Posted: April 27, 2013 at 9:43 pm
The amazing trick that turns stem cells into cartilage!
http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment The tough job that stem cells have in treating arthritis. Hyaline cartilage- the tough cartilage that caps the ends of...
By: Nathan Wei
Excerpt from:
The amazing trick that turns stem cells into cartilage! - Video
Posted: April 27, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Biology Project - Stem Cell Research
By: John Vislisel
Originally posted here:
Biology Project - Stem Cell Research - Video
Posted: April 27, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Posted: April 27, 2013 at 9:43 am
THURSDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- A hormone that could lead to more effective diabetes treatment has been identified by researchers.
The hormone, called betatrophin, causes mice to produce insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells at up to 30 times the normal rate. But it only produces insulin when the body needs it, according to the team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
The researchers said their findings offer the potential for the natural regulation of insulin and a significant reduction in diabetes-related complications such as blindness and limb amputation.
The study is published in the April 25 online edition of the journal Cell and in its May 9 print issue.
Although the hormone shows promise in lab mice, much more work is needed before it could be considered as a treatment for diabetes in humans, the researchers noted. Results obtained in animal experiments often aren't attainable in trials with humans.
"If this could be used in people, it could eventually mean that instead of taking insulin injections three times a day, you might take an injection of this hormone once a week or once a month, or in the best case maybe even once a year," Doug Melton, co-director of the institute and co-chair of Harvard University's department of stem cell and regenerative biology, said in a university news release.
About 26 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, which causes people to slowly lose beta cells and the ability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin.
"Our idea here is relatively simple," Melton said. "We would provide this hormone, the type 2 diabetic will make more of their own insulin-producing cells, and this will slow down, if not stop, the progression of their diabetes. I've never seen any treatment that causes such an enormous leap in beta cell replication."
Along with its potential for treating type 2 diabetes, betatrophin might also have a role in treating type 1 diabetes, Melton said.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is associated with being overweight and sedentary, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs most often in children and young adults.
Go here to see the original:
Hormone Shows Potential as Diabetes Treatment in Mice
Posted: April 27, 2013 at 9:42 am
MS Stem Cell Therapy - Part 1
Over the last decade a Canadian team has been working on a ground breaking stem cell therapy their research has yet to be published, but the patients who hav...
By: GlobalToronto
Read more:
MS Stem Cell Therapy - Part 1 - Video
Posted: April 26, 2013 at 4:54 pm
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/0HfVYv0XVQg/california-stem-cell-agency-seeks.html
Posted: April 26, 2013 at 11:46 am
Vote YES to research / Why is stem cell research so important ?
By: canalcal
Follow this link:
Vote YES to research / Why is stem cell research so important ? - Video
Posted: April 25, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Richard Lerner and his team at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, have discovered an antibody that can change stem cells (taken from bone marrow) into brain cells.
According to USNews.com, stem cells from bone marrow usually turn into white blood cells, but when a certain antibody was injected, the stem cells turned into neural cells, which are found in the brain and spine.
The researchers discovered the method accidentally, according to a report published in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Lerner and his team were originally trying to find an antibody that would stimulate the growth of stem cells, but also found one that created neural cells.
According to Lerner, the antibody could be injected directly into the bloodstream of a sick patient, find its way to the bone marrow and change some bone marrow stem cells into neural progenitor cells, reported ScienceDaily.com.
"Those neural progenitors would infiltrate the brain, find areas of damage and help repair them," said Lerner.
"There's been a lot of research activity where people would like to repair brain and spinal cord injuries. With this method, you can go to a person's own stem cells and turn them into brain cells that can repair nerve injuries."
"We're going to collaborate with people who are trying to regenerate nerves in the eye," added Lerner. "We will team up with a couple people strong in that area of research."
Sources: USNews.com and ScienceDaily.com
Read the original post:
Scientists Change Stem Cells Into Brain Cells
Posted: April 25, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Stems cells taken from just a few grams of body fat are a promising weapon against the crippling effects of osteoarthritis.
For the past two decades, knee, hip or other joint replacements have been the standard treatment for the deterioration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. But artificial joints only last about 15 years and are difficult to repair once they fail.
Stem cell injections may offer a new type of therapy by either stopping the degenerative process or by regenerating the damaged cartilage, said pioneering researcher Dr. Farshid Guilak, a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of orthopedic research at Duke University.
Guilak, one of the first researchers to grow cartilage from fat, explains why stem cells are a bright light in osteoarthritis research and why widespread clinical use is still years away. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
Q: How are stem cell injections purported to help?
A: Several studies in animals show that stem cell injections may help by reducing the inflammation in the joint. Stem cells appear to have a natural capacity to produce anti-inflammatory molecules, and once injected in the joint, can slow down the degenerative process in osteoarthritis.
(Since this interview, research published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine has found that stem cells may also be an effective way to deliver therapeutic proteins for pain relief related to rheumatoid arthritis.)
Q: Does the bulk of research look at how stem cells heal traumatic injuries, or does it look at degenerative conditions such as arthritis?
A: Nearly all previous studies on stem cell therapies in joints have focused on trying to repair small "focal" damage to the cartilage. Only a few recent studies have begun to examine the possibility for treating the whole joint, either to grow enough cartilage to resurface the entire joint or to use stem cells to prevent further degeneration.
Q: Meaning one day, entire joint surfaces such as hips and knees could be grown in a lab?
More here:
Dr. Farshid Guilak: Can stem cells help those with arthritis?
Posted: April 25, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Free Webinar on the Use of Regenerative Medicine to Treat Orthopedic Injuries in Dogs
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) April 25, 2013
In this free, 40-minute webinar, Dr. Canapp discusses the recent progress in the use of regenerative medicine to treat orthopedic injuries in dogs and also identifies areas where further research is needed. Designed for both lay and scientific audiences, Dr. Canapp explains the different types of therapy that fall under the category of regenerative medicine, while presenting the stories of three canine clients whose lives were drastically improved through this exciting and innovative treatment.
Regenerative medicine has extraordinary potential to change the way we treat both acute injury and chronic disease in dogs. Early evidence shows these techniques have real promise in helping canine patients recover from injury. Our job as a foundation is to fund research that will provide owners and veterinarians with solid evidence-based medicine, said Dr. Shila Nordone, CHF Chief Scientific Officer. We are pleased to partner with Dr. Canapp to share the emerging technology available to dog lovers throughout the world, and we look forward to a long-term research partnership with Dr. Canapp and collaborators to firmly establish best practices with regenerative medicine technology.
For the two week period following the release of the webinar, CHF will be compiling viewer questions which will be answered by Dr. Canapp and posted to the website.
In 2012, CHF established the Canine Athlete Initiative (CAI) which focuses on the health needs of active dogs. The CAI fund provides grants for cutting-edge research into orthopedic concerns, proper nutrition and conditioning to achieve maximum performance while preventing injury, and innovative rehabilitation techniques. Through the CAI, the foundation also educates the public on the joys of participating in canine athletic events, as well as the value of preventive examinations and optimal nutrition to keep all dogs at the top of their game.
Dr. Canapp completed a combined DVM and Masters of Clinical Science in Surgery at Kansas State University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and is certified in Canine Rehabilitation, stem cell therapy and tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy or TPLO surgery. To date, he has performed more than 2000 TPLO procedures to stabilize the stifle joint after ruptures of the cranial cruciate ligament. Dr. Canapp has been named a charter Diplomate in the newly recognized American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR).
CHF HealthE-Barks webinars are released several times each year and feature key opinion leaders in various fields of canine health. To download the free webinar Regenerative Medicine for Canine Orthopedic Conditions, visit http://www.akcchf.org/webinars, or to make a donation to support this and other canine health research, visit http://www.akcchf.org/donate.
CHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research to prevent, treat and cure canine disease. Like CHF on Facebook, follow CHF on Twitter @CanineHealthFnd, or connect with CHF on LinkedIn.
# # #
Link:
AKC Canine Health Foundation Releases Webinar on Regenerative Medicine Therapy in Dogs
