stem cell banking | Knowing More About Cord Blood Banking
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com The umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells as the baby #39;s organs, tissues and body is developed by it. Diseases that are genetically based would most likely be an allogenic transplant. Human umbilical cord blood cells are very rich in stem cells and progenitor cells which make them the perfect place to take cells from and then store them in a cord blood bank or a stem cells bank. There is also another option given by non-profit cord blood banks, of free programs through which one can store umbilical cord blood stem cell samples. A man can change his god-gifted features wishfully with the help of science. Given the progress that stem cell research and regenerative medicine have attained at present, and the promise that they show for the future, stem cell transplants may one day provide a cure for type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and brain injury, among other potentially life threatening and debilitating illnesses and conditions with inadequate treatment options today. One study in particular by Wagner, et al. ""The theory exists that any reduction in the volume of umbilical cord blood units in albumin or dextran prior to transfusing into patients leads to better cell viability. The mother will be informed about the status of the blood unit and the test results so that she is aware of any infection or disease that might affect her baby. Many parents see placental and cord blood banking as valuable tools to help them secure potentially ...From:fivespanishViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:18More inScience Technology

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cryocell | Why Store Your Cord Blood In a Bank?
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com A large number of people die waiting for a transplant due to this reason. Before any blood donations are made it is important for a pregnant mother interested to make the donation to contact the bank before the thirty fourth week of her pregnancy. However, private banking is generally not recommended unless there is a family history of specific genetic diseases. It contains stem cells that have been found to be excellent for research and treatment of many diseases. A man can change his god-gifted features wishfully with the help of science. Given the progress that stem cell research and regenerative medicine have attained at present, and the promise that they show for the future, stem cell transplants may one day provide a cure for type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and brain injury, among other potentially life threatening and debilitating illnesses and conditions with inadequate treatment options today. One study in particular by Wagner, et al. ""Settling on a name for your newborn is definitely something all parents spend time doing, but one decision that is rarely thought of or overlooked is saving your newborn #39;s cord blood. The mother will be informed about the status of the blood unit and the test results so that she is aware of any infection or disease that might affect her baby. Many parents see placental and cord blood banking as valuable tools to help them secure potentially lifesaving treatment options their families may some day ...From:loshoteles enmedellinViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:18More inScience Technology

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cryocell | Why Store Your Cord Blood In a Bank? - Video

California's historic Proposition 71 provided big money for stem-cell research after voters approved it eight years ago. The measure helped fund major advances, but some charge that the success has been hampered by cronyism and conflict of interest.

Roman Reed has been a paraplegic for more than eighteen years. Ever since a college football injury injured his spine. Reed says he's confident he will walk again.

"Stem cells are going to get me out of this chair. I will walk again one day because of stem cell research," said Reed.

He campaigned hard for Prop 71 eight years ago. Voters believed stem cells might help find cures for paralysis, heart disease, diabetes and more.

The proposition won and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine or CIRM received $3 billion from taxpayers. The bond money was intended to find stem cell cures.

Some are starting to question whether they have found any.

"We do not have any cures, nor did we expect to have any cures within the time frame that we've funded so far," said CIRM's Chairman Jonathon Thomas.

They have spent $1.7 billion dollars to date. The money has been used to build a dozen new laboratories. It has also funded 1200 papers on 38 incurable diseases and lured 150 top scientists to California.

CIRM is backing seven clinical trials, but the FDA has not approved even one stem-cell therapy procedure. Six months ago, U.S. doctors got the green light to use a Canadian treatment for dying children.

Director of Stem Cell Program at UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures Jan Nolta believes it is a great advancement in medicine.

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Some critics impatient over slow stem-cell research payoff

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 7, 2012) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a life sciences company developing stem cell-related technologies, today announced the signing of an agreement with University Health Network ("UHN"), through its commercialization agent MaRS Innovation ("MI"), both of Toronto. The agreement provides Stem Cell Therapeutics ("SCT") with an option to an exclusive world-wide license to an innovative cancer stem cell program.

Based on Dr. Aaron Schimmer's award-winning research, the technology has provided compelling evidence that tigecycline, an FDA-approved antibiotic, is able to selectively target leukemia cells and leukemic stem cells by shutting down their energy supply through the inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis.

Dr. Schimmer, Associate Professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Medical Biophysics and a clinician-scientist in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/Ontario Cancer Institute at University Health Network, published his findings in 2011 in the journal Cancer Cell. Based on this discovery, Dr. Schimmer received the 2012 Till & McCulloch Award presented each year by the Stem Cell Network to recognize the year's most influential peer-reviewed article by a researcher in Canada.

"In recent years Dr. Schimmer has had a widely-recognized rise to become one of Canada's premier clinician-scientists," commented David Allan, Executive Chairman of SCT. "He is following in the steps and traditions of other world-renowned Canadian stem cell researchers such as Drs. Ernest McCulloch, James Till and John Dick. We are fortunate to be the commercial partner on what we believe will be an exciting journey to new cancer stem cell-specific products. Repositioning a safe and well-tolerated antibiotic as a cancer therapeutic is an attractive business proposition for SCT, particularly when it is backed by strong science, sufficient differentiation from the original product, and strong intellectual property protecting the new utility, as we find in this opportunity."

A Phase I multicenter dose-escalation tigecycline trial in patients with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia ("AML") is currently ongoing at Princess Margret Cancer Centre (UHN), University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Kansas. In addition to addressing safety and tolerability, this trial will also provide important human proof-of-concept data. Biomarkers indicative of on-target effects and inhibition of mitochondrial translation are being assessed at each dose level. Enrolment is proceeding well in this open label, 28-patient trial. Dosing is estimated to be completed in the first half of 2013. SCT projects that a Phase Ib/IIa combination trial can commence in early 2014 provided the necessary funding is secured.

"This opportunity, emerging from Dr. Schimmer's research, targets an unmet medical need in leukemia therapy and is a compelling example of MaRS Innovation's critical role in bridging the technology gap for promising early-stage assets from our members through translational funding and strategic guidance," said Dr. Raphael Hofstein, president and CEO of MaRS Innovation. "We are pleased to have collaborated with UHN and partner with Stem Cell Therapeutics on this exciting project."

SCT has been granted an option by UHN under which, and prior to April 30, 2013,SCT may conclude the exclusive license provided SCT has secured additional financing sufficient to support its product development operations. The worldwide, exclusive license agreement will contain customary provisions regarding an initial license consideration, milestones, royalties on sales and sublicensing terms.

In parallel with its clinical program, SCT plans to devote additional resources to amplify the preclinical R&D program to unlock the potential of tigecycline and its derivatives. The mitochondrial-targeting mechanism-of-action (MOA) could provide an opportunity for synergy with other cancer therapies, thereby expanding tigecycline's use from AML into other types of malignancies.

Dr. Christopher Paige, Vice President, Research at UHN, stated "We are very pleased to have created this partnership with the emerging Canadian biotechnology company, Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. This is an excellent example of how research hospitals such as the UHN can work with MaRS Innovation and receptor companies to translate cutting-edge Canadian research discoveries into the prospect for important benefits to patients."

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Stem Cell Therapeutics Announces Agreement With University Health Network and MaRS Innovation for Novel, Clinical ...

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2012) - Stem cell stocks have been gaining popularity among investors in 2012 as new and promising research continues to propel the industry forward. A study performed earlier this year at Johns Hopkins University has shown that stem cells from patients' own cardiac tissue can be used to heal scarred tissue after a heart attack. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ : ASTM ) and Neostem Inc. ( NYSE : NBS ).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/ASTM

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/NBS

A more recent study, also conducted at Johns Hopkins University, has showed that stem cells donated by strangers were as safe and as effective as the patient's own cells in repairing heart tissue. This is a key advancement for the treatment of heart attack with stem cells, as this possibly means stem cells could be stored for use just as blood is now.

"You could have the cells ready to go in the blood bank so when the patient comes in for a therapy -- there's no delay," said Dr. Joshua Hare of the University of Miami. "It's also cheaper to make the donor cells," as marrow from a single donor could provide enough cells for the treatment of up to 10 people.

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the Biotechnology Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.FiveStarEquities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

Aastrom Biosciences is a leader in the development of patient-specific multicellular therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases. Stem cell therapy is the infusion, injection or transplantation of whole cells into a patient for the treatment of a disease or condition.

NeoStem is a provider of adult stem cell collection, processing and storage services in the United States, enabling healthy individuals to donate and store their stem cells for personal therapeutic use. In addition, the company collects and stores cord blood cells of newborns which help to ensure a supply of autologous stem cells for the child should they be needed for future medical treatment.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

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Promising Stem Cell Research Driving Industry's Growth in 2012

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2012) - Stem cell stocks have been gaining popularity among investors in 2012 as new and promising research continues to propel the industry forward. A study performed earlier this year at Johns Hopkins University has shown that stem cells from patients' own cardiac tissue can be used to heal scarred tissue after a heart attack. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on StemCells, Inc. ( NASDAQ : STEM ) and Neuralstem, Inc. ( NYSE : CUR ).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/STEM

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/CUR

A more recent study, also conducted at Johns Hopkins University, has showed that stem cells donated by strangers were as safe and as effective as the patient's own cells in repairing heart tissue. This is a key advancement for the treatment of heart attack with stem cells, as this possibly means stem cells could be stored for use just as blood is now.

"You could have the cells ready to go in the blood bank so when the patient comes in for a therapy -- there's no delay," said Dr. Joshua Hare of the University of Miami. "It's also cheaper to make the donor cells," as marrow from a single donor could provide enough cells for the treatment of up to 10 people.

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the Biotechnology Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.FiveStarEquities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

StemCells is applying its scientific and industry leadership in stem cell biology to discover, develop and commercialize breakthrough therapeutics and enabling tools and technologies for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The company in October launched four new SC Proven human neural stem cell (NSC) kits for use in neuroscience research.

Different regions of the brain and spinal cord house different, specialized cells. Neuralstem's technology enables the isolation and expansion of human neural stem cells from each of these regions of the developing central nervous system (CNS) in virtually unlimited numbers from a single donated tissue.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

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Stem Cell Research Continues to Make Major Breakthroughs in 2012

(MENAFN - Arab News) American cardiologist and researcher Dr. Yerem Yeghiazarians is currently on a visit to the Kingdom to gauge interest in the establishment of a stem-cell research facility here.

Leading Saudi businessmen Hamad and Khalid Al-Zamil are interested in advancing the research initiative and invited Yeghiazarians to meet business leaders, arranged lectures and toured him around various hospitals to garner support for his pioneering project.

Dr. Yeghiazarians believes stem cell treatment may be the only hope for thousands of people worldwide who suffer from heart problems. Dr. Yeghiazarians speaks to Arab News journalist Siraj Wahab on the latest developments in the field.

Dr. Yeghiazarians, welcome to Saudi Arabia. Is this your first visit? Please tell us more about yourself and your medical background. Yes, this is my first time in Saudi Arabia. It is truly an honor being in the Kingdom. I am a cardiologist. I also do interventional cardiology, meaning I do procedures in patients who have blockages in their arteries or who have heart attacks. I did my training mostly in the United States. My medical school training was at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Maryland. After that I spent eight years at Harvard Medical School at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, one of their main teaching hospitals. It is one of the most respected training institutions in the country, if not the best. I finished my internal medicine training there and decided to do cardiology training. When I completed my clinical training in cardiology, I was asked to go back and take a chief residency for the whole Brigham and Women's Hospital internal medicine residency program. I was the chief resident in charge of training 170 trainees in internal medicine that year. I finished my training for interventional cardiology and did my research at Harvard and in 2003 was recruited to the University of California, which is a world-renowned medical and research institution. I was doing interventional cardiology and started a cardiac stem cell program.

What was the level of interest in 2003 to stem cell research and what exactly is it? Back in 2003, it was a very new research endeavor. The basic idea of our research is to use stem cells to improve heart function after a heart attack. What tends to happen to patients who suffer from a heart attack is because of the lack of blood flow and the blockage that develops in the heart artery, the heart muscle becomes damaged and scarred. The heart, unlike the other organs in the body, doesn't have enough capacity to regenerate itself. Once you have a heart attack that muscle is damaged. It is replaced by scar tissue. Over time the heart loses its pumping capacity and is unable to pump blood out of the heart to rest of the body. It is like pouring water into a balloon. The balloon gets bigger and loses its pumping capacity. Blood or fluid builds up in the lungs and leads to congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy. It is the number one killer in the developed world and results from risk factors such as diabetes, smoking or high blood pressure.

How do you treat congestive heart failure? Over the last 20 to 30 years, a lot of effort has been made to develop medications to improve heart function after a heart attack. None of the therapy we have is adequate to help all our patients. Some make progress but they need mechanical devices like heart pumps. Sometimes even that fails. The only way is to do a heart transplant. But even in the United States we do less than 3,000 heart transplants a year. Thousands of patients need advanced therapy. Unfortunately, none of the drugs today can replace heart scar tissue with a beating, functional muscle cell. The only hope we have is to use stem cells to regenerate the scar tissue and replace it with a heart muscle cell and improve heart function. This will eliminate the need for mechanical intervention or a heart transplant. Heart transplants are very rare and in many parts of the world it is impossible for patients to have them.

How far are we into stem cell research? There are different types of stem cells we can use for treating ailments. There are adult stem cells and there are embryonic stem cells. There is a new development called induced pluripotent stem cells, otherwise known as IPS cells. This was an amazing discovery. Last month the Nobel Prize in Medicine went to the two people who discovered it. The scientists took a skin cell and genetically manipulated it and make this cell into a stem cell or a younger cell. We all come from a young cell. This discovery meant we can turn the clock back to an immature cell from which different types of cells can be created, enabling us to treat all conditions in the future. It is still early days but there is a lot of promise. We have come a long way using adult stem cells in ongoing clinical trials, which appear to show a lot of promise. In the future the hope is to use these cells to replace the scar tissue with a viable heart muscle cell.

Do you intend to establish a research facility in Saudi Arabia? From my understanding there is not much research going on in this field here or in the region. So it is an honor for me to come here and introduce the research we are doing at the University of California and to extend our knowledge to the folks here in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia specifically. The idea is to garner interest and to see if people are interested in collaborating with us in starting a similar project here. We are very hopeful that in the future we can collaborate to advance the research we have for the treatment of heart patients.

What kind of laboratory do you have in California? We do basic research that involves growing cells at my laboratory. We also have small-animal models and large-animal models whereby we can study them before we introduce them to patients. It would be fantastic if we could set up a similar research program here. I am trying to monitor the interest among people here. I need to know what facilities are currently available and find out how we can introduce larger facilities to the region advance the research collaboratively.

What is the cost to set up a similar one here? It is hard to put a figure on it. It depends on how big a program people here would be interested in. We are talking about millions of dollars. I will give you an example. At the University of California about two or three years ago, we created a whole new building specifically to study stem cells and that cost about 200 million. We have more than 20 investigators who study stem cells for different disease conditions, not just the heart but for other conditions too. Stem cells could some day potentially be used for patients following a stroke and for patients with diabetes, kidney disease and liver failure. There are endless possibilities." This is the time to invest in it, to put a program together, because it is not that we are going to discover it over the next year or two. This is going to help our future generation, our medical students, create novel treatment for all kinds of diseases.

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Stem cell research facility considered for Saudi Arabia