Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As Rainbow BioSciences, the biotech subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC), works to acquire licensing for commercial use of NASA-developed stem cell expansion technology, the company received good news from a Wall Street analysts forecast on Wednesday.

Writing for Seeking Alpha, George Kesarios predicted major growth for the global stem cell market in coming years. Its estimated that the market will be worth about $64 billion by 2015, up from $21.5 billion in 2010.

Kesarios attributed the growth largely to a potential revolution in drug companies research and development made possible by an abundance of induced pluripotent stem cells.

With these stem cells, scientists can actually create working facsimiles of living human tissue, introduce diseases and observe how they unfold under a microscope, said RBCC CEO Patrick Brown. Spending a decade on research only to discover in trials that a drug doesnt work could become a thing of the past. Stem cells hold the key to the future of profitable, effective drug development.

Thats why RBCC has engaged Regenetech in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of a license to perform cell expansion using that companys Rotary Cell Culture SystemTM.

The Rotary Cell Culture SystemTM is a rotating-wall bioreactor designed to facilitate the growth of human cells in simulated weightlessness. Cell cultures, including stem cells, grown inside the bioreactor look and function much closer to human cells grown within the body than the flat cell cultures grown in Petri dishes.

The potential for stem cells expansion using this unique culturing system originally devised for the space program is incredible, Brown said. Every cell researcher in the world is going to want access to this technology.

RBCC plans to offer new technology to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), Celgene Corporation (CELG), Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ:GENZ) and Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD).

For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, please visit http://www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.html.

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RBCC: Stem Cell Market Poised for Billion-Dollar Growth

SACRAMENTO UC Davis investigators have found new evidence that a promising type of stem cell now being considered for a variety of disease therapies is very similar to the type of cells that give rise to cancer. The findings suggest that although the cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show substantial promise as a source of replacement cells and tissues to treat injuries, disease and chronic conditions, scientists and physicians must move cautiously with any clinical use because iPSCs could also cause malignant cancer.

The article, "Induced pluripotency and oncogenic transformation are related processes," is now online in the journal Stem Cells and Development.

"This is the first study that describes the specific molecular pathways that iPSCs and cancer cells share from a direct comparison" said Paul Knoepfler, associate professor of cell biology and human anatomy, and principal investigator of the study. "It means that much more study is required before iPSCs can be used clinically. However, our study adds to a growing knowledge base that not only will help make stem cell therapies safer, but also provide us with new understandings about the cancer-causing process and more effective ways to fight the disease."

Since 2007, cell biologists have been able to induce specialized, differentiated cells (such as those obtained from the skin or muscle of a human adult) to become iPSCs. Like embryonic stem cells, iPSCs are a type of stem cell that is able to become any cell type. This "pluripotent" capability means that iPSCs have the potential of being used in treatments for a variety of human diseases, a fundamentally new type of clinical care known as regenerative medicine.

iPSCs are considered particularly important because their production avoids the controversy that surrounds embryonic stem (ES) cells. In addition, iPSCs can be taken from a patient's own skin and induced to produce other needed tissues, thereby evading the possibility of immunologic rejection that arises when transplanting cells from a donor to a recipient. In contrast to therapies based on ES cells, iPSCs would eliminate the need for patients to take immunosuppressive drugs.

Earlier research indicated that both ES cells and iPSCs pose some health risks. Increasing evidence suggests that pluripotency may be related to rapid cellular growth, a characteristic of cancer. iPSCs, as well as embryonic stem cells, are well known by scientists to have the propensity to cause teratomas, an unusual type of benign tumor that consists of many different cell types. The new UC Davis study demonstrates for the first time that iPSCs as well as ES cells share significant similarities to malignant cancer cells.

The investigators compared iPSCs to a form of malignant cancer known as oncogenic foci that are also produced in laboratories; these cell types are used by medical researchers to create models of cancer, particularly sarcoma. Specifically, the scientists contrasted the different cells' transcriptomes, comprised of the RNA molecules or "transcripts." Unlike DNA analysis, which reflects a cell's entire genetic code whether or not the genes are active, transcriptomes reflect only the genes that are actively expressed at a given time and therefore provide a picture of actual cellular activity.

From this transcriptome analysis, the investigators found that the iPSCs and malignant sarcoma cancer cells are unexpectedly similar in several respects. Genes that were not expressed in iPSCs were also not expressed in the cancer-generating cells, including many that have properties that guide a cell to normally differentiate in certain directions. Both cell types also exhibited evidence of similar metabolic activities, another indication that they are related cell types.

"We were surprised how similar iPSCS were to cancer-generating cells," said Knoepfler. "Our findings indicate that the search for therapeutic applications of iPSCs must proceed with considerable caution if we are to do our best to promote patient safety."

Knoepfler noted, for example, that future experimental therapies using iPSCs for human transplants would most often not involve implanting iPSCs directly into a patient. Instead, iPSCs would be used to create differentiated cells or tissues in the laboratory, which could then be transplanted into a patient. This approach avoids implanting the actual undifferentiated iPSCS, and reduces the risk of tumor development as a side effect. However, Knoepfler noted that even trace amounts of residual iPSCs could cause cancer in patients, a possibility supported by his team's latest research.

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Cancer, induced pluripotent stem cell similarities

September 30, 2012

April Flowers for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

A research team from the University of California, Davis, has found evidence that a promising type of stem cell being considered for a variety of disease therapies is very similar to the type of cells that cause cancer. The cells, known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show promise as a source of replacement cells and tissues to treat injuries, diseases and chronic conditions. Although the iPSCs have the potential for such good, scientists have to move cautiously because they could also cause malignant cancer, according to the teams study published online in the journal Stem Cells and Development.

This is the first study that describes the specific molecular pathways that iPSCs and cancer cells share from a direct comparison said Paul Knoepfler, associate professor of cell biology and human anatomy. It means that much more study is required before iPSCs can be used clinically. However, our study adds to a growing knowledge base that not only will help make stem cell therapies safer, but also provide us with new understandings about the cancer-causing process and more effective ways to fight the disease.

Cell biologists have been able to induce specialized, differentiated cells such as those obtained from the skin or muscle of adult humans to become iPSCs since 2007. Like embryonic stem cells, iPSCs are pluripotent, meaning they can become any type of cell and have the potential for being used in treatments for a variety of human diseases. This is a fundamentally new type of clinical care known as regenerative medicine.

The production of iPSCs avoids the controversy that surrounds embryonic stem cells (ES), making them particularly important. They can also be taken from a patients own skin and induced to produce other needed tissues, making the chances of immunologic rejection extremely low, eliminating the need to take immunosuppressive drugs.

Earlier studies indicate that both ES and iPSCs pose some health risks. There is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests pluripotency may be related to rapid cellular growth, which is a characteristic of cancer. Both types of stem cells are well known by scientists to have the propensity to cause teratomas, a benign tumor that consists of many different cell types. This new study from UC Davis demonstrates that iPSCs as well as ES cells share significant similarities to malignant cancer cells.

The research team compares iPSCs to a form of malignant cancer known as oncogenic foci that are also produced in laboratories. These are used by scientists to create models of cancer, particularly sarcoma. The scientists contrasted the different cells transcriptomes, comprised of the RNA molecules or transcripts. Transcriptomes reflect only the genes that are actively expressed at a given time and therefore provide a picture of actual cellular activity, unlike DNA analysis, which reflects a cells entire genetic code whether or not the genes are active.

By analyzing the transcriptomes, the team found that the iPSCs and malignant sarcoma cancer cells are unexpectedly similar. Genes not expressed in iPSCs are also not expressed in the cancer-generating cells, including many that have properties that guide a cell to normally differentiate in certain directions. Both cell types also exhibited similar metabolic activities. This is another indication that they are related cell types.

We were surprised how similar iPSCS were to cancer-generating cells, said Knoepfler. Our findings indicate that the search for therapeutic applications of iPSCs must proceed with considerable caution if we are to do our best to promote patient safety.

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Researchers Find Similarities Between Cancer Cells And Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) September 30, 2012

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, beta-pancreatic islets cells, and even neural cells. MSCs are of intense therapeutic interest because they represent a population of cells with the potential to treat a wide range of acute and degenerative diseases and are immuno-privileged, which makes them an advantageous cell type for allogenic transplantation.

In the market research report Mesenchymal Stem Cells Advances & Applications, trend analysis of grant activity, publications, and patent applications reveals that global research activity involving MSCs increased by 112% from 2009 to 2010, and by 116% from 2010 to 2011. This rate accelerated throughout 2011, positioning mesenchymal stem cells as the fastest growing area of stem cell research for 2012.

While competitors are guessing, this report divulges exactly where to focus R&D and marketing spend to create the most profitable MSC research products. A key element of this report is survey findings from a large population of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) researchers that reveals:

It is also important for bio-pharmaceutical and pharma companies interested in MSC therapy applications to understand underlying market forces, and in particular, to consider progressive areas of MSC research as opportunistic areas for drug and therapy development. The report presents a range of topics of interest to these companies as well, including how advances in MSC research can reveal potential new drug targets, improve methods of drug delivery, and provide personalized treatment strategies.

Highlights include:

It was compiled using a broad range of sources, including:

To summarize, the market intelligence report Mesenchymal Stem Cells Advances & Applications identifies recent advances in MSC research applications, explores research priorities by market segment, highlights individual labs and end-users of MSC research products, explores the competitive environment for MSC research products, and provides 5-year growth and trend analysis. It is your guide for how to profit from the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product market the fastest growing area of stem cell research.

Buy your copy of the report @ http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/10598-mesenchymal-stem-cells-advances-applications.html.

Explore more reports on the Stem Cell Market and Biotechnology Industry.

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Product Market Fastest Growing Area of Stem Cell Research

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a leader in adult allogeneic stem cell manufacturing, research and development, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its application for an Investigational New Drug (IND) to assess the safety, tolerability and clinical effects of Stemedyne-MSC (Stemedica's human bone marrow-derived ischemia tolerant mesenchymal cells) in subjects with cutaneous photoaging resulting from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Curt M. Littler, M.D., F.A.A.D., dermatologist at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, Inc., is the principal investigator of the study. Dr. Littler commented, "This study is an important step forward in the field of dermatology. Photoaging is a universal condition. Damage from the sun's rays alters the skin's underlying structures, such as collagen, elastin, and blood vessels, and contributes to the creation of abnormal epidermal cells, which can become precancerous. By administering stem cells systemically, this study has the potential to target skin damage throughout the body and promises to pave the way for new treatment approaches for photoaged skin."

The IND approval allows Stemedica to initiate a clinical trial at medical centers within the United States. The clinical trial will be a Phase I/IIa multi-center open-label study involving 30-35 subjects with significant cutaneous photodamage.

"The FDA's approval of Stemedica's IND for the treatment of photoaging with our Stemedyne-MSCs is a significant milestone not only for Stemedica, but for the whole skin healthcare industry," said Nikolai Tankovich, M.D., Ph.D., Stemedica's President and Chief Medical Officer. "This is the first clinical trial approved for the systemic treatment of aging skin utilizing intravenous administration of stem cells. " Dr. Tankovich added "Our internal organ health is reflected in the appearance of our skin. In this clinical trial, we will be following systemic indicators such as liver panel and kidney function. We are encouraged that the FDA acknowledges cutaneous photoaging as a medical indication and that potential treatments should be regulated as a drug."

Lev Verkh, Ph.D., Stemedica's Chief Regulatory and Clinical Development Officer, commented, "With photoaging, we lose certain proteins that affect the health and appearance of our skin. For the first time in a clinical trial we can address the underlying biological changes of the skin to slow down this process and repair the changes of aging."

Stemedyne-MSC is one of the three adult allogeneic adult stem cell products developed by the Company. Other products include Stemedyne-NSC neural human stem cells and Stemedyne-RPE retinal progenitor epithelial cells available in early 2013. All Stemedica products are unique in their ability to tolerate ischemic conditions.

About Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. is a specialty bio-pharmaceutical company that is committed to the manufacturing and development of best-in-class allogeneic adult stem cells and stem cell factors for use by approved research institutions and hospitals for pre-clinical and clinical (human) trials. The company is a government licensed manufacturer of clinical grade stem cells and is approved by the FDA for its clinical trial for ischemic stroke. Stemedica is currently developing regulatory pathways for a number of medical indications using adult allogeneic stem cells. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.

For more information regarding Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., contact Dave McGuigan at dmcguigan (at) Stemedica.com.

This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/Stemedica-FDA-IND/stemedyne-photoaging/prweb9954537.htm

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FDA Approves Stemedica IND Application for Stemedyne(TM)-MSC In Cutaneous Photoaging

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 27, 2012) - International Stem Cell Corporation ( OTCQB : ISCO ) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company"), a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic and research products, today announced that Executive Vice President, Dr. Simon Craw will attend and present at the SeeThru Equity Fall Smallcap and Microcap Conference on October 2, 2012 at the Cornell Club in midtown Manhattan, NY.

SeeThru Equity Fall Smallcap and Microcap Conference Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Time: 8:30 am EDT Location: The Cornell Club in midtown Manhattan, NY

Please contact the conference organizers if you have an interest in attending the conference or if you would like to arrange a meeting with International Stem Cell's management team. You may also contact Mark McPartland with MZ Group via email markmcp@mzgroup.us or phone 1-212-301-7130 to arrange a meeting with management.

You may register for the conference by clicking SeeThruEquity Fall Conference Attendee Registration or visting the SeeThru Equity website http://www.seethruequity.com

Additional information of the investor presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Company's website http://www.internationalstemcell.com. A video replay webcast will be available for viewing approximately 24hours after the company presentation.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs) hence avoiding ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial backgrounds with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

To receive ongoing corporate communications via email, visit: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0

To like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for company updates and industry related news, visit: http://www.facebook.com/InternationalStemCellCorporation and http://www.twitter.com/intlstemcell

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International Stem Cell Corp to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conference

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Celprogen Inc., a leader in the Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics industry for the development of stem cell technologies for regenerative medicine, today announced that they obtained a Patent for Treating Lactose Intolerance Utilizing Genetically Engineered Bacteria US8,236,297B2. Acquired lactase deficiency is the most common disorder of complex carbohydrate absorption throughout the world, affecting 75% of world population. In the United States 15% of Caucasians, over 50% of Hispanics and over 80% of African-Americans suffer from lactose intolerance.

The present invention relates to genetically engineered bacteria that are able to colonize the mammalian intestine and actively produce mammalian lactase. This lactose-digesting enzyme is stable and active under the conditions normally found in the mammalian small intestine. Experimental subjects colonized with the genetically engineered bacteria show improved ability to digest lactose in dairy foods.

About Celprogen Inc.

Celprogen Inc. is a global Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics company which is developing a proprietary portfolio of unique therapeutics products and life science research tools that includes genetic engineering technologies, stem cell technologies for regenerative medicine, as well as bio-engineering products for tissue & organ transplants. Headquartered in San Pedro, California, Celprogen is committed to the research, development, and manufacture of quality Stem Cell, Cancer Stem Cell and Primary Cell Culture products to serve our global community. Additional information about Celprogen is available at http://www.celprogen.com.

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Celprogen Obtained US Patent (US8,236,297B2) Method of Treating Lactose Intolerance Utilizing Genetically Engineered ...

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Deborah K. Lieu, a stem cell scientist in cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis Health System, has received a $1.3 million research grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to develop stem cells that could serve as a biological alternative to the electronic pacemakers that people now use to regulate heart rhythm.

According to Lieu, each year 350,000 cardiology patients with abnormal heart rhythms receive electronic pacemakers to maintain a normal heart beat. The devices, while effective, have several disadvantages, including limited battery life and poor response to changing heart rates, such as when a person is exercising. Lieu, who is working with colleague Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, the Roger Tatarian Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UC Davis, plans to examine ways to improve the generation of pacemaking cells using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), potentially creating what she calls a "biopacemaker."

"There are more than 3 million patients around the country who are dependent on electronic pacemakers," said Lieu. "Each one costs about $58,000 to implant and requires follow-up surgery about every 5 to 10 years to change batteries. Creating a biopacemaker from stem cells would avoid the burden of battery replacement and provide the physiological benefit of enabling a person's heart to naturally adapt to a rising heart rate during activities such as exercise."

Lieu's grant was among more than two dozen projects that received support from state stem cell agency's governing board last week as part of CIRM's Basic Biology awards program. The funding focuses on basic research projects that can provide a better understanding about the fundamental mechanisms of stem cell biology and move researchers closer to knowing how best to use stem cells to help patients.

To create the pacemaking cells, Lieu and her colleagues plan to manipulate an ion channel (the SK channels in cardiac myocytes) to alter the calcium signaling mechanisms during hiPSC differentiation. Stem cell scientists create hiPSCs - typically from an adult cell such as a skin cell - by inducing a "forced" expression of specific genes. Once reprogrammed, the cells take on a variety of capabilities (becoming pluripotent) and offer a range of stem cell treatment possibilities.

Development of a biopacemaker could also benefit the one-in-20,000 infants and premature babies suffering from congenital heart-rhythm dysfunction who currently are not suitable candidates for electronic pacemakers. Infants are physically too small for the device. A biological pacemaker could fit with their small stature and then grow as the infant grows.

Collaborating with Lieu and Chiamvimonvat on the research project will be Jan Nolta, director of the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures; Donald Bers, chair of the UC Davis Department of Pharmacology; and James Chan, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and affiliated with the NSF Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology at UC Davis.

UC Davis is playing a leading role in regenerative medicine, with nearly 150 scientists working on a variety of stem cell-related research projects at campus locations in both Davis and Sacramento. The UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, a facility supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), opened in 2010 on the Sacramento campus. This $62 million facility is the university's hub for stem cell science. It includes Northern California's largest academic Good Manufacturing Practice laboratory, with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacturing rooms for cellular and gene therapies. UC Davis also has a Translational Human Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Research Facility in Davis and a collaborative partnership with the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. All of the programs and facilities complement the university's Clinical and Translational Science Center, and focus on turning stem cells into cures. For more information, visit http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/stemcellresearch.

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Pacemaker from Stem Cells Receives Research Funding

By Karen Rogers - September 21, 2012 | Tickers: BAX, NBS, OSIR | 0 Comments

Karen is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Stem cell research puts immortality in our hands. By medically treating stem cells to repair damaged organs, one could, in theory, live forever. The following three stem cell research companies are achingly close to perfecting techniques that will repair and strengthen damaged human hearts.

Osiris Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OSIR) Prochymal is the only drug thats been granted fast track status and Orphan Drug status by the FDA. Already in Phase III clinical evaluations, Prochymal repairs heart tissue damaged by a heart attack and it is also under evaluation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Osiris biologic drugs utilize either human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or stem cells taken from adult bone marrow to avoid the ethical controversy surrounding embryonic or fetal stem cell research usage. MSC are taken directly from the donors human bone marrow and one single donation can produce up to 10,000 treatments. Osiris has designed their treatment to be universally accepted by all recipients to eliminate rejection problems. This treatment can be frozen and kept at end-user medical facilities until it is needed.

Osiris has a market cap of $312.25 million and a P/E ratio of 93.14, which far exceeds the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. The stock is up 77.57% over the past 52 weeks, and closed at $9.50 this past Friday. Osiris has cash of $38.75 million, zero debt, and operating cash flow of -$17.47 million. The company reports $27.92 million in revenue, and net income of $3.53 million for this year. Analysts following Osiris rate it a strong buy/buy.

Neostem (NYSEMKT: NBS) is developing AMR-1000, a stem cell therapy designed to rebuild heart tissue damaged after a heart attack that has also shown promise in treating congestive heart failure. For the first time, a U.S. patent has been issued to Neostem for their Compositions and Methods of Vascular Injury Repair, to protect the treatment and the delivery method.

The company offers consumers the opportunity to store their own stem cells for future treatment. During a four-hour collection process, adult stem cells are harvested from the circulating blood. Fifty-percent of the stem cells are stored in immune reconstitution bags to be used for stem cell treatable cancers or immune system transplants. The remaining cells are stored in separate containers for future use as new stem cell treatments are developed.

Neostem has a market cap of $106.32 million and a P/E ratio of -1.64%. The stock is up 9.38% over the past 52 weeks, and closed at $0.69 this past Friday. Neostem has cash of $2.12 million, debt of $3.75 million, and operating cash of -$8.51 million. The company has earned revenue of $77.20 million and net income of -$42.64 million this year. Of the 3 analysts following Neostem, 2 rate it a strong buy and 1 rates it as buy.

Earlier this year, Baxter Internationals (NYSE: BAX) CD34+ entered Phase III trials, a stem cell treatment designed to strengthen the heart by increasing exercise capacity and reducing angina attacks due to chronic myocardial ischemia. This autologous stem cell therapy harvests the cells from the donors bone marrow, and everything but the stem cells is returned to the donor.

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Immortality and 3 Stem Cell Research Stocks

Newswise September 21, 2012 (BRONX, NY) The promise of stem cells seems limitless. If they can be coaxed into rebuilding organs, repairing damaged spinal cords and restoring ravaged immune systems, these malleable cells would revolutionize medical treatment. But stem cell research is still in its infancy, as scientists seek to better understand the role of these cells in normal human development and disease.

On Friday, September 14, the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University offered the Einstein community and invited guests an opportunity to hear from leading stem cell scientists investigating the dynamic field. The 2012 Einstein Stem Cell Institute Symposium featured speakers from around the globe presenting the latest research on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), cell reprogramming, as well as cancer and hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells.

This symposium was an important milestone for stem cell research at Einstein and confirms our intent to contribute to advances in stem cell biology, said the events host and organizer, Paul Frenette, M.D., director and chair of Einsteins Stem Cell Institute and professor of medicine and of cell biology.

There has been a lot of hype in the past few years about the promise of stem cell research and some concerns that perhaps it was oversold to the public, said Dr. Frenette. The symposiums speakers nicely illustrated the tremendous progress that has been made thus far and showed how outstanding research is helping us to realize the full potential of stem cells.

The afternoon event included four presentations: George Q. Daley, M.D., Ph.D., discussed Lin28 in Stem Cells and Disease. Dr. Daley is the Samuel E. Lux IV Professor of Hematology/Oncology and director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Boston Childrens Hospital; professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology, of medicine, and of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School; and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Kathrin Plath, Ph.D., gave a talk on the Mechanisms of Reprogramming of Pluripotency. Dr. Plath is associate professor of biological chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeless David Geffen School of Medicine.

Toshio Suda, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell differentiation at the Graduate School of Medicine, Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, presented Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Hypoxic Niches.

Andreas Trumpp, Ph.D., professor and head of the division of stem cells and cancer, and managing director of the Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine in Heidleberg, Germany, discussed Circulating Metastasis-initiating Cells in Breast Cancer.

Dr. Frenette closed the event by thanking the speakers and the 100 attendees in the Ethel and Samuel J. LeFrak Auditorium, as well as additional attendees viewing the proceedings from overflow rooms in Einsteins Michael F. Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine/Harold and Muriel Block Research Pavilion.

We hope this symposium will foster collaborations between Einstein faculty members and leaders in the field, and embolden our developing program toward new heights of research excellence, said Dr. Frenette.

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Einstein Hosts Its First Stem Cell Institute Symposium