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Japan stem cell researcher says results valid – Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports

By Stem Cell Doctors

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer

TOKYO (AP) - The Japanese scientist accused of falsifying data in a widely heralded stem-cell research paper said Wednesday the results are valid despite mistakes in their presentation.

Haruko Obokata, 30, struggled to maintain her composure during a televised news conference packed with hundreds of reporters, but insisted she did not tamper with the data to fabricate results. She said she did not agree with retracting the research that appeared in the scientific journal Nature.

The phenomenon of ordinary cells transforming into stem cells under the influence of external stimulus was "confirmed many times for a fact," Obokata said at the press conference in the western city of Osaka. She said she could replicate her results again if allowed back into the lab to do so.

She has contested allegations of research malpractice made by a panel of scientists at the government-funded Riken Center for Development Biology, where she is employed.

Obokata said Riken had advised her not to speak publicly about the controversy. The event Wednesday, which lasted for over two hours, was her first public appearance in weeks and was made against doctors' orders after seeking hospital treatment Monday.

"I wasn't able to sleep well and was feeling worse and worse," she said. "I take this responsibility severely. I am deeply sorry."

Obokata apologized repeatedly for having used the wrong images and having altered an image in a report on using a simple lab procedure to grow tissue for treating illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

In an emailed statement, Riken reiterated Obokata's right to an appeal of its findings.

"Riken will give due consideration to the appeal in accordance with our regulations," it said.

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Japan stem cell researcher says results valid - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine | UNMC

By Stem Cell Medicine

Regenerative Medicine encompasses many fields of science and medicine. The image below effectively portrays the scope of Regenerative Medicine; as the umbrella, it covers many fields of research and clinical practice. Stem cell research and therapies continue to enhance the field of Regenerative Medicine and what it offers patients and scientists. Stem cells have and will continue to play a critical role in scientific discoveries through developmental biology and therapeutic applications, however, we should be mindful to not limit our descriptions or thoughts regarding Regenerative Medicine and its capabilities to stem cell research alone. The only constraints placed around it are the ones we set, as those in the field seek to uncover the intricacies of our biological systems.

STEM CELLS

Typically, when the term Regenerative Medicine arises people automatically think about stem cells, particularly, embryonic stem cells. Being that embryonic stem cell research is currently a highly debated topic in both the scientific and political field, the assumption that Regenerative Medicine Research only involves embryonic stem cell research can be narrowing to the field and does not allow one to understand its full potential. While all stem cell work is vital to the advancement of Regenerative Medicine research and therapies, we cannot interchange the two terms as equals. As we learn more about Regenerative Medicine, we must broaden our minds, so as not to limit the vast possibilities that Regenerative Medicine researchers seek to find in the inherent mysteries of our biological systems.

How are stem cells and Regenerative Medicine linked?

As discussed in other portions of this site, Regenerative Medicine is a comprehensive term used to describe the current methods and research employed to revive and/or replace dead or damaged tissue. A portion of Regenerative Medicine research revolves around the use of stem cells, including embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), however there are many other resources that are utilized in order to carry out the mission of Regenerative Medicine research. These include transplants, biomaterials, scaffolds, machines and electronics, stimulation pathways, drug therapy, and many others. This is thoroughly discussed on the What is Regenerative Medicine? page.

Stem cells have a very important role in Regenerative Medicine Research and have many potential applications. First, because of their role in development and their potential to develop into many different cells types, stem cells are vital to the field of developmental biology. Developmental biologists seek to uncover what genes and pathways are involved in cell differentiation (how cells develop into specific cell types such as liver, skin, or muscle cells) and how these can be manipulated to create new healthy tissues. Second, stem cells can be applied to drug testing and development. New drugs that are developed in Pharma could be safely and effectively tested using differentiated stem cells. As scientists learn more about how stem cells develop to form new tissue they will be able to apply their knowledge in maintaining differentiated cell types that can be used to test particular drugs. This method is already underway in the cancer therapy world, where cancer cells and grown in the laboratory for the purpose of testing anti-tumor and chemotherapeutic drugs. Finally, and of most interest to patients and scientists is the role stem cells will play in Cell-Based Therapy. These therapies will apply the understanding of stem cell development, differentiation, and maintenance to generate new, healthy tissue for diseases needing transplant or replacement of damaged tissue, such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease, type 1 diabetes, and coronary disease. Cell therapies may one day be able to replace organ donation and eliminate the issues that accompany it such as rejection and tissue insufficiency. Although there are still many difficulties surrounding the field of stem cell research and therapy, over the coming decades scientists hope to continue to make discoveries that will enable the potentials of cell-based therapy to become a reality.

Learn more about Stem Cells on UNMC's Stem Cell site.

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Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine | UNMC

Lawmaker wants Arroyo stem cell doctor arrested

By Stem Cell Medical Center

A HOUSE member is urging law enforcement agents to arrest the alternative medicine doctor of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the death of an Ateneo de Manila scholar last year.

OFW Family party-list Representative Roy Seneres said the Philippine National Police (PNP) can now arrest Antonia Park if found to be practicing medicine without any license.

Park, who is believed to be a South Korean, was blamed by the family of Katherine Grace Tan for her death last year.

Bernard Tan said his 23-year-old daughter died after undergoing embryonic stem cell therapy allegedly administered by Park at the latters Green and Young Health and Wellness Center in Tagaytay City.

Seneres called for an investigation of Park's operations, saying that unless she is a medical doctor and has a license to practice medicine, she is barred from conducting any medical procedure on sick patients.

The lawmaker also called on the Tan family to file the necessary charges against Park if they have enough evidence against her.

Park's service was previously sought by Arroyo when she was granted bail on electoral fraud charges two years ago.

The former chief executive motored to Tagaytay City reportedly to confer with Park regarding her spine problem.

Seneres noted that the former president's spine ailment has not improved since her Tagaytay trip but, in fact, doctors at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMCC) where she is under hospital detention had claimed that her health issue has turned for the worse.

Arroyo's sister, Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, and former spokesperson, Charito Planas, have reportedly recommended Park's services to the Pampanga lawmaker.

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Lawmaker wants Arroyo stem cell doctor arrested

Mahendra Rao Joins The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute

By Uncategorized

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Newswise NEW YORK, NY (April 9, 2014) Dr. Mahendra Rao, who has directed the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH CRM) since 2010, will join The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute as its Vice President for Regenerative Medicine, a newly created position, Susan Solomon, NYSCF Chief Executive Officer, announced today.

Dr. Rao, who holds an MD degree and a PhD in developmental neurobiology, is one of the nations most prominent stem cell scientists. He has over twenty years of experience in all aspects of the stem cell field including government, academia, and business. Before joining the NIH, Dr. Rao spent six years as the vice president of Regenerative Medicine at Life Technologies, Inc. (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) after serving as the chief of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging and co-founding Q Therapeutics, a neural stem cell company based in Utah. Dr. Rao is tenured at the University of Utah School of Medicine in both Neurobiology and Anatomy and has over twenty submitted and ten issued patents.

Dr. Raos expertise in translational research, academia, and industry make him a valuable asset in our mission to take stem cell research from the laboratory to the clinic in order to find cures for the diseases that affect those we love, Solomon said. We are delighted to have him on board.

Solomon said that recruiting Dr. Rao is a major coup for NYSCF as it builds on its existing successes and carries out its strategic goals. Dr. Raos expertise and experience in setting up a company and in leading the translational effort at NIH will complement their expertise in automation and high-throughput induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell generation.

I am enthused about NYSCFs efforts to generate high-quality stem cell lines and partner with the pharma and academic communities. I am excited to be joining them to advance their goals, said Dr. Rao.

In addition to his business career, Dr. Rao has served on scientific advisory boards, editorial boards and review panels and on committees including as the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee chair and as the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine and International Society for Stem Cell Research liaison to the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Currently, he sits on the board of Cesca Therapeutics, Inc. and serves as the Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board at Q Therapeutics.

"Mahendra is a widely-recognized and accomplished leader in stem cell research. He will be a major asset for NYSCF as we continue to develop new therapeutics for patients," said Dr. Zach Hall, NYSCF Board Member and former Director of National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

About The New York Stem Cell Foundation

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Mahendra Rao Joins The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute

Study by prominent Brigham scientists retracted due to compromised data

By Uncategorized

An internal investigation has found compromised data in a stem cell study led by prominent Brigham and Womens Hospital researchers, and the paper has been retracted. The authors claimed they had found evidence that the heart can regenerate at a rapid rate, contrary to years of belief that heart muscle cells cells turnover very slowly.

The paper, published in 2012 in the journal Circulation, was retracted Tuesday by the journals publisher, the American Heart Association.

This retraction is highly significant. In my 30 years in cardiovascular science I cannot recall a paper of similar prominence being retracted from Circulation, Dr. Charles Murry, co-director of the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Washington, wrote in an e-mail. This appears to settle the controversy about the rate of cell replacement in the human heart, i.e. it turns over every 60 years, not every 6 months.

The retraction comes in the wake of a major scandal that has unfolded over the last few months as a Japanese research institution found evidence of fabrication in a major stem cell paper led by a different Brigham scientist.

The journals retraction notice, first reported by the blog Retraction Watch, does not specify which researchers are at fault, but the paper involved several high-profile scientists including Dr. Piero Anversa, a cardiologist whose research has often raised questions from other scientists, and Dr. Joseph Loscalzo, chief of medicine at the Brigham.

According to the retraction notice, an ongoing institutional review by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Womens Hospital has determined that the data are sufficiently compromised that a retraction is warranted.

A Brigham and Womens Hospital spokeswoman said a statement was forthcoming. Anversa and Loscalzo did not immediately reply to e-mails.

Dr. Jonas Frisn, a professor of stem cell research at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, published a study in 2009 showing a very low rate of renewal of human heart muscle cellsaround 1 percent of cells turned over per year. That low rate was replicated in other laboratories.

But in 2012, Anversas laboratory used the same techniquemeasuring an isotope of carbon found in the nucleus of cellsto detect a much higher rate of heart muscle cell renewal, as much as 23 percent per year. The laboratory also found that the rate of renewal increased with age, contrary to what other scientists expected and found. Frisen said he and his colleagues read the paper extremely carefully, but could not make sense of it.

It wasnt possible from what they had written to understand exactly what they had done and how they had treated the data, Frisen said. He began corresponding with the authors, asking detailed questions about their methodology. He said there were some minor mistakes that appeared accidental, such as using the wrong units, and some things that may have stemmed from their unfamiliarity with using the technique. For example, he said the Brigham team didnt appear to have controlled for contamination.

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Study by prominent Brigham scientists retracted due to compromised data

Japan stem cell researcher still backing discredited study

By Stem Cell Treatment

Haruko Obokata, center on stage, a researcher of Japanese government-funded laboratory Riken Center for Development Biology, bows in apology at the beginning of a press conference at a hotel in Osaka, western Japan Wednesday, April 9, 2014. The scientist accused of falsifying data in a widely heralded stem-cell research paper said that despite mistakes in her work the results are valid. AP

TOKYO -- The Japanese scientist accused of falsifying data in a widely heralded stem-cell research paper said Wednesday the results are valid despite mistakes in their presentation.

Haruko Obokata, 30, struggled to maintain her composure during a televised news conference packed with hundreds of reporters, but insisted she did not tamper with the data to fabricate results. She said she did not agree with retracting the research that appeared in the scientific journal Nature.

The phenomenon of ordinary cells transforming into stem cells under the influence of external stimulus was "confirmed many times for a fact," Obokata said at the press conference in the western city of Osaka. She said she could replicate her results again if allowed back into the lab to do so.

She has contested allegations of research malpractice made by a panel of scientists at the government-funded Riken Center for Development Biology, where she is employed.

Obokata said Riken had advised her not to speak publicly about the controversy. The event Wednesday, which lasted for over two hours, was her first public appearance in weeks and was made against doctors' orders after seeking hospital treatment Monday.

"I wasn't able to sleep well and was feeling worse and worse," she said. "I take this responsibility severely. I am deeply sorry."

Obokata apologized repeatedly for having used the wrong images and having altered an image in a report on using a simple lab procedure to grow tissue for treating illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

In an emailed statement, Riken reiterated Obokata's right to an appeal of its findings.

"Riken will give due consideration to the appeal in accordance with our regulations," it said.

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Japan stem cell researcher still backing discredited study

Maligned stem cell researcher insists results valid

By Stem Cell Treatment

Elaine Kurtenbach, The Associated Press Published Wednesday, April 9, 2014 7:55AM EDT

TOKYO -- The Japanese scientist accused of falsifying data in a widely heralded stem-cell research paper said Wednesday the results are valid despite mistakes in presentation of the results.

Haruko Obokata, 30, struggled to maintain her composure during a televised news conference packed with hundreds of reporters, but insisted she did not tamper with the data to fabricate results. She said she did not agree with retracting the research that appeared in the scientific journal Nature.

The phenomenon of ordinary cells transforming into stem cells under the influence of external stimulus was "confirmed many times for a fact," Obokata said at the press conference in the western city of Osaka. She said she could replicate her results again if allowed back into the lab to do so.

She has contested allegations of research malpractice made by a panel of scientists at the government-funded Riken Center for Development Biology, where she is employed.

Obokata said Riken had advised her not to speak publicly about the controversy. The event Wednesday, which lasted for over two hours, was her first public appearance in weeks and was made against doctors' orders after seeking hospital treatment Monday.

"I wasn't able to sleep well and was feeling worse and worse," she said. "I take this responsibility severely. I am deeply sorry."

Obokata apologized repeatedly for having used the wrong images and having altered an image in a report on using a simple lab procedure to grow tissue for treating illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

In an emailed statement, Riken reiterated Obokata's right to an appeal of its findings.

"Riken will give due consideration to the appeal in accordance with our regulations," it said.

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Maligned stem cell researcher insists results valid

Cell Surgical Network Opening in Australia

By Stem Cell Medicine

(PRWEB) April 08, 2014

CELL SURGICAL NETWORK

Originating in California, CSN is the worlds largest cell surgical network and first multidisciplinary Regenerative Medicine group. CSN is collaborating with the Australian Adult Stem Cell Foundation to bring the research network to Australia.

CSN HAS OVER 40 LOCATIONS within the United States and several more worldwide. CSN has recently been launched in Australia with hand selected approved board certified Physicians. The ASCF has played an important role to identifying physicians who are passionate about regenerative and integrated medicine with a strong interest in SVF cell transplants.

INTERNATIONAL PHYSICIAN GROUP- Physicians belonging to the CSN network join an international network of Board certified Physicians, creating a multidisciplinary team where they receive training, technology and IP transfer, education and support for physicians and staff, access to IRB approved research protocols, the opportunity to submit their own protocols for IRB approval, website presence, and access to a university quality research database that collects outcomes from all sites.

SVF PROCUREMENT- The CSN SVF isolation system is a completely closed sterile surgical procedure. There are no laboratory requirements (e.g. laminar flow hood or otherwise) avoiding issues of GMP maintenance or possible cross contamination from laboratory handling. Further, the unique double filtration system avoids any risks of Pulmonary Emboli (PE) or problems due to particulate matter. The CSN has over the last 4 years researched and designed equipment that supports new requirements supported by the FDA/TGA. As the CSN system is a closed sterile surgical system it can be done in a doctors office and adheres to FDA/TGA regulations.

IRB STUDIES- Areas of study by the Cell Surgical Network include Orthopedics, Urology, Neurology, Cardiac/Pulmonary, Auto-Immune Diseases, Lichen Sclerosis, Ophthalmology. See http://www.stemcellrevolution.com

JOINING CELL SURGICAL NETWORK - Physicians interested in participating in the Cell Surgical Network please contact Chris Lindholm for more information by emailing clindholm(at)cellsurgicalnetwork(dot)com or phone 800-231-0407.

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Cell Surgical Network Opening in Australia

Japan stem cell scientist stands by 'phoney' research

By Stem Cell Medical Center

53 minutes ago

A young female scientist accused of fabricating data made a tearful apology live on Japanese television Wednesday for "mistakes" in her research, but insisted her ground-breaking conclusions on stem cells were accurate.

Haruko Obokata, 30, blamed her youth and inexperience for errors in her methodology, but said she had managed to create the building-block cells capable of growing into the specialised cells of the brain, liver, heart or kidneys.

"I apologise with my whole heart to my co-authors... and many others for causing trouble because of my insufficient efforts, ill-preparedness and unskilfulness," a visibly shaken Obokata told a press conference.

"To many people there may be too many unbelievable mistakes, but that does not affect the conclusion," she said.

Obokata was feted as a modern-day Marie Curie after unveiling research that showed a simple way to re-programme adult cells to become a kind of stem cell.

So-called Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency (STAP) cells were hailed as a breakthrough that could provide a ready supply of the base material for much-needed transplant tissue at minimal cost.

Campaigners said it represented a leap forward in the fight against degenerative diseases.

Her profilea young woman in a world dominated by middle-aged menwas seized on by Japan's media, which was charmed by eccentricities that included her insistence on wearing a housewife's apron in the laboratory, instead of a white coat.

But within weeks of her paper being published in the prestigious journal Nature, questions began to emerge, with fellow scientists saying they were unable to replicate her results.

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Japan stem cell scientist stands by 'phoney' research

Gloria Arroyos stem cell therapy doc blamed for cancer patient's death

By Stem Cell Treatment

A doctor offering stem cell therapy may face charges for the death of a cancer patient who allegedly underwent treatment similar to that administered to former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This was after it was found out that she is not a licensed doctor in the Philippines.

A report on GMA News TV's "News To Go" on Wednesday said a complaint has been filed against Dr. Antonia Carandang-Park at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) by Bernard Tan, who claims that his daughter, Kate, died after going through the said alternative treatment.Cancer patient Kate Tan received stem cell therapy from Dr. Antonia Carandang-Park, Gloria Arroyo's doctor.

Park owns the Tagaytay-based Green & Young Health and Wellness Center where Arroyoburdened by persistent trouble with her cervical spinesought treatment in 2012.

In an interview with GMA News, Tan said his daughter, who had Hodgkin's lymphoma (a type of cancer of the blood), was given "the same treatment that [Park] did with Gloria," which included "juicing diet, vegetable diet... acupuncture coffee enema, at 'yun na nga, stem cell."

Stem cell therapy introduces new adult stem cells into damaged tissue in order to treat disease or injury.

"Ang sabi niya, 'Give me three months, magaling na 'yan,'" Tan told GMA News. He added that his family was easily convinced to take their daughter to Park's wellness center because "Presidente na ng Pilipinas ang pumunta doon."

"Siguro naman na-scrutinize na nila 'yan, na-background check na nila 'yan," he said. "Kumbaga, 'yung credibility no'n, nag-build up na."

Kate was fed nothing but bananas and vegetable juices for three months, and had eight rounds of "embryonic" stem cell treatment, he said.

However, the 23-year-old lost even more weight, prompting the family to seek the assistance of a different doctor. Kate had eight rounds of 'embryonic' stem cell treatment, her father Bernard Tan said.Seven months later, in July 2013, Kate passed away.

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Gloria Arroyos stem cell therapy doc blamed for cancer patient's death

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