardiology for the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

In a 17-minute TEDxGrandForks talk now available on YouTube.com, Timothy D. Henry, MD, known for his innovative work in developing stem cell treatments for advanced heart disease patients, said he understands why so many are confused about the latest scientific findings.

Most people today get our information from sound bites, and the issues surrounding stem cells are too complex to be fully explained in a single catchy phrase, Henry said, adding, We have far too much controversy about stem cells and far too much hype.

Stem cell science has become a political dividing line with many opposing research into stem cells derived from human embryos, Henry said. However, he said, todays leading-edge clinical research focuses on stem cells derived from adults that can be scientifically programmed to become a specialized cell, such as a heart cell or a brain cell, thereby avoiding the ethical questions involved in embryonic research.

Very few of the cells we give actually become muscle or actually become blood vessels, Henry said. What they do is increase growth factors and encourage natural cells in the body to generate new, healthy tissue.

The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, directed by Eduardo Marbn, MD, PhD, is a world leader in studying the use of stem cells to regenerate heart muscle in patients who have had heart attacks. In 2009, Cedars-Sinai physicians conducted the first infusion of stem cells into heart attack patients, using stem cells grown from the patients own heart tissue. The resulting study, published in February 2012 in The Lancet, showed that patients who underwent the stem cell procedure experienced a significant reduction in the size of the scar left behind by a heart attack. Patients also experienced a sizable increase in healthy heart muscle following the experimental stem cell treatments.

Currently, Henry is co-directing a new stem cell study with Raj Makkar, MD, director of Interventional Cardiology. The national trial, called ALLSTAR, uses heart cells from unrelated donors in an effort to reverse lasting tissue damage after a heart attack.

During his talk, Henry also expressed concern for patients who might be taken advantage of by unscrupulous clinics outside of the United States that offer stem cell cures for everything from neurological diseases to baldness. Patients also need to understand that stem cell science has a long way to go before regenerative medicine treatments are widely available.

Continued here:
Stem Cell Expert Explains How Experimental Regenerative Medicine Therapies Can Regrow Damaged Heart Muscle

Can enough money buy you eternal youth?

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

No need to go that far.

It turns out, the best kind of anti-aging treatment is inside one's own body, and the rich are taking advantage of it, exploring the latest research in new technologies, genome mapping and stem cell treatments.

Among them is Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, a large investor of the Ellison Medical Foundation, which supports research exploring the biology that underlies aging and age-related diseases. And there's billionaire Peter Nygrd, who says he wants to live forever (or die trying), and has suggested he's found the keys to immortality in stem cell research.

Some doctors agree that stem cells are a key part of chasing youth.

"If you're a wealthy guy and haven't stored your stem cells, I think you're a total idiot," said Dr. Lionel Bissoon, a New York City physician who sees a number of stressed out, wealthy patients.

Related: It's expensive being rich

They usually come to him with similar problems: "Fatigue, belly fat, erectile dysfunction, tiring very quickly ... all very common with my patients from Wall Street," Bissoon said. The short-term solution to those ailments, he says, is testosterone replacement -- which is relatively affordable at a few hundred dollars a pop -- and IV nutrition.

For the long term he recommends stem cell storage, which works as a sort of rainy day insurance. The cells are extracted, preferably when the patient is on the younger side -- around 30 is said to be a good age -- and can then be used to boost an immune system or help to rebuild damaged organs later.

Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj stores cells at his South Florida Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Institute in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Originally posted here:
Can enough money buy you eternal youth?

StemGenex Announces New Stem Cell Clinical Study for Multiple Sclerosis

La Jolla, CA (PRWEB) June 17, 2014

StemGenex, the leading resource for adult adipose stem cell therapy in the US aimed at improving the lives of patients dealing with degenerative diseases, today announced their newest clinical study for Multiple Sclerosis. StemGenex believes that a commitment to the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy are paramount when providing care to patients with life threatening diseases.

This clinical study is bringing to the field a new, unique type of stem cell therapy that has the possibility of being more effective than other stem cell treatments currently available. Patients who receive stem cell treatment through StemGenex for Multiple Sclerosis will receive StemGenex multiple administration protocol. This consists of four targeted administration methods of the stem cells to deliver the necessary amount of stem cells past the blood brain barrier.

Principal Investigator Dr. Jeremiah McDole, Ph.D. stated, "Currently available drugs for multiple sclerosis do not halt disease progression or aid in the repair of established damage. We strive to provide regenerative medicine applications that address this critical, underlying issue. While patients experience positive clinical outcomes as a result of stem cell treatment, large, rigorously performed studies are desired in order to guide our best efforts for future development. The study we are conducting is designed to provide us with this essential data."

This study is registered through The National Institutes of Health which can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and is being conducted under IRB approval. According to StemGenex Director of Patient Advocacy, Joe Perricone, It is important patients have access to top-tier stem cell treatment. By providing access to registered clinical studies through The National Institutes of Health, we are providing patients with the ability to choose a stem cell treatment center with the highest standard of care.

Rita Alexander, founder and president of StemGenex, stated, This is the first of many stem cell clinical studies to come and a positive step for the more than 2 million people around the world suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. The average lifetime cost of current standard of care treatment per MS patient is $1.2 million. The human cost of the disease including pain and suffering endured by MS patients, the profound impact on families and the loss of their ability to contribute to society is without question immeasurable. Dr. McDoles research background in neuroimmunology is certainly an asset in our effort to change the course of neurological diseases.

Stem cell treatment studies are currently being offered by StemGenex to patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and other degenerative neurological diseases. StemGenex takes a unique approach of compassion and empowerment while providing access to the latest stem cell therapies for degenerative neurological diseases including Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease, stroke recovery and others.

To find out more about stem cell therapy, contact StemGenex either by phone at (800) 609-7795 or email Contact(at)stemgenex(dot)com

Follow this link:
StemGenex Announces New Stem Cell Clinical Study for Multiple Sclerosis

Embryonic Stem Cells Offer Promising Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis

June 17, 2014

Image Caption: ImStem Biotechnologys Xiaofang Wang, seated, and Ren-He Xu. Credit: Tina Encarnacion/UConn

University of Connecticut

Scientists in the University of Connecticuts Technology Incubation Program have identified a novel approach to treating multiple sclerosis (MS) using human embryonic stem cells, offering a promising new therapy for more than 2.3 million people suffering from the debilitating disease.

The researchers demonstrated that the embryonic stem cell therapy significantly reduced MS disease severity in animal models, and offered better treatment results than stem cells derived from human adult bone marrow.

The study was led by ImStem Biotechnology Inc. of Farmington, Conn., in conjunction with UConn Health Professor Joel Pachter, Assistant Professor Stephen Crocker, and Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) Inc. of Massachusetts. ImStem was founded in 2012 by UConn doctors Xiaofang Wang and Ren-He Xu, along with Yale University doctor Xinghua Pan and investor Michael Men.

The cutting-edge work by ImStem, our first spinoff company, demonstrates the success of Connecticuts Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine funding program in moving stem cells from bench to bedside, says Professor Marc Lalande, director of the UConns Stem Cell Institute.

The research was supported by a $1.13 million group grant from the state of Connecticuts Stem Cell Research Program that was awarded to ImStem and Professor Pachters lab.

Connecticuts investment in stem cells, especially human embryonic stem cells, continues to position our state as a leader in biomedical research, says Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. This new study moves us one step closer to a stem cell-based clinical product that could improve peoples lives.

The researchers compared eight lines of adult bone marrow stem cells to four lines of human embryonic stem cells. All of the bone marrow-related stem cells expressed high levels of a protein molecule called a cytokine that stimulates autoimmunity and can worsen the disease. All of the human embryonic stem cell-related lines expressed little of the inflammatory cytokine.

Read more:
Embryonic Stem Cells Offer Promising Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis

Cambridgeshire charity Alzheimer's Research UK unveils 100m dementia funding package – including new stem cell …

Cambridge News Follow us on

Friday 20 Jun 2014 1:26 AM

Written byADAM LUKE

A Cambridgeshire-based charity has pledged 100 million for dementia research on a day when world health leaders gathered in London to discuss investment into the condition.

Great Abingtons Alzheimers Research UK has devised a new five-year campaign called Defeat Dementia which aims to grow the research field and accelerate progress towards new treatments and preventions.

The announcement coincides with a London summit, called the Global Dementia Legacy Event, hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron six months after a G8 summit in the city on the topic, when members set a target of finding a cure or treatment by 2025.

The charitys campaign is the largest ever UK charity commitment to dementia research and will see 100 million spent on diagnosis, prevention and treatment initiatives relating to Alzheimers and other dementias.

There will be a new 2 million stem cell research centre a collaboration between researchers at Cambridge Universitys Gurdon Institute and University College London (UCL) to understand the causes of Alzheimers and screen potential new treatments, along with a network of Drug Discovery Institutes housed in academic centres in the UK and beyond.

A 20 million Global Clinical Development Fund is also being set up to support phase I and II clinical trials.

Dr Rick Livesey, who works at the Gurdon Institute and uses stem cell techniques to better understand Alzheimers, said the Alzheimers Research UK Stem Cell Research Centre will take skin cells donated by people with Alzheimers and turning them into working nerve cells in the laboratory for further study.

Read this article:
Cambridgeshire charity Alzheimer's Research UK unveils 100m dementia funding package - including new stem cell ...