Category Archives: Regenerative Medicine

Update On Stem Cell Research
Regenerative medicine and stem cell technology is revolutionizing the medical field. Kristin Comella, Chief Science Officer for Bioheart (BHRT), explains the growth of the industry and the potential.

By: Bioheart Inc.

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Update On Stem Cell Research - Video

Scientists at Edinburgh University have for the first time been able to build a complete and functional organ in a living animal using cells created in a laboratory.

The breakthrough has been described as an important first step in developing a substitute for organ transplants which could eventually overcome problems with donor supplies and the use of immunosuppressive therapy.

Professor Clare Blackburn, from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Edinburgh University, who led the team of scientists, said: "The ability to grow replacement organs from cells in the lab is one of the 'holy grails' in regenerative medicine.

"But the size and complexity of lab-grown organs has so far been limited.

"By directly reprogramming cells we've managed to produce an artificial cell type that, when transplanted, can form a fully organised and functional organ."

The technique, which produces a thymus, a vital immune system "nerve centre", has so far only been tested on mice.

It may be another 10 years before the treatment is proven to be effective and safe enough for human patients.

However, Professor Blackburn said: "This is an important first step towards the goal of generating a clinically useful artificial thymus in the lab."

The research is published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

It reports that, while fragments of organs, including hearts, livers and even brains, have been grown from stem cells, no-one before has succeeded in producing a fully intact organ from cells created outside the body.

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'Holy grail' of organs grown in labs can end transplants

In a boon to stem cell research and regenerative medicine, scientists at Boston Children's Hospital, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Boston University have created a computer algorithm called CellNet as a "roadmap" for cell and tissue engineering, to ensure that cells engineered in the lab have the same favorable properties as cells in our own bodies. CellNet and its application to stem cell engineering are described in two back-to-back papers in the August 14 issue of the journal Cell.

Scientists around the world are engaged in culturing pluripotent stem cells (capable of forming all the body's tissues) and transforming them into specialized cell types for use in research and regenerative medicine. Available as an Internet resource for any scientist to use, CellNet provides a much needed "quality assurance" measure for this work.

The two papers also clarify uncertainty around which methods are best for stem cell engineering, and should advance the use of cells derived from patient tissues to model disease, test potential drugs and use as treatments. For example, using CellNet, one of the studies unexpectedly found that skin cells can be converted into intestinal cells that were able to reverse colitis in a mouse model.

"To date, there has been no systematic means of assessing the fidelity of cellular engineering -- to determine how closely cells made in a petri dish approximate natural tissues in the body," says George Q. Daley, MD, PhD, Director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Boston Children's and senior investigator on both studies. "CellNet was developed to assess the quality of engineered cells and to identify ways to improve their performance."

Gene Signatures

CellNet applies network biology to discover the complex network of genes that are turned on or off in an engineered cell, known as the cell's Gene Regulatory Network or GRN. It then compares that network to the cell's real-life counterpart in the body, as determined from public genome databases. Through this comparison, researchers can rigorously and reliably assess:

"CellNet will also be a powerful tool to advance synthetic biology -- to engineer cells for specific medical applications," says James Collins, PhD, Core Faculty member at the Wyss Institute and the William F. Warren Distinguished Professor at Boston University, co-senior investigator on one of the studies.

Putting CellNet to the Test

The researchers -- including co-first authors Patrick Cahan, PhD and Samantha Morris, PhD, of Boston Children's, and Hu Li, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic, first used CellNet to assess the quality of eight kinds of cells created in 56 published studies.

In a second study, they applied CellNet's teachings to a recurring question in stem cell biology: Is it feasible to directly convert one specialized cell type to another, bypassing the laborious process of first creating an iPS cell? This study looked at two kinds of directly converted cells: liver cells made from skin cells, and macrophages made from B cells.

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Tissue development 'roadmap' created to guide stem cell medicine

WOW....regenerative medicine with stem cells natural activation !
NEW 100% NATURAL STEM CELLS ACTIVATOR !

By: Juan Perez

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WOW....regenerative medicine with stem cells natural activation ! - Video

Let It Grow - High School Stem Cell Researchers - City of Hope
http://www.cirm.ca.gov Through a grant funded by California #39;s Stem Cell Agency (CIRM), high school students across California spent their summer getting hand...

By: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

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Let It Grow - High School Stem Cell Researchers - City of Hope - Video

The future of medicine is regenerative medicine.

Thats a view shared by Thomas Gonwa, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine in Jacksonville, and by Jorge and Leslie Bacardi.

Regenerative medicine will be the cutting-edge medicine of the 21st century, Gonwa says.

We think it is the most important thing happening in medicine, Leslie Bacardi said.

Now the Bacardis, who live in Nassau in the Bahamas, have given what Mayo Clinic officials call a substantial gift to fund ongoing research and clinical trials in regenerative medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Jorge Bacardi, part of the family that has been making rum and other spirits for 150 years, declined to specify the amount of the gift. Were not people who boast about the amount we give, he said.

Its an amount that should be sufficient to fund the ongoing research into regenerative medicine in Jacksonville, he said.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic both in Jacksonville and in Rochester, Minn., now envision a future in which new organs can be grown for patients, using their own cells, and a time when the injection of stem cells can be used to repair a damaged organ.

Last year, Tim Nelson, a physician with the Center for Regenerative Medicine in Rochester, removed tissue from the arm of ABC Nightline reporter Bill Weir and created what Weir called a tiny piece of my cardiac tissue that had dramatically formed into the shape of a heart a pumping, three-dimensional glimpse into a future when this kind of cell could theoretically be injected into a heart-attack victim or a diseased child and literally mend the person from within.

That, to us, was just mind-boggling, Leslie Bacardi said. ... Regenerative medicine is for us an investment in our future and the future of medicine. It may take a while to reap any benefits, but when those benefits do come, it will make the investment seem small.

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Gift from Bacardi family will help Mayo Clinic researchers in Jacksonville close in on 'the future of medicine'

(PRWEB) July 28, 2014

According to a new market research report published by Transparency Market Research "Regenerative Medicine (Bone and Joint) Market (By Technology - Stem Cell Therapy, Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering; By Applications - Bone Graft Substitutes, Osteoarticular Diseases, Allogeneic Products, Autogenic Products and Others) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019" the global regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2012 and is estimated to reach a market worth of USD 6.5 billion in 2019 growing at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2013 to 2019.

Regenerative medicine is considered as an emerging field of medical science that aims to regenerate, repair or replace damaged tissue and organs. U.S. National Institute of Health stated that regenerative medicine is the process of creating functional tissue to repair and replace tissue or organ which has lost their function due to damage, congenital defects, disease and age. Technological advancement in tissue engineering and stem cell therapy is expected to drive the global market for regenerative medicine (bone and joint). Moreover, growing prevalence of bone and joint disorder has also accounted for the market growth of the global regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market. However, ethical issues pertaining to stem cell therapy and fear of disease transmission due to allogeneic bone implantation are considered as market hindering factors during the study period. Companies operating in this market focus on investing in emerging economies of Asia-Pacific such as India, China, Japan and South Korea. These economies represent huge potential for various bone and joint reconstructive products due to rising healthcare expenditure and presence of large patient pool suffering from arthritis disorder (rheumatoid arthritis).

Title: Regenerative Medicine (Bone and Joint) Market Published: 1 July 2014 Pages: 85 Price: US$ 4,795.00 (Single User) For further inquiries, click here: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=419.

The global market for regenerative medicine is segmented based on technology as stem cell therapy, biomaterials and tissue engineering. In 2012, biomaterials segment accounted for the largest market share in the global regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market owing to favorable reimbursement policies and strong demand of biomaterials in the global market. However, high cost associated with biomaterials is a factor that would restrict the global market demand to some extent during the study period.

In addition, based on applications the global market for regenerative medicine (bone and joint) is segmented as bone graft substitute, osteoarticular diseases, allergenic bones, autogenic bones and others. In 2012, bone graft substitute segment accounted for the largest market share in the global regenerative medicine bone and joint application market owing to growing demand of bone graft substitute in orthopaedic surgeries. However, post implantation rejection associated with bone graft substitute is considered as a crucial factor that would restrict the global market demand of bone graft substitute.

Browse the Press Release of Regenerative Medicine Market @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/regenerative-medicines-market.htm

On the basis of geography, the regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market is segmented as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). North America accounted for the largest market share for regenerative medicine (bone and joint) globally in 2012 owing to increase in orthopaedic re-constructive surgeries and introduction of technologically advanced medical devices and products. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), prevalence of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is increasing with rise in elderly population and is estimated that approximately 2.4 million Americans would be affected by LSS by 2021. It has also stated that in 1990 approximately 129,000 Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) surgeries were performed in the U.S. Europe accounted for the second largest share in the global regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market in 2012.

Large geriatric population base is one of the important factors driving the growth of regenerative medicine bone and joint application market in this region. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2013 to 2019, due to large pool of potential reconstructive surgery patients and strong support from federal government. Additionally, companies are expecting large revenue with sufficient market penetration from Asia-Pacific region and thereby focusing on increasing investments in this region. For instance, in May 2013, Smith & Nephew acquired Sushrut Surgical Pvt. Ltd. an Indian medical technology company. Sushrut Surgicals product portfolio includes trauma implants and instruments, spine and limb salvage products. This acquisition would expand and enhance the product offerings of Smith & Nephew and would also assist in capturing lucrative market share in Asia-Pacific region.

Major market players having presence in the global regenerative medicine (bone and joint) market include DePuy Synthes, Inc. (HEALOS Bone Graft), Medtronic, Inc. (INFUSE Bone Graft) and Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (CopiOs Bone Void Filler), Orthofix, Inc. (Trinity Evolution) and NuVasive, Inc. (Osteocel Plus).

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Regenerative Medicine Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 - 2019

Poway, CA (PRWEB) July 10, 2014

Robert Harman, DVM, Founder and CEO of Vet-Stem, Inc., the leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine company, is proud to announce the relaunch of his highly informative blog, now named Stem Cells for Pets, launching with a new series called What are Stem Cells? Dr. Harmans purpose for blogging is to give an honest and straightforward foundation in the basics of stem cell therapy so that pet owners can make an educated decision on the right type of treatment when considering regenerative medicine.

A veterinarian by trade, Dr. Harman is in his third decade of biotechnology entrepreneurial-ship, has overseen the completion of more than a thousand contract research projects in veterinary and human products, and has led a handful of companies to licensing and sale. Harmans current company, Vet-Stem, was the first to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients. As a pioneer in the field, Vet-Stem now holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents, and continues blazing the trail for clinical trials and scientific studies.

Dr. Harman leverages this experience and Vet-Stems over 10,000 horse, dog, cat, and exotic animal cases in the last decade to present supporting data, not only for orthopedic conditions, but also on the use of stem cells for various degenerative, immune-mediated, inflammatory, and organ diseases. He has authored several book chapters, created a stem cell RACE (Registry of Approved Continuing Education for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards) Continuing Education course for veterinarians and technicians, and is currently developing a curriculum for a Regenerative Veterinary Medicine college course. All the while he truly enjoys communicating with interest groups and pet owners about cutting-edge medicine for their animals.

Dr. Harman speaks with agility groups, working dog clubs, performance horse gatherings, and at industry conferences with the desire of spreading the facts about the positive capabilities of stem cells. He will be using his new blog, Stem Cells for Pets, as a public forum for pet owners to read about basic topics explaining where stem cells come from, how they work and their capabilities; as well as what stem cells are currently being used to treat, what to expect from the treatment, and alternative therapies that can be partnered with stem cell therapy for advanced improvement.

In small animal health care more and more pet owners are educating themselves on breed specific ailments and diseases. This is also an area of interest for Dr. Harman, who is committed to investigating and reporting of stem cell therapy for alternative uses such as chronic kidney failure in cats and inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. Although Vet-Stem Cell Therapy was originally created for acute injuries in horses, like bowed tendons and torn ligaments, Vet-Stems mission is to improve the lives of all animals through regenerative medicine.

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Robert Harman, DVM Talks About What Stem Cells are in His Latest Blog Series for Vet-Stem, Inc.

DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence at the TU Dresden

The molecular biosciences provide unique prospects to enhance tissue and organ regeneration. Our goal is to develop advanced treatments for haemato-oncological, neurodegenerative, diabetic, bone, and cardiovascular diseases.

Dresden has outstanding expertise in the life science disciplines (medicine, molecular cell- and developmental biology, stem cell research, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics) and engineering (tissue engineering, biomaterials science, chemistry, nanotechnology), providing a fertile ground for a broad interdisciplinary effort towards developing regenerative therapies. Over 150 partners from science, economy, administration, culture, and finance from Biopolis, an innovative network for biomedical research. Scientific integration and synergy within the Biopolis is facilitated by the close location of participating institutes.

The DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence at the TU Dresden is capitalizing on basic and clinical research in regenerating model organisms and in patients to understand stem cell recruitment, activation, proliferation, homing and differentiation, and will apply this knowledge to control these cellular processes using genetics, surface engineering and micro devices in order to elicit regenerative responses.

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Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden - CRTD

Regenerative medicine is now Tim Bertrams work but in previous chapters of his career, he focused on drugs while working for large pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Smithkline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG).

Bertram left big pharma seven years ago to join Tengion (NASDAQ:TNGN), whose tissue regeneration technology was originally developed at Wake Forest Universitys Institute for Regenerative Medicine. But before joining Tengion, his pharma colleagues gave him a warning: This technology will not go anywhere for at least 25 years, recalled Bertram, who is now Tengions chief scientific officer and interim CEO.

Regenerative medicine has come a long way. In 2005, most regenerative medicine research was done in academic institutions, Bertram said. Now there are companies such as Tengion. Applications for the kidney have been estimated to be a $32 billion opportunity. The eye represents a $40 billion annual market. As for East Norriton, Pennsylvannia-based Tengion, the companys technology has orphan drug designation from the Food and Drug Administration and is now being studied in clinical trials for use in patients with bladder cancer.

Bertram was the keynote speaker Thursday at the Regenerative Medicine Roundtable, a conference coordinated by Nagoya University. The university, located in central Japan, sponsors an annual roundtable in Research Triangle Park showcasing some of Nagoyas research. Nagoya maintains a three-person technology transfer office near RTP with the goal of licensing the universitys intellectual property. Nagoyas research includes work that could lead to treatments for neurogenic bladder and prostate cancer.

If the market opportunities are apparent, what are the barriers to the technology? Bertram said that many people think the biggest barrier is money. But thats not necessarily the case. Bertram is a member of the Tissue Engineering International & Regenerative Medicine Society, or TERMIS. The group is scheduled to release results of a regenerative medicine survey at the TERMIS North America chapter meeting in December but Bertram gave an early peak at some of the findings. Academics, companies and venture capitalists were queried about the barriers to commercializing regenerative medicine. Companies believe theres a dearth of investment dollars. But venture capitalists did not rank the availability of money as a hurdle for regenerative medicine. VCs have money to invest but their concerns lie in translating this science into clinical applications.

Money is available, said Abner Mhashilkar, medical translational officer for the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Before joining Wake Forest, Mhashilkar worked for venture capital firm Toucan Capital, which focuses on investments in stem cells and regenerative medicine. Mhashilkar said that from the venture capitalists standpoint, one of regenerative medicines investment hurdles is time. Venture capitalists would like to see a return three to five times their investment within five to six years. Thats a tough timeline for regenerative medicine to meet. But Mhashilkar said that the technology has progressed and investors are interested. Theyre willing to invest now if they can find the right opportunity.

In order to find funding, companies need to go beyond discussing the science and emphasize the commercial applications, Bertram said. If the story of the technology is not simple and clear, the investment opportunity wont be apparent.

It will be up to investors to decide whether regenerative medicine is a sound investment. The National Venture Capital Association on Thursday released a report that said life sciences investments are shifting from the United States to Europe and Asia, a move driven by the uncertainty and length of the Food and Drug Administrations approval process. The investment picture is cloudy but its clear that regenerative medicine technology was not 25 years away.

Its coming, Bertram said. Its here. I dont believe its going to be beyond my lifetime. At least I hope.

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TNGN's Bertram discusses regenerative medicine's potential