Genetically engineered neural stem cells approved for stroke trial

ReNeuron has just received permission to launch a clinical trial for stroke patients using neural stem cells. About a dozen patients will receive the cells at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. An article in the Financial Times chronicles the path to obtain regulatory permission to launch the trial in the UK. An article in NatureNews describes how the cells, derived originally from aborted fetuses, have been genetically engineered with an inducible gene to control cells’ growth. The prospect of transplanting genetically engineered cells worried advisors to the FDA’s panel on starting clinical trials with embryonic stem cells last year, though Geron is still pressing ahead on this front.

Tags: stem cells, stroke, fda

Embryoid Bodies approximate true embryos

- Clusters of mouse embryonic stem cells called embryoid bodies more closely approximate true embryos in organization and structure than previously thought, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Harnessing the signals that influence the cells' fate may help researchers more accurately direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells for use in therapy. 
The researchers found
that embryoid bodies have hallmarks of gastrulation -- a remarkable developmental step that launches a hollow ball of cells toward becoming an organism with three distinct types of precursor cells. The scientists showed that this process is initiated by a single signaling pathway in embryoid bodies and in real embryos. Enhancing or blocking this signal affects what the cells become, the scientists found. 

http://www.pr-inside.com/stanford-research-sheds-light-on-key-r903395.htm

Tags: Embryoid Bodies

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First Steps for Stem Cell Use

Many people hoped those products would be therapies, essentially stem cells grown into replacement cells that could be transplanted to replace cells or tissue destroyed by disease.

While that hope has not died, scientists are learning it remains distant. Science must overcome several issues, such as immune-system rejection of transplanted cells or the risk of the cells creating tumors, said Joseph Wu, of Stanford University's School of Medicine.

Tags: stem cells, therapy

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Michigan's Prop 2 passes, biology enters the twenty-first century in the state.

The proposal to loosen restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research in Michigan passed early this morning as election results trickled in from across the state. The initiative was up 52%-48%, with 87% of precincts reporting, mirroring an exit poll conducted for the Free Press and other media outlets. The vote was 2,143,101 in favor to 1,945,035 against.
Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to allow Michigan researchers to use embryos left over from fertility treatments to create embryonic stem-cell lines for disease research. It is currently prohibited to destroy an embryo for "nontherapeutic" purposes, and is illegal to donate an embryo to science.

Michigan has great research universities that were previously hamstrung by the repressive law in the state.  That situation is now altered.  To the more conservative voters of Michigan, --there will be more chances to review this decision but the discussion need to continue from the basis of more experience.  We will find out what embryonic stem cells mean to humanity.  Now, Michigan will be a more meaningful participant in the discussion.

Tags: ESC, Stem Cells, Prop 2, Michigan, Proposal 2

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Saddleback Forum Video & Transcript: Obama / McCain with Rick Warren « Kingdom People

Obama seems to have a limiting view on ESC research

 

Saddleback Forum Video & Transcript: Obama / McCain with Rick Warren « Kingdom People

 

Technorati Tags: Stem cells,Saddleback Church,Obama

Ovarian cancer stem cells identified, characterized

This is another indication of stem cell involvement with cancer 

“Present chemotherapy modalities eliminate the bulk of the tumor cells, but cannot eliminate a core of these cancer stem cells that have a high capacity for renewal,” said Mor, who is also a member of the Yale Cancer Center. “Identification of these cells, as we have done here, is the first step in the development of therapeutic modalities.”

Mor and colleagues isolated cells from 80 human samples of either peritoneal fluid or solid tumors. The cancer stem cells that were identified were positive for traditional cancer stem cell markers including CD44 and MyD88. These cells also showed a high capacity for repair and self-renewal.

The isolated cells formed tumors 100 percent of the time. Within those tumors, 10 percent of the cells were positive for cancer stem cell marker CD44, while 90 percent were CD44 negative.

Mor and his team were able to isolate and clone the ovarian cancer stem cells. They found that these cells were highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy while the non-cancer stem cells responded to treatment. “Isolating and cloning these cells will lead to development of new treatments to target and eliminate the cancer stem cells and hopefully prevent recurrence,” said Mor.

Ovarian cancer stem cells identified, characterized

Technorati Tags: Ovarian Cancer

BBC NEWS | Health | UK's first hybrid embryos created

 

Scientists at Newcastle University have created part-human, part-animal hybrid embryos for the first time in the UK, the BBC can reveal.

The embryos survived for up to three days and are part of medical research into a range of illnesses.

It comes a month before MPs are to debate the future of such research.

The Catholic Church describes it as "monstrous". But medical bodies and patient groups say such research is vital for our understanding of disease.

They argue that the work could pave the way for new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Egg shortages

Under the microscope the round bundles of cells look like any other three-day-old embryos.

In fact they are hybrids - part-human, part-animal.

BBC NEWS | Health | UK's first hybrid embryos created

 

Technorati Tags: chimera,hybrid embryos