Category Archives: Regenerative Medicine

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Scientists and physicians from the region interested in regenerative and reparative medicine techniques, such as helping aging stem cells stay focused on making strong bone, will meet in Augusta April 24 to hear updates from leaders in the field and strategize on how to move more research advances to patients.

The daylong Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapy Research Symposium, sponsored by the Georgia Regents University Institute for Regenerative and Reparative Medicine, begins at 8 a.m. in Room EC 1210 of the GRU Health Sciences Building.

"We think this is a terrific opportunity for basic scientists and physicians to come together and pursue more opportunities to work together to get better prevention and treatment strategies to patients," said Dr. William D. Hill, stem cell researcher and symposium organizer.

Dr. Arnold I. Caplan, Director of the Skeletal Research Center at Case Western Reserve University and a pioneer in understanding mesenchymal stem cells, which give rise to bone, cartilage, muscle, and more, will give the keynote address at 8:45 a.m. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is under study for a variety of conditions including multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, emphysema, and stroke.

Other keynotes include:

The GRU Institute for Regenerative and Reparative Medicine has a focus on evidence-based approaches to healthy aging with an orthopaedic emphasis. "As you age, the bone is more fragile and likely to fracture," Hill said. "We want to protect bone integrity before you get a fracture as well as your bone's ability to constantly repair so, if you do get a fracture, you will repair it better yourself."

Bone health is a massive and growing problem with the aging population worldwide. "What people don't need is to fall and wind up in a nursing home," said Dr. Mark Hamrick, MCG bone biologist and Research Director of the GRU institute. "This is a societal problem, a clinical problem, and a potential money problem that is going to burden the health care system if we don't find better ways to intervene."

The researchers are exploring options such as scaffolding to support improved bone repair with age as well as nutrients that impact ongoing mesenchymal stem cell health, since these stem cells, which tend to decrease in number and efficiency with age, are essential to maintaining strong bones as well as full, speedy recovery.

Dr. Carlos Isales, endocrinologist and Clinical Director of the GRU institute, is looking at certain nutrients, particularly amino acids, and how some of their metabolites produce bone damage while others prevent or repair it. Isales is Principal Investigator on a major Program Project grant from the National Institutes of Health exploring a variety of ways to keep aging mesenchymal stem cells healthy and focused on making bone. "I think the drugs we have reduce fractures, but I think there are better ways of doing that," Isales said. "We are always thinking translationally," said Hill.

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Regenerative Medicine Symposium set for April 24 at GRU

Asterias Biotherapeutics
Pedro Lichtinger, President CEO (NYSEMKT: AST) Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA Asterias develops products based on its core technology platforms of pluripotent stem cells and allogeneic dendritic.

By: Alliance for Regenerative Medicine

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Asterias Biotherapeutics - Video

Regenerative medicine uses cells harvested from the patient's own body to heal damaged tissue. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a cell-free substrate containing proteins to which autologous cells bind and grow only after implantation. Samples of the new implants will be on show at the Medtec expo.

Donor organs or synthetic implants are usually the only treatment option for patients who have suffered irreparable damage to internal organs or body tissue. But such transplants are often rejected. Implants based on autologous cells are more likely to be accepted by the human organism. But in order to grow, these cells require a compatible structural framework. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart are working on a project to develop suitable substrates -- known as scaffolds -- in collaboration with the university hospital in Tbingen and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Their solution is based on electrospinning, a process in which synthetic and biodegradable polymers such as polylactides are spun into fibers using an electrical charge. These fibers are then used to create a three-dimensional non-woven fabric.

Growing cells inside the patient's body

The scientists have chosen a novel approach in which proteins are added to the polymeric material during the electrospinning process, and become incorporated in the resulting hair-thin fibers. In this way, the material serves as a substrate to which the patient's own cells will bind after it has been implanted. "Electrospinning enables us to create a cell-free substrate on which cells can grow after it has been implanted in the patient's body. Each type of protein attracts specific cells, which adhere to the scaffold and grow there. By selecting the appropriate protein, we can build up heart tissue or regenerate other damaged organs," explains Dr. Svenja Hinderer, one of the research scientists working on this project at Fraunhofer IGB in Stuttgart.

The substrate is spun into a fine sheet and cut to the required size. To repair damage to the heart muscle, for instance, a scaffold corresponding to the extent of the damaged area is placed like a blanket over the muscular tissue. The polymeric fibers gradually degrade in the human organism over a period of approximately 48 months. During this time, the cells that bind to the proteins find an environment that is conducive to their growth. They construct their own matrix and restore the functions of the original tissue.

Successful bioreactor test results

The results of initial laboratory experiments and bioreactor tests have been very successful so far. The researchers have been able to demonstrate that esophageal/tracheal cells, which are difficult to culture in-vitro, are capable of binding to decorin protein fibers in the substrate and growing there. Another protein -- the stromal-cell derived growth factor SDF-1 -- binds with progenitor cells, a special type of stem cell necessary for constructing heart valves and for regenerating heart muscle cells after an infarction. "The implants we have fabricated using electrospinning demonstrate the same mechanical and structural properties as a normal heart valve. Like the original version, they close and open at a blood pressure of 120 to 80 mmHg during tests in a bioreactor," says Hinderer. The next step for the researcher and her colleagues is to test the protein-coated scaffolds in animal models.

The hybrid materials composed of polymeric and protein fibers can be produced and stored in large quantities. The IGB team is working to bring the novel substrate to market as a rapidly implementable alternative to conventional heart valve replacements. "We can't yet say how long this will take, though," comments the researcher. One of the advantages of cell-free implants is that they are classified as medical devices and not as novel therapeutic drugs, which means less time waiting for approval. "Even so, the process of obtaining approval for medical devices that are populated with human cells prior to implantation is very long and expensive," explains Hinderer. The researchers will be presenting samples of the polymeric scaffolds at the Medtec expo in Stuttgart from April 21 to 23, in the joint Fraunhofer booth (Hall 7, Booths 7B04/7B10). Exhibits also include a bioreactor for cell culture on these substrates.

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The above story is based on materials provided by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Novel tissue substitute made of high-tech fibers

Watchung, New Jersey (PRWEB) April 01, 2015

One of the fastest growing sectors of non-surgical orthopedic treatment is the exciting new subspecialty of Regenerative Medicine, which is more descriptively referred to as ortho-biologics. The deconstructed term relates to, ortho referring to orthopedic medicine and biologics, relating to a substance derived from human sources (usually stem cells or growth factors) to treat diseased or dysfunctional tissue.

Anyone who follows a professional sports team and their superstar players, has undoubtedly heard of the cutting-edge procedures of stem cell therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP). These therapies are most often discussed for the treatment of rotator cuff and meniscus tears, golfers and tennis elbow, osteoarthritis of hip and knee, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon injuries, to name but a few. Until recently, these treatments were only available to elite athletes. Fortunately, this technology is now available at Performance Rehabilitation & Integrated Medicine for both athletes and non-athletes that desire conservative, non-surgical solutions to pain reduction and to return to full function.

The following information is to provide the reader with some fundamental information regarding the science, application and indications for the use of stem cell and PRP treatments for common injuries seen in the non-surgical orthopedic practice.

The Basics of Adult Stem Cells (ASCs).

Adult stem cell (ASC) therapy is an exciting new procedure within the sub-specialty of Regenerative Medicine that is offering non-surgical, orthopedic solutions to otherwise potentially surgical conditions. ASCs are the wave of the future for treating chronic, unresponsive tendon conditions.

Stem Cell Therapy is quit simple, ASCs are obtained directly from the patient in a simple, pain-free procedure done in the office and reintroduced back to the patient (analogous), during a same day during a one-hour procedure. ASCs are different than the controversial embryonic stem cells. ASCs procedures are FDA-cleared and safe for human application.

Adult Stem Cells are undifferentiated, special cells found in bone marrow (hip and lower leg) and adipose tissue (buttock and abdomen fat) which have been proven to repair and regenerate damaged tissue as well as regeneration of bone, ligament, tendon, cartilage and muscle when grafted to the injured site, under the aide of ultra sound guided imaging. It is important to make the distinction that ASCs are obtained directly from the patient and reintroduced back to the patient (analogous). They are different than the controversial embryonic stem cells. ASC procedures are FDA-cleared and are safe for human use.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injectionThe Catalyst.

Stem cell injections are typically followed up with one or more Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedures. It is believed that PRP is the catalyst of the regenerative process by turning on growth factors and bio-active proteins that are essential for complete healing. A common metaphor I use with patients to help explain the process is the stem cells are the lawn seed and the PRP is the fertilizer. Both are essential for complete repair and healing of tissue.

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Performance Rehabilitation & Integrated Medicine in Watchung, NJ offers the latest 21st Century Non Surgical ...

IMAGE:This is the cover of Nanomedicine, MEDLINE indexed Impact factor: 5.824 (2013). view more

Credit: Future Science Group

31 March, 2015 - Nanomedicine has published a special focus issue on the combined force of nanomedicine and regenerative medicine; two fields that continue to develop at a dramatic pace.

Titled 'Engineering the nanoenvironment for regenerative medicine', the issue is guest edited by Professor Matthew J. Dalby (University of Glasgow, UK, and associate editor of Nanomedicine) and Dr Manus J.P. Biggs (National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland). It comprises 9 primary research articles and 3 reviews covering topics relevant to the current translation of nanotopography and nanofunctionalization for nanoscale regenerative strategies in medicine.

Indeed, the field of 'nanoregeneration' has grown exponentially over the last 15 years, and fields of study focusing on the nanobiointerface now include nanotopographical modification, formulation of existing biomaterials and modification of the extracellular matrix, as well as the development of targeting techniques using nanoparticles.

Nanoscale platforms are becoming increasingly recognized as tools to understand biological molecules, subcellular structures and how cells and organs work. Therefore, they could have real applications in regenerative medicine and increase our knowledge of how stem cells work, or in drug discovery and cell targeting.

"The fields of nanomedicine and regenerative medicine continue to evolve at a dramatic pace, with new and exciting developments almost a daily occurrence. This special focus issue highlights the translational research, reviews current thinking and 'shines a light' on the future potential of a field where nanomedicine converges with regenerative medicine," said Michael Dowdall, Managing Commissioning Editor of Nanomedicine. "We feel this is an important subject for our readers to have a comprehensive and contextual overview of. The special focus issue helps provide this context for researchers, by framing the potential applications of nanomedicine/nanoengineering in terms of the current 'state of the art' regenerative medicine techniques."

Professor Dalby commented: "This special focus issue on nanoscale regenerative strategies focuses on basic and translational aspects of nanotopography and nanofunctionalization, and also gives perspective to future fundamental developments in the field, helping provide a future translational pipeline."

Members of RegMedNet, the online community for those working in the field of regenerative medicine, can access select articles from the special focus issue through the online platform.

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Nanomedicine shines light on combined force of nanomedicine and regenerative medicine

Fujifilm Co. said Monday it will buy a U.S.-based developer of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to strengthen its position in the field of regenerative medicine field, especially new drug development.

Fujifilm said the firm has agreed with Cellular Dynamics International Inc. (CDI) to buy all of its stock for $307 million, or about 36 billion, through a takeover bid.

We are taking a significant and strong step to expand our regenerative medicine business with this acquisition, Fujifilm Chairman Shigetaka Komori said at a news conference in Tokyo.

We hope to become the worlds No. 1 firm in the field of regenerative medicine, he said.

Expectations toward regenerating human tissues from stem cells have been rising in recent years with technological developments, including the use of iPS cells, which are capable of turning into any kind of tissue in the body, and 3-D bioprinters.

Fujifilm sees great potential in new drug development, as the regenerated human tissue can be used to screen new drugs and is expected to someday replace animal testing.

Fujifilm also makes a biomaterial called recombinant peptide (RCP), which is a synthetic protein, that is used to regenerate human tissue by mixing with human stem cells.

Whats more, the firm has Japan Tissue Engineering Co., which provides tissue-engineered medical products like autologous cultured cartilage within its group, so acquiring CDI will bring synergies to the group, according to Fujifilm executive Yuzo Toda.

CDI, based in Wisconsin, researches and manufactures human tissue cells derived from iPS cells, such as hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes, for pharmaceutical makers.

The firm was founded in 2004 and went public on the Nasdaq stock market in 2013 and currently has about 150 employees. It posted $16.6 million in sales in 2014 and an operating loss of $29.2 million.

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120.18 /$ (11 a.m.)

Life sciences specialist Helen Cline of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said that regenerative medicine is the "future of medicine" and welcomed proposals to make navigating the regulatory environment easier.

A new report published by the Regenerative Medicine Expert Group (RMEG) (40-page / 4.17MB PDF) sets out what additional steps are necessary to help researchers develop and clinicians utilise technologies that improve the human body's ability to repair itself. The RMEG is tasked with developing an NHS regenerative medicine strategy.

In its report, RMEG defined 'regenerative medicine' as "methods that replace or regenerate human cells, tissues or organs in order to restore or establish normal function".

"The nature of regenerative medicine research involves creating personalised precision therapies that may provide a cure rather than merely alleviating symptoms but there is often a high up-front cost associated with these individualised therapies which raises challenges around evaluation, funding and adoption," Cline said.

Cline said that "unnecessary, excessively complex or burdensome regulation" together with "unclear evaluation and funding pathways could stifle the promise of regenerative medicine". However, she said moves to streamline regulation to enable innovation must not "put patients at risk of harm and damage the reputation of this field of research at a crucial point in its history".

"Regulation in the area of regenerative medicines is complex, reflecting the nature of the technologies and their risks," Cline said. "For example, in the UK there are four regulatory bodies each regulating distinct aspects of the development of regenerative medicine under different pieces of legislation."

Cline said there have already been steps taken towards the "streamlining of regulatory advice", with a single point of access for advice on regenerative medicine rules available from the Innovation Office within the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Regulators have also collaborated on providing guidance on regenerative medicines issues, including developing the UK Stem Cell Tool Kit to provide clear guidance on the regulatory pathways that must be followed in developing a regenerative product derived from stem cells, Cline said.

However, the RMEG's report said that "further steps are needed to ensure that standardisation of processes, and streamlined regulation, are guiding principles in advancing regenerative medicine".

The RMEG also identified funding issues as a barrier to the growth of regenerative medicines, and called on the UK government and industry to come together to develop "an innovative business model that supports the early adoption of regenerative medicines". It also called for reviews to be carried out on "the funding for excess treatment costs for cell therapy trials" with the aim of finding "a mechanism to ensure that meeting of these costs is not a barrier to clinical trials or the early adoption of technologies".

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UK must address regulatory and funding issues to realise promise of regenerative medicine, says expert

WSCS 2014: DATA ANALYSIS NEEDS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE (SUPPORTED BY BIOSCIENCE TECHNOLOGY)
Moderator - Tim Studt, Advantage Media Speakers - Michele Reilly, Turing, Inc. Michael Vassar, MetaMed James M. Watt, PhD, Eagle Medical Services, LLC.

By: worldstemcell

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WSCS 2014: DATA ANALYSIS NEEDS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE (SUPPORTED BY BIOSCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) - Video

MIAMI (PRWEB) March 19, 2015

Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiary, Stem Cells Training, has coordinated with Emil Arroyo, M.D. and Horacio Oliver, M.D. to conduct the first of four stem cell training courses planned for Bolivia in 2015. Devised to meet the increasing demand for regenerative medicine techniques in the region, the first adipose derived harvesting, isolation and re-integration training course will take place April 4 and 5, 2015, in Santa Cruz.

The two-day, hands-on intensive training course was developed for physicians and high-level practitioners to learn the techniques in harvesting and reintegrating stem cells derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow. The objective of the training is to provide physicians with practical stem cell medicine techniques they can use in-office to treat a variety of conditions in their patients.

For more information, visit the Global Stem Cells Group website, email info(at)stemcelltraining(dot)net, or call 305-224-1858.

About Global Stem Cells Group:

Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions.

With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.

Global Stem Cells Groups corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCGs six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.

About Stem Cell Training, Inc.:

Stem Cell Training, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary company offering coursework and training in 35 cities worldwide. The coursework offered focuses on minimally invasive techniques for harvesting stem cells from adipose tissue, bone marrow and platelet-rich plasma. By equipping physicians with these techniques, the goal is to enable them to return to their practices, better able to apply these techniques in patient treatments.

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Global Stem Cells Group to Hold Practical Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Harvesting, Isolation and Re-integration Training ...

Laurel Barchas: Becoming a Stem Cel Scientist
In this video produced by ConnectEd California, Laurel Barchas, a Ph.D. student in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, describes how her passion for stem cell research has inspired her to bring...

By: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

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Laurel Barchas: Becoming a Stem Cel Scientist - Video