Category Archives: Iowa Stem Cells

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

10-Dec-2014

Contact: David McKeon dmckeon@nyscf.org 212-365-7440 New York Stem Cell Foundation @nyscf

New York, NY (December 10, 2014) - The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating cures through stem cell research, announced a collaboration today with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA), a patient-led disease foundation with the mission to advance research on genetic neuropathies that leads to the development of new therapies. The immediate aim of the collaboration is to develop a bank of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines for a variety of neuropathy disorders of known genetic causation and to eventually develop personalized drug therapies.

NYSCF will make stem cells lines from Charcot-Marie-Tooth patient materials that have been curated in a biobank assembled by Dr. Michael Shy at the University of Iowa, a member of the CMTA STAR consortium of sponsored investigators. Utilizing its automated technology, the NYSCF Global Stem Cell ArrayTM, NYSCF will systematically generate iPSC lines from tissue samples obtained from patients representing a number of disease states. These cell lines will then be used to develop methods for creating differentiated cells that mimic the myelin-producing Schwann cells that are defective in Type 1 Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders of peripheral nerve, as well as the motor and sensory neurons that are defective in Type 2 disorders. Members of the STAR consortium currently engaged in this CMTA-sponsored effort to differentiate iPSC lines include Dr. Robert Baloh, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, and Dr. Gabsang Lee, Johns Hopkins University. The ultimate aim of this research is to create a personalized medicine approach to rapid testing of human drug responsiveness in a dish. The iPSC lines will also be expanded and banked by NYSCF and made available to the global scientific community to be used for research and the development of therapies.

Patrick Livney, CEO of the CMTA notes: "The Foundation has assembled the scientific and clinical key opinion leaders in CMT disorders, and the research tools necessary to validate therapeutic opportunities for their clinical potential. We have set out to engage drug makers to work together with the CMTA to advance new therapeutic approaches to our patients, and our STAR network that combines this world class research expertise with an operational capability has been highly enabling to the formation of collaborative alliances for this purpose. Currently, there are no therapies for the different CMT disorders to halt either the onset or progression of the disease. This NYSCF collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for the CMTA to place research on therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders in a personalized, patient context at a very early stage.

"We are very exctied to partner with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association to develop resources that will enable the pursuit of new treatments and eventually cures for neruropathy disorders," said Susan L. Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of NYSCF. "Partnering with CMTA provides us with the necessary community of scientists, patients, disease experts, as well as resources that allows us to move research forward. We believe that this type of interdisciplinary collaboration between various stakeholders is essential to to move research forward in the pursuit of cures."

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About Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association

The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) is a registered 501c3 dedicated to serving an international patient community that suffers from rare and disabling neuropathies of genetic origin. The Foundation directly engages its STAR scientific and clinical research network in the identification, validation and clinical development of therapies for the different Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders.

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NYSCF and the CMTA enter collaboration to advance neuropathies research

Scientists from three Boston institutions have createdCellNet, a computer algorithm to assist scientists in their efforts to engineer specialized cells.

Johnson & Johnson has deepened its ties to regenerative medicine outfit ViaCyte, handing the biotech $20 million in exchange for a future stake in the company and the right to acquire its in-development diabetes medication.

Novartis is forging ahead with a prospective stem cell biotech buyout, agreeing to pay $35 million to grab a sizable equity stake in Gamida Cell while executing a short term option deal that will allow the pharma giant the right to gobble up the company for another $600 million split up between a $165 million upfront payout with the rest up for grabs in development and sales milestones.

Gene therapy 2.0 at bluebird bio is demonstrating some early signs of success with an upgrade to its experimental therapy for the genetic blood disorder beta-thalassemia demonstrating promising results in a pair of patients, weaning them off the regular blood transfusions needed to stay alive.

Miltenyi Biotec said today that the FDA had approved its device for humanitarian use in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are getting allogeneic stem cell transplants from matched, related donors. The device, called the CliniMACS CD34 Reagent System, is designed to lower the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is a common complication of this type of transplant.

Israel's Pluristem Therapeutics is back in the spotlight with some positive results for its stem cell therapy in treating patients with a muscle injury, giving the biotech some good news in its up-and-down development path.

Celgene helped seal its reputation as one of the boldest dealmakers in biotech today, putting up $177.25 million in an upfront fee and equity stake while committing to more than $3 billion in milestones to partner on a slate of cancer stem cell programs in development at OncoMed.

This year's examination of our top 5 stories of the year says a lot about what works when you're creating a presence on the world wide web and how it can also deliver super-sized audiences on some odd bits of work.

Thursday night the biotech company offloaded the product, and its mesenchymal stem cell platform in regenerative medicine, to Australia's Mesoblast for $50 million in near-term cash and stock and up to $50 million more in milestones.

After more than a year of not-so-secret negotiations, Geron has finally auctioned off its long-stalled embryonic stem cell pipeline, handing it over to a newly created BioTime subsidiary in exchange for shares.

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stem cell - FierceBiotech - Biotech Industry, Biotech News ...

IOWA AND STEM CELLS: Braley/Ernst Race has National Impact

By Don C. Reed

Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley strongly supports embryonic stem (ES) cell research.

For me, this isnt a Republican or Democratic issueits a personal one. My own nephew suffers from juvenile diabetes, and I stand with former First Lady Nancy Reagan in support of the research that might one day save his life.

http://braley.house.gov/...

His Republican rival, Joni Ernst, takes the opposite position. Ms. Ernst has sponsored personhood legislation which would give legal rights to fertilized eggs. This would almost certainly criminalize ES research, as well as threatening the existence of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures, along with other perhaps unintended consequences.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

Her partys platform is crystal clear: calling for a ban on all embryonic stem cell research, both public and private.

http://thinkprogress.org/...

Does this matter, in an Iowa Senatorial race?

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IOWA AND STEM CELLS: Braley/Ernst Race has National Impact

When 25-year-old Russell Evans arrived at Genesis Medical Center two months ago, he was motionless, lying in a hospital bed.

That's a sharp contrast to the Evans who showed up all smiles Wednesday, walking down a corridor at Genesis Medical Center-West Central Park Avenue in Davenport.

It's one example of what to expect from the new Neuroscience Institute at Genesis in apartnership with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinicsthat was announced Wednesday.

Evans was involved in a one-vehicle accident in late July. He was riding in a truck that rolled on a gravel road, throwing him from the vehicle and injuring his spine in the neck and lower back areas.

He was treated at University Hospitals. Shortly after arriving in the emergency department, his parents were asked to enroll him in a neurological research study on a new drug that helps to stabilize the spinal cord after a traumatic injury.

The drug is safer than an alternative treatment that involves the use of stem cells, said Dr. Conway Chin, who oversees the project at Genesis.

The study involves Genesis as well as the University of Iowa.

Chin also supervises Evans' care in Davenport, which involves nurses and therapists who work especially to help Evans regain movement on his right side.

That Evans has recovered so much from a traumatic spinal injury is unusual, Chin said.

The rehabilitation unit at Genesis that is helping Evans is an example of how the hospital is working with specialists from the University of Iowa. That relationship is taking a step ahead with the Neuroscience Institute, officials said.

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Genesis launches new Neuroscience Institute

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Cedar Rapids IA Resources - Stem Cells: Get Facts on Uses ...

Institute has raised $400K in donations

BY ALYSSA GUZMAN | SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 5:00 AM

This year, the John Paul II Medical Research Institute received the most donations it has ever seen.

We received funds through the Ice Bucket Challenge, institute President Jay Kamath said. There wasnt a whole lot that we did on the marketing base to gather funds. It was the efforts of the people who conducted the videos.

Thus far, the institute, which has taken a stance against using embryonic stem cells in research, has received more than $400,000 in donations.

Those who have views that align with the institute have decided to send donations its way.

When the Ice Bucket Challenge came up, there were a lot of people who were opposed to giving to the ALS Foundation because they use embryonic cells [for research], Kamath said.

Instead, the John Paul institution uses induced pluripotent stem cells and other adult stem cells.

Such cells have many of the same features as the embryotic stem cells, but instead of extracting them from an embryo, cells are taken from patients and are genetically reprogrammed into a very primitive embryotic life stem cell.

Alan Moy, the founder of the institute, said his Catholicism influenced his choice to not use embryotic stem cells.

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Institute has raised $400K in donations

IOWA CITY An Iowa City-area research institute that pledges to avoid using embryonic stems cells has received more than $400,000 in donations from the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Several Catholic archdioceses, including those in Cincinnati, St. Louis and Dubuque, recommended Catholics divert donations from the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association to the John Paul II Medical Research Institute because the ALSA has one study using embryonic stem cells.

Using stem cells from aborted fetuses is opposed by some religious groups.

Weve received donations from all 50 states and 37 countries, said Jay Kamath, CEO of the JP2 Institute. A good portion of that has been earmarked for ALS.

The ALSA started the Challenge July 29, asking people to post videos of themselves being doused with icy water and/or make a donation to an ALS charity. The national group raised more than $100 million from the viral drive.

The JP2 Institute, founded in 2008 by Dr. Alan Moy, an Iowa City pulmonologist, has developed a platform for research on adult stem cells, but so far hasnt done any studies on ALS. The non-profit is trying to raise $1 million to set up a clean room so researchers can do clinical studies themselves, rather than outsourcing to other laboratories.

The institute employs three researchers at the University of Iowas BioVentures Center in Coralville.

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Iowa City-area institute gets $400,000 from Ice Bucket ...

Bioethics@

Compiled by Kristen Hessler

khessler@iastate.edu For the Biotechnology Outreach Education Center Iowa State University

In this activity, you will break into groups to review various ethical positions on stem cell research. All groups will read the introductory material from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Then each group (NIH, CAMR, President Bush, Do No Harm) will read its own groups statement on stem cell research and fill out the questionnaire (PDF file). We will then convene to discuss each groups ethical views on stem cell research and their arguments for their views. Each group will be asked to select a representative to present their groups views and arguments.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

a. Identify common positions in the debate about the ethics of stem cell research; b. Analyze ethical arguments; c. Formulate, defend, and discuss productively with others their own views about the ethics of stem cell research.

Introduction: "Embryonic Stem Cells: Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison"

National Institutes of Health (NIH): "Stem Cell Basics"

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR): "Fast Action!"

The White House: President George W. Bush: Remarks by the President on Stem Cell Research

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ISU Bioethics Outreach--Stem Cells - Iowa State University

Ames IA Stem Cell Treatment | 1.800.872.0222

A Ames Iowa stem cell treatment is a cutting edge medical therapy in which specific diseases or injuries are treated by introducing various types of stem cells into damaged tissue. The most extensively used Ames IA stem cell treatment therapy is the transfusion of bone marrow from one patient to another to fight conditions such as leukemia and lymphoma. This type of Ames Iowa stem cell treatment allows the recipient to regenerate their immune system and fight of the cancer. In the last few decades, physicians have discovered numerous types of stem cells and many new and promising advances in medical treatments.

Stem cells can be taken from a variety of sources including bone marrow cells, autologous adipose cells, and umbilical cord cells. Each type of cell is useful in a Ames Iowa stem cell treatment that targets different types of conditions. Stem cells have unique properties that allow them to be used in a Ames IA stem cell treatment primarily that they can reproduce other stem cells and are precursor cells which have the ability to change into several other different types of cells. Stem cell therapy can literally allow the body to regenerate nerves and other cell types that were previously thought unrepeatable.

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Ames IA Stem Cell Treatment | Ames Iowa Cancer Stem Cell ...