Category Archives: Diseases

ScienceDaily (Apr. 25, 2012) The University of Michigan's second human embryonic stem cell line has just been placed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health's registry, making the cells available for federally-funded research. It is the second of the stem cell lines derived at U-M to be placed on the registry.

The line, known as UM11-1PGD, was derived from a cluster of about 30 cells removed from a donated five-day-old embryo roughly the size of the period at the end of this sentence. That embryo was created for reproductive purposes, tested and found to be affected with a genetic disorder, deemed not suitable for implantation, and would therefore have otherwise been discarded when it was donated in 2011.

It carries the gene defect responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary neurological disorder characterized by a slowly progressive degeneration of the muscles in the foot, lower leg and hand. CMT, as it is known, is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, affecting one in 2,500 people in the United States. People with CMT usually begin to experience symptoms in adolescence or early adulthood.

The embryo used to create the cell line was never frozen, but rather was transported from another IVF laboratory in the state of Michigan to the U-M in a special container. This may mean that these stem cells will have unique characteristics and utilities in understanding CMT disease progression or screening therapies in comparison to other human embryonic stem cells.

"We are proud to provide this cell line to the scientific community, in hopes that it may aid the search for new treatments and even a cure for CMT," says Gary Smith, Ph.D., who derived the line and also is co-director of the U-M Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies, part of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute. "Once again, the acceptance of these cells to the registry demonstrates our attention to details of proper oversight, consenting, and following of NIH guidelines."

U-M is one of only four institutions -- including two other universities and one private company -- to have disease-specific stem cell lines listed in the national registry. U-M has several other disease-specific hESC lines submitted to NIH and awaiting approval, says Smith, who is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. The first line, a genetically normal one, was accepted to the registry in February.

"Stem cell lines that carry genetic traits linked to specific diseases are a model system to investigate what causes these diseases and come up with treatments," says Sue O'Shea, Ph.D., professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the U-M Medical School, and co-director of the Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies.

Each line is the culmination of years of preparation and cooperation between U-M and Genesis Genetics, a Michigan-based genetic diagnostic company. This work was made possible by Michigan voters' November 2008 approval of a state constitutional amendment permitting scientists to derive embryonic stem cell lines using surplus embryos from fertility clinics or embryos with genetic abnormalities and not suitable for implantation.

The amendment also made possible an unusual collaboration that has blossomed between the University of Michigan and molecular research scientists at Genesis Genetics, a company that has grown in only eight years to become the leading global provider of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) testing. PGD is a testing method used to identify days-old embryos carrying the genetic mutations responsible for serious inherited diseases. During a PGD test, a single cell is removed from an eight-celled embryo. The other seven cells continue to multiply and on the fifth day form a cluster of roughly 100 cells known as a blastocyst.

Genesis Genetics performs nearly 7,500 PGD tests annually. Under the arrangement between the company and U-M, patients with embryos that test positive for a genetic disease now have the option of donating those embryos to U-M if they have decided not to use them for reproductive purposes and the embryos would otherwise be discarded.

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New embryonic stem cell line will aid research on nerve condition

Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

By Sen McCrthaigh

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ireland is seriously lagging behind most other countries in offering live-saving treatments provided by the use of adult stem cells, a leading international medical expert has warned.

Colin McGuckin called on the Government and health authorities to facilitate the wider collection and storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood in Ireland.

Prof McGuckin who is advisor to the Vatican on stem cells and a director of the Cell Therapy Research Institute in Lyon, France is director of the Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Ireland, which was formally launched yesterday.

"Treatments which are available in other countries must come to Ireland," said Mr McGuckin. He also expressed fears the lack of stem cell therapies here could force people to seek unregulated care abroad.

Presently, none of Irelands three main maternity hospitals allow for the collection of adult stem cells from umbilical cords except in high-risk cases.

The only facility which allows the practice is Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin. All adult stem cells collected are sent abroad for storage.

Mr McGuckin said adult stem cells could be used in the treatment of over 70 diseases including leukaemia and heart disease. Advances are also being made in their use for neurological diseases such as Alzheimers.

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Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

Friday, 20 April 2012 00:00

It is that time of year again. The temperatures are warm, the flowers are blooming, the grass is green and Hadassahs 6th Annual Walkathon for Stem Cell Research is here. Come out, experience springtime, get some exercise and make a difference, all at the same time.

Hadassahs Walkathon for Stem Cell Research is on Sunday, May 6 at Temple Israel on Old Mill Road (rain or shine). Registration will begin at 9:45 a.m. and the walk will officially start at 10 a.m.

You can help bring awareness to this important cause by participating in this community event. All ages are welcome as we walk two miles, to show our support for stem cell research. Runners are welcome to run the extended four or six-mile course as well. There will be snacks, t-shirts and fun for all.

Not only are we encouraging families to participate, we are encouraging students of all ages to get involved by helping to organize, publicize, and raise funds for the event and of course, by walking for stem cell research. Join us and play a role in turning research into cures worldwide. We are making strides to stamp out many dreaded diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes, ALS, cancer, spinal cord injuries, macular degeneration, and traumatic brain injuries.

Hadassah is in the forefront of stem cell research and continues to bring hope to millions of suffering patients with life-changing diseases. A whole new area of regenerative medicine is on the brink of discovery. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 50. Hadassah researchers successfully treated and prevented retinal deterioration by transplanting visual cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in animals with retinal degeneration.

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common form of neurological disabilities in young people. Hadassah scientists were first to demonstrate that transplanted neural cells derived from human embryonic stem cells can reduce clinical symptoms in animals with a form of MS.

Hadassah neurologists conducted the first clinical trial treating MS and ALS patients by injecting their spinal columns with adult stem cells taken from their own hipbone marrow. This reduces the chance of immune system rejection, and avoids the complex ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cell usage.

For more information on Hadassahs Walkathon for Stem Cell Research, to make a donation or to register for the walk, please follow the link: http://www.hadassah.org/nassau/ stemcellwalkathon or call 766-2725. The suggested minimum donation to participate is $20/individual or $36/family.

More:
Great Neck Hadassah’s Walkathon For Stem Cell Research On May 6

A new stem cell has been discovered in the adult brain by a team of researchers that includes a scientist recently recruited by Van Andel Institute.

Scientists hope the finding will help them find ways to repair injuries and heal diseases of the brain, said Dr. Patrik Brundin, who leads Parkinsons research at the VAI. Ultimately, they hope it will lead to new treatments for strokes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons.

In the study published this week, the researchers analyzed brain tissue from biopsies and found, for the first time, stem cells around small blood vessels in the brain. Although its function is unclear, scientists are excited about its potential.

A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue, Brundin said.

In October, Brundin became the first person to hold the Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at VAI. He also is head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, stem cells have been shown to help heal and repair injuries. With the brain stem cells, researchers say the next step is to try to control and enhance the cells self-healing properties.

Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile, said Gesine Paul-Visse, a Lund University researcher and the primary author of the study. Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features.

The study was published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Email Sue Thoms at sthoms1@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/suethoms

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Van Andel Institute researcher helps discover new stem cell in adult brain

ScienceDaily (Apr. 20, 2012) esearchers at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new stem cell in the adult brain. These cells can proliferate and form several different cell types -- most importantly, they can form new brain cells. Scientists hope to take advantage of the finding to develop methods to heal and repair disease and injury in the brain.

Analyzing brain tissue from biopsies, the researchers for the first time found stem cells located around small blood vessels in the brain. The cell's specific function is still unclear, but its plastic properties suggest great potential.

"A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), Head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, researchers have shown clear evidence that these types of cells contribute to repair and wound healing. Scientists suggest that the curative properties may also apply to the brain. The next step is to try to control and enhance stem cell self-healing properties with the aim of carrying out targeted therapies to a specific area of the brain.

"Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile," said Gesine Paul-Visse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lund University and the study's primary author. "Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features."

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, is of interest to a broad spectrum of brain research. Future possible therapeutic targets range from neurodegenerative diseases to stroke.

"We hope that our findings may lead to a new and better understanding of the brain's own repair mechanisms," said Dr. Paul-Visse. "Ultimately the goal is to strengthen these mechanisms and develop new treatments that can repair the diseased brain."

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New stem cell found in brain: Finding could be key to developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease

Public release date: 19-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tim Hawkins Tim.Hawkins@vai.org 616-234-5519 Van Andel Research Institute

Grand Rapids, Mich. (April 19, 2012 ) Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new stem cell in the adult brain. These cells can proliferate and form several different cell types - most importantly, they can form new brain cells. Scientists hope to take advantage of the finding to develop methods to heal and repair disease and injury in the brain.

Analyzing brain tissue from biopsies, the researchers for the first time found stem cells located around small blood vessels in the brain. The cell's specific function is still unclear, but its plastic properties suggest great potential.

"A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), Head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, researchers have shown clear evidence that these types of cells contribute to repair and wound healing. Scientists suggest that the curative properties may also apply to the brain. The next step is to try to control and enhance stem cell self-healing properties with the aim of carrying out targeted therapies to a specific area of the brain.

"Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile," said Gesine Paul-Visse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lund University and the study's primary author. "Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features."

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, is of interest to a broad spectrum of brain research. Future possible therapeutic targets range from neurodegenerative diseases to stroke.

"We hope that our findings may lead to a new and better understanding of the brain's own repair mechanisms," said Dr. Paul-Visse. "Ultimately the goal is to strengthen these mechanisms and develop new treatments that can repair the diseased brain."

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New stem cell found in the brain