Stem Cell Clinic

Stem cell treatment helps in soccer player's recovery

By Stem Cell Treatment

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -

Watching Natasha Merangoli run drills, you wouldn't guess that two years ago, doctors said she'd never play soccer again.

"Playing soccer just sets your mind free," she said, adding that it was "devastating" when she was told she might not be able to play the sport.

In December of 2012, Natasha Hurt her ankle and didn't think much of it, though she was playing and living in constant pain.

"It felt like someone stabbing me from the inside of my foot out," she said.

That stabbing feeling was the result of the bones in her foot dying. She was diagnosed with a condition called avascular necrosis, where the bone can't get enough blood flow. "The problem with avascular necrosis is, when the bone dies, it can collapse, and then you get a very rapid secondary degeneration," said Dr. Dennis Lox, a sports and regenerative medicine expert. "The most common cause is from trauma, but often times, athletes experience aches and pains all the time, so they just think it's going to get better. And it just doesn't."

After a few months of not getting better, several doctors told Natasha that her only option was ankle fusion surgery and to pick a new sport. Then, she met Dr. Lox. He said he could save her ankle and her soccer career, with her own stem cells.

"Stem cells hone. They hone to areas of injury," Dr. Lox said.

He showed us how he harvested stem cells from Natasha's abdomen and injected them directly into her ankle.

"Stem cells are basically cells in the body that can become other types of cells," Dr. Lox added. Transforming into cartilage and bone and bringing the dead bone back to life.

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Stem cell treatment helps in soccer player's recovery

Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra’s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson – Video

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Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra #39;s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra #39;s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson http://www.docereclinics.com.

By: Harry Adelson, N.D.

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Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra's results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson - Video

Stem Cell-Derived Beta Cells Under Skin Replace Insulin

By Stem Cell Medicine

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Newswise Scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have shown that by encapsulating immature pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and implanting them under the skin of diabetic mouse models, sufficient insulin is produced to maintain glucose levels without unwanted potential trade-offs of the technology.

The research, published online in Stem Cell Research, suggests that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells may be an effective and safe cell replacement therapy for insulin dependent-diabetes.

Our study critically evaluates some of the potential pitfalls of using stem cells to treat insulin dependent-diabetes, said Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, assistant project scientist in the UC San Diego Department of Pediatrics and adjunct assistant professor in Development, Aging and Regenerative program at Sanford-Burnham.

We have shown that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells are able to produce insulin in response to elevated glucose without an increase in the mass or their escape from the capsule, said Itkin-Ansari. These results are important because it means that the encapsulated cells are both fully functional and retrievable.

Previous attempts to replace insulin producing cells, called beta cells, have met with significant challenges. For example, researchers have tried treating diabetics with mature beta cells, but because these cells are fragile and scarce, the method is fraught with problems. Moreover, since the cells come from organ donors, they may be recognized as foreign by the recipients immune system requiring patients to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their immune system from attacking the donors cells, ultimately leaving patients vulnerable to infections, tumors and other adverse events.

Encapsulation technology was developed to protect donor cells from exposure to the immune system and has proven extremely successful in preclinical studies.

Itkin-Ansari and her research team previously made an important contribution to the encapsulation approach by showing that pancreatic islet progenitor cells are an optimal cell type for encapsulation. They found that progenitor cells were more robust than mature beta cells to encapsulate, and while encapsulated, they matured into insulin-producing cells that secreted insulin only when needed.

In the study, Itkin-Ansari and her team used bioluminescent imaging to determine if encapsulated cells stay in the capsule after implantation.

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Stem Cell-Derived Beta Cells Under Skin Replace Insulin

Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

By Stem Cell Medicine

By Liisa Vexler

The UK and Israel join forces during a two-day conference at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel this week that will focus on continued joint stem-cell therapy research. This conference is part of the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine event, which is a project initiated by the British Council in Israel and the British Embassy.

The United Kingdoms minister of state for universities and science, David Willetts, is on the list of conference attendees. This list also includes approximately 300 of Israels most prominent research scientists and 80 attendees from Britain who are involved in the research on stem cell therapies to treat chronic and degenerative diseases such as type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, heart disease, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It will also be attended by 300 leading Israeli scientists and 80 British scientists, whose research is advancing the fight against devastating illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, heart diseases, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. The conference co-chairs are Chris Mason, University Colleges chairman of regenerative medicine bioprocessing at University College, and former chief scientist of Israel, Ehud Gazit.

The UK and Israel have committed 10 million to stem cell research to be invested over the course of five years. To date, BIRAX has provided funding for seven British and Israeli large research projects looking at stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis, liver disease and Parkinsons.

Britains Minister Willets will officially open the second call for proposals during the conference, with Prime Minister David Cameron having launched the initiative during his recent Israeli visit. This call for proposals will provide funding for innovative research in stem cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

British ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said, This conference will bring together British and Israeli scientists working with stem cells. Our goal is that they will form collaborations to develop cures for some of the worlds most common diseases. Israel and Britain are both at the forefront of stem cell research. Building a stronger partnership between the two countries will be to the benefit of both and has the potential to transform lives around the world. The first conference was hugely successful, and led to some amazing joint research. We have high hopes for this one.

On behalf of the Israeli research community, Technion president Peretz Lavie said his institution is thrilled to play host to the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine conference.

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Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

Stemedica Announces International Educational Collaboration With Smart Living

By Stem Cell Medicine

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2014

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company that manufactures best-in-class allogeneic adult stem cells and Smart Living, a subsidiary of Smart Global, a $2 billion (USD) globally diversified conglomerate, are pleased to announce an international educational collaboration.

Smart Living currently organizes dynamic One World educational conferences designed to introduce breakthrough technologies and educational programs focused on health care and regenerative medicine to countries throughout the world. High profile leaders in medicine, science, business, education, government and community organizers are brought together at these international forums to participate in presentations, discussions and educational programs.

Stemedica, a global leader in regenerative medicine focused on stem cell research and clinical trials, has been selected to introduce breakthrough technologies in the dynamic field of stem cells and their role in translational medicine.

In addition to the educational outreach, Smart Living is making significant advances in health care with its Smart Health City model. This model, anticipated to go global, was developed to be an all-inclusive health care destination offering services including multispecialty hospitals, medical office buildings, medical rehabilitation centers, international patient care centers, medical education and training, clinical research, on campus staff residence, research and technology center. The first of these Health Cities is on 15 acres located in Saket in the heart of Delhi, India.

Swati Saxena, MD, Programme Director at Smart Living said, What makes Smart Living a unique concept is that it provides integrated and converged facilities where strong scientific evidence is paired with health and wellness initiatives in a step-by-step methodic fashion guided by medical experts.

Dr. Bhupendra Kumar (BK) Modi, PhD, Chairman Smart Global and Founder of Smart Living said, We are delighted to make an investment into, and to collaborate with, Stemedica. Our objective is to implement sophisticated technologies, advance new and improved innovations and encourage research for the betterment of the health of society. As Smart Living continues its worldwide educational efforts to promote health and wellbeing, Stemedicas leadership in the regenerative medicine movement is an ideal fit for our efforts.

Roger A. Howe, PhD, Stemedicas Executive Chairman said about the collaboration, This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to Dr. Modis One World educational forums. As an active participant in these forums, we will be able to promote healthier lifestyles in communities around the world. Stemedica, together with Smart Living, will emphasize the importance of new innovations that lead to medical breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, including Stemedicas stem cell technologies.

As part of the collaboration, Mr. Ozi Amanat, Smart Global Chief Investment Officer will become a business advisor to Stemedica. In accepting the appointment, Mr. Amanat said, Im honored to be working with Stemedica and its leadership. Stemedica is poised to bring the power and potential of regenerative medicine to the world. Stemedicas leadership in this field is exciting and I look forward to supporting their continued growth as well as creating maximum value to both organizations.

Smart Living has made an undisclosed investment in Stemedica.

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Stemedica Announces International Educational Collaboration With Smart Living

Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos

By Stem Cell Medical Center

9 hours ago Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) established from an interphase 2-cell SCNT blastocyst (magnification 40x). Credit: Mitalipov laboratory at OHSU

An Oregon Health & Science University scientist has been able to make embryonic stem cells from adult mouse body cells using the cytoplasm of two-cell embryos that were in the "interphase" stage of the cell cycle. Scientists had previously thought the interphase stagea later stage of the cell cyclewas incapable of converting transplanted adult cell nuclei into embryonic stem cells.

The findings by OHSU's Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., and his team could have major implications for the science of generating patient-matched human embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine. Human embryonic stem cells are capable of transforming into any cell type in the body. Scientists believe stem cell therapies hold promise for someday curing or treating a wide range of diseases and conditionsfrom Parkinson's disease to cardiac disease to spinal cord injuriesby replacing cells damaged through injury or illness.

Mitalipov's findings will be published March 26 in the online edition of Nature. If the new findings in mice hold true for humans, it could significantly help efforts to make rejection-proof human embryonic stem cells for regenerative therapies. That's because embryonic cells that Mitalipov's team used for reprogrammingcells in the "interphase" stageare more accessible than the traditional egg cells that are in short supply. Scientists previously had believed embryonic stem cells were capable of being produced only using the metaphase stage of egg cytoplasm.

Embryonic stem cells can be made using a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT, in which the nucleus from an adult cell is transferred into the cytoplasm of an unfertilized egg cell. The cytoplasmic machinery then "reprograms" that nucleus and cell into becoming an embryonic stem cell capable of transforming to any type of cell in the body.

"It has always been thought that this capacity for reprogramming ended with metaphase," said Mitalipov, senior scientist at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center. "Our study shows that this reprogramming capacity remains in the later embryonic cell cytoplasm even during interphase. It looks like the factors continue working and they efficiently reprogram the cellsjust as they do in metaphase."

Many scientists have attempted to reprogram cells by interphase cytoplasm. Mitalipov and his team found success by carefully synchronizing the cell cycles of the adult cell nucleus and the recipient embryonic cytoplasm. Both had to be at an almost identical point in their respective cell cycles for the process to work, Mitalipov said.

"That was the secret," Mitalipov said. "When we did that matching, then everything worked."

Mitalipov said the next step to further his research will be to test the process in rhesus macaques.

Mitalipov has become a world scientific leader in embryonic stem cell research and in somatic cell nuclear transfer. He recently was named the director of a newly created research center at OHSUthe Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy. The center will help Mitalipov and his team accelerate their research, with expanded support from private philanthropy.

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Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos

Stem cell tourism takes advantage of patients, says law professor

By Stem Cell Clinic

Patients falling prey to 'stem cell tourism' may pay tens of thousands of dollars for procedures that carry no promise of success or carry grievous risks of failure, says law and bioethics Professor Alta Charo.

Photo illustration: iStock

Desperate patients are easy prey for unscrupulous clinics offering untested and risky stem cell treatments, says UW-Madison law and bioethics Professor Alta Charo, who is studying "stem cell tourism."

Stem cells are cells that can form many types of cells in the body, and that makes them inherently promising and dangerous. "Stem cell tourism" refers to people traveling, both within the U.S. and abroad, in pursuit of advertised stem cell therapies to purportedly treat a variety of medical conditions.

Alta Charo

"The evidence for therapeutic use of stem cells is very limited, except for bone marrow stem cells, but patients all over the world are convinced stem cells will cure their disease," says Charo. "While there are some very promising results in the early clinical trials for stem cell therapies using embryonic and other kinds of stem cells, the 'treatments' being advertised by these clinics are dubious, mostly ineffective, and sometimes positively harmful.

"Patients are being hoodwinked, but there are dilemmas about tackling (the 'treatments') at regulatory or political levels."

The outrage over failures in stem cell tourism is limited, Charo says. Patients may pay tens of thousands of dollars for procedures that may carry no promise of success or carry grievous risks of failure. "Most people have no reason to pay attention, and those who are paying attention are sick, so they are focused on trying anything," Charo says. "If it does not work, they are already in a bad position with plenty to think about."

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Stem cell tourism takes advantage of patients, says law professor

First stem cell research paves way for new treatments for bipolar disorder

By Stem Cell Treatment

Home > News > health-news

Washington, Mar 26 : New stem cell research published by scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School, and fueled by the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, open doors to potential new treatments for bipolar disorder.

The team used skin from people with bipolar disorder to derive the first-ever stem cell lines specific to the condition.

They reported how they transformed the stem cells into neurons, similar to those found in the brain - and compared them to cells derived from people without bipolar disorder.

The comparison revealed very specific differences in how these neurons behave and communicate with each other, and identified striking differences in how the neurons respond to lithium, the most common treatment for bipolar disorder.

It's the first time scientists have directly measured differences in brain cell formation and function between people with bipolar disorder and those without.

The research team, are from the Medical School's Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Department of Psychiatry, and U-M's Depression Center, used a type of stem cell called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs.

By taking small samples of skin cells and exposing them to carefully controlled conditions, the team coaxed them to turn into stem cells that held the potential to become any type of cell. With further coaxing, the cells became neurons.

Not only could stem cell research help find new treatments, it may also lead to a way to target treatment to each patient based on their specific profile - and avoid the trial-and-error approach to treatment that leaves many patients with uncontrolled symptoms.

The research is published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

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First stem cell research paves way for new treatments for bipolar disorder

Bipolar Disorder Stem Cell Study Opens Doors To Potential New Treatments

By Stem Cell Treatment

Image Caption: These colorful neurons, seen forming connections to one another across synapses, were grown from induced pluripotent stem cells -- ones that were derived from skin cells taken from people with bipolar disorder. New research shows they act, and react to the bipolar drug lithium, differently from neurons derived from people without bipolar disorder. Credit: University of Michigan Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Lab

[ Watch the Video: First Stem Cell Study of Bipolar Disorder Yields Promising Results ]

April Flowers for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Bipolar disorder affects 200 million people globally, and yet there are so many questions surrounding the condition. Why are individuals with bipolar disorder prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? If there is no single gene to blame, why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families? And why, with the enormous number of people suffering from bipolar disorder, is it so hard to find new treatments?

A new study from the University of Michigan Medical School, funded by the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, reveals that the answers might actually be found within our stem cells.

To derive the first-ever stem cell lines specific to bipolar disorder, the research team used skin from individuals who suffer from the condition. They transformed these cells into neurons, similar to those found in the brain, then compared them to cells derived from people without the disorder.

Very specific differences in how these neurons behave and communicate with each other were revealed by the comparison, which also identified striking differences in how the neurons respond to lithium, the most common treatment for bipolar disorder.

This study represents the first time researchers have directly measured differences in brain cell formation and function between individuals with and without bipolar disorder.

The type of stem cells used for this study are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The team coaxed the sample cells to turn into stem cells that held the potential to become any type of cell by exposing the small samples of skin cells to carefully controlled conditions. Further coaxing turned the iPSCs into neurons.

This gives us a model that we can use to examine how cells behave as they develop into neurons. Already, we see that cells from people with bipolar disorder are different in how often they express certain genes, how they differentiate into neurons, how they communicate, and how they respond to lithium, says Sue OShea, Ph.D., an experienced U-M stem cell specialist.

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Bipolar Disorder Stem Cell Study Opens Doors To Potential New Treatments

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