Kidney Grown From Stem Cells For The First Time, Australian Scientists Call Breakthrough ‘An Amazing Process’

The breakthrough marks a major advance in treating kidney disease and more avenues in bioengineering human organs. Researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Cell Biology, following their success in making human skin cells form a functioning "mini-kidney" with a width of only a few millimeters.

During self-organization, different types of cells arrange themselves with respect to each other to create the complex structures that exist within an organ, in this case, the kidney, Professor Melissa Little of University of Queenslands Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), who led the study, said in a statement. The fact that such stem cell populations can undergo self-organization in the laboratory bodes well for the future of tissue bioengineering to replace damaged and diseased organs and tissues.

While it may be a while until the process can be used in human trials, Little says it could be a major development in treating chronic kidney disease.

One in three Australians is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease, and the only therapies currently available are kidney transplant and dialysis, Little said. Only one in four patients will receive a donated organ, and dialysis is an ongoing and restrictive treatment regime.

The engineered kidney is a first for science.

"This is the first time anybody has managed to direct stem cells into the functional units of a kidney," Professor Brandon Wainwright, from the University of Queensland, told The Telegraph. "It is an amazing process it is like a Lego building that puts itself together."

Scientists were able to make the kidney by identifying genes that remained active and inactive during kidney development. They were then able to alter the genes into embryonic cells that allowed them to self-organize into the human organ.

"The [researchers] spent years looking at what happens if you turn this gene off and this one on," Wainwright said. "You can eventually coax these stem cells through a journey they [the cells] go through various stages and then think about being a kidney cell and eventually pop together to form a little piece of kidney."

Little predicts the stem cell kidneys could one day be used to make human kidney transplants, or a cluster of mini kidneys used to boost renal function in patients.

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Kidney Grown From Stem Cells For The First Time, Australian Scientists Call Breakthrough ‘An Amazing Process’

Thomas K. Sees Results After One Stem Cell Treatment! Stem Cells Can Help Stroke Patients! – Video

Thomas K. Sees Results After One Stem Cell Treatment! Stem Cells Can Help Stroke Patients!
Dr. David Steenblock treated patient Thomas K. with stem cells and instantly sees miraculous results. Stem cell treatments are helping stroke patients/victim...

By: David Steenblock

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Thomas K. Sees Results After One Stem Cell Treatment! Stem Cells Can Help Stroke Patients! - Video

Parkinson’s stem cell project aims for 2014 approval

Parkinson's patient Ed Fitzpatrick speaks about stem cell research for his disease. Fitzpatrick talked on a Dec. 7 panel at the World Stem Cell Summit in San Diego. Bradley J. Fikes

Parkinson's patient Ed Fitzpatrick speaks about stem cell research for his disease. Fitzpatrick talked on a Dec. 7 panel at the World Stem Cell Summit in San Diego.

For eight local Parkinsons patients seeking treatment with stem cell technology, 2014 could bring the milestone theyve been anticipating.

If all goes well, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will approve an attempt to replace the brain cells destroyed in Parkinsons. The new cells, grown from each patients own skin cells, are expected to restore normal movement in the patients.

Because the new brain cells are made from the patients own cells, immunosuppressive drugs shouldnt be needed. Ideally, patients could stop taking their medications and resume normal activities for many years, or even the rest of their lives.

The project, Summit4StemCell.org, is a collaboration between three nonprofits. The Scripps Research Institute handles the science; Scripps Clinic takes care of the medical side; and the Parkinsons Association of San Diego helps to raise money for the self-funded project.

Since 2011, the focus has been at the institute, where scientists led by Jeanne Loring have made the artificial embryonic stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells, and turned them into the needed brain cells. Now Scripps Clinic is assuming a more prominent role to prepare for treating the patients.

A study in rats began in early December; results are expected by April. The animal study is meant to assess safety, although researchers will also look for signs of effectiveness.

In January, scientists will visit the FDA to lay the groundwork for a formal application, said Scripps Clinic neurologist Melissa Houser, who treats all eight patients.

Success in the animal study will likely result in a go-ahead, Houser said. If the animal trial fails, its back to the drawing board.

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Parkinson’s stem cell project aims for 2014 approval

Award Winning Arizona Pain Center, Arizona Pain Specialists, Now Offering Over 20 Effective Arthritis Treatments

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) December 14, 2013

The top pain management clinics in Phoenix and throughout the Valley, Arizona Pain Specialists, are now offering over twenty effective treatments for joint and spinal arthritis. The treatment options include medication management, interventional pain management, stem cell injections, physical therapy, spinal decompression therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment. Over 50 insurances are accepted at the 5 Phoenix pain clinics, call (602) 507-6550 for scheduling.

The Arizona pain management doctors at the Phoenix pain clinics offer the treatments in an outpatient setting. Joint injections are performed with cortisone, PRP therapy, stem cells and viscosupplementation. These treatments have the potential to provide excellent pain relief that lasts for weeks to over a year.

For spinal arthritis in the neck or back, spinal decompression therapy has been shown in published studies to provide excellent relief for facet arthritis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Acupuncture for arthritic joints also is usually effective as well.

Chiropractic and physical therapy help strengthen up the tissues around arthritic joints, relieving pressure on the joint itself. TENS units help alter the way the brain perceives pain signals from arthritic joints.

Along with joint injections, radiofrequency ablation is a cutting edge interventional procedure for spinal arthritis. The treatment often provides over a year of pain relief for arthritis, and a repeat procedure typically renews the relief again.

Stem cell therapies offered at Arizona Pain include bone marrow or fat derived, or amniotic stem cell injections. PRP therapy is offered as well, where published studies have shown significant benefit for joint arthritis.

With all of the potential available arthritis treatment options, therapies are individualized to each patient. Impressive success rates are achieved at helping patients avoid or delay the need for joint replacements.

Arizona Pain Specialists accept over 50 insurances at 5 locations. For more information and scheduling with the top pain management clinics in Phoenix and surrounding areas, call (602) 507-6550.

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Award Winning Arizona Pain Center, Arizona Pain Specialists, Now Offering Over 20 Effective Arthritis Treatments