StemCell Therapy

ScienceDaily (July 23, 2012) Stem cells hold great promise for the medicine of the future, but they can also be a cause of disease. When these self-renewing, unspecialized cells fail to differentiate into diverse cell types, they can start dividing uncontrollably, leading to cancer. Already several decades ago, Weizmann Institute scientists were among the first to demonstrate the link between cancer and the faulty differentiation of stem cells. Now a new Weizmann Institute-led study, published in Molecular Cell, reveals a potential molecular mechanism behind this link.

The scientists managed to uncover the details of a step in the process of DNA "repackaging" that takes place during embryonic stem cell differentiation. It turns out that for the cells to differentiate properly, certain pieces of the packaging of their DNA must be labeled by a molecular tag called ubiquitin. Such tagging is required for turning on a group of particularly long genes, which enable the stem cell to differentiate. The researchers identified two switches: An enzyme called RNF20 enhances the tagging, whereas a second enzyme, USP44, does the opposite, shutting it down. Furthermore, it appears that both these switches must operate properly for the differentiation process to proceed efficiently. When the scientists interfered with the tagging -- either by disabling the "ON" switch RNF20, or by deregulating the activity of the "OFF" switch USP44 -- the stem cells failed to differentiate.

These experiments might explain the significance of molecular defects identified in a number of cancers, for example, the abnormally low levels of RNF20 in certain breast and prostate cancers and the excess of USP44 in certain leukemias. Notably, faulty differentiation of stem cells is often a hallmark of the more aggressive forms of cancer. This research was led by Prof. Moshe Oren of the Molecular Cell Biology Department, with Prof. Eytan Domany of the Physics of Complex Systems Department and Dr. Jacob Hanna of the Molecular Genetics Department. The team included Weizmann Institute's Gilad Fuchs, Efrat Shema, Rita Vesterman, Eran Kotler, Sylvia Wilder, Lior Golomb, Ariel Pribluda and Ester Feldmesser, as well as Zohar Wolchinsky of the Technion -- Israel Institute of Technology; Feng Zhang and Xiaochun Yu of the University of Michigan in the US; Mahmood Haj-Yahya and Ashraf Brik of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; and Daniel Aberdam of the Technion and the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis in France.

This study belongs to a relatively new direction in cancer research: Rather than focusing on the genes involved, it highlights the role of epigenetics -- that is, processes that do not modify the gene code, itself, but affect the way its information is interpreted within the cell. Understanding the epigenetic roots of cancer will advance the search for effective therapies for this disease.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Weizmann Institute of Science.

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More here:
Judging DNA by its cover: Explaining the link between stem cells and cancer

Public release date: 23-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Yivsam Azgad news@weizmann.ac.il 972-893-43856 Weizmann Institute of Science

Stem cells hold great promise for the medicine of the future, but they can also be a cause of disease. When these self-renewing, unspecialized cells fail to differentiate into diverse cell types, they can start dividing uncontrollably, leading to cancer. Already several decades ago, Weizmann Institute scientists were among the first to demonstrate the link between cancer and the faulty differentiation of stem cells. Now a new Weizmann Institute-led study, published in Molecular Cell, reveals a potential molecular mechanism behind this link.

The scientists managed to uncover the details of a step in the process of DNA "repackaging" that takes place during embryonic stem cell differentiation. It turns out that for the cells to differentiate properly, certain pieces of the packaging of their DNA must be labeled by a molecular tag called ubiquitin. Such tagging is required for turning on a group of particularly long genes, which enable the stem cell to differentiate. The researchers identified two switches: An enzyme called RNF20 enhances the tagging, whereas a second enzyme, USP44, does the opposite, shutting it down. Furthermore, it appears that both these switches must operate properly for the differentiation process to proceed efficiently. When the scientists interfered with the tagging either by disabling the "ON" switch RNF20, or by deregulating the activity of the "OFF" switch USP44 the stem cells failed to differentiate.

These experiments might explain the significance of molecular defects identified in a number of cancers, for example, the abnormally low levels of RNF20 in certain breast and prostate cancers and the excess of USP44 in certain leukemias. Notably, faulty differentiation of stem cells is often a hallmark of the more aggressive forms of cancer. This research was led by Prof. Moshe Oren of the Molecular Cell Biology Department, with Prof. Eytan Domany of the Physics of Complex Systems Department and Dr. Jacob Hanna of the Molecular Genetics Department. The team included Weizmann Institute's Gilad Fuchs, Efrat Shema, Rita Vesterman, Eran Kotler, Sylvia Wilder, Lior Golomb, Ariel Pribluda and Ester Feldmesser, as well as Zohar Wolchinsky of the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Feng Zhang and Xiaochun Yu of the University of Michigan in the US, Mahmood Haj-Yahya and Ashraf Brik of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Daniel Aberdam of the Technion and the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis in France.

This study belongs to a relatively new direction in cancer research: Rather than focusing on the genes involved, it highlights the role of epigenetics that is, processes that do not modify the gene code, itself, but affect the way its information is interpreted within the cell. Understanding the epigenetic roots of cancer will advance the search for effective therapies for this disease.

###

Prof. Eytan Domany's research is supported by the Kahn Family Research Center for Systems Biology of the Human Cell, which he heads; the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research - Weizmann Institute of Science Exchange Program; the Leir Charitable Foundations; and Mordechai Segal, Israel. Prof. Domany is the incumbent of the Henry J. Leir Professorial Chair.

Dr. Jacob Hanna's research is supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust; Pascal and Ilana Mantoux, France/Israel; the Sir Charles Clore Research Prize; Erica A. Drake and Robert Drake; and the European Research Council.

Prof. Moshe Oren's research is supported by the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation; the Robert Bosch Foundation; the estate of Harold Z. Novak; and the European Research Council. Prof. Oren is the incumbent of the Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology.

See the article here:
Judging DNA by its cover

MOBILE, Alabama -- Damaged and aged heart tissue of older heart failure patients was rejuvenated by stem cells modified by scientists, according to research presented today at the American Heart Associations Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2012 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

The study is simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The stem cell research could lead to new treatments for heart failure patients, researchers said.

Since patients with heart failure are normally elderly, their cardiac stem cells arent very healthy, said Sadia Mohsin, Ph.D., one of the study authors and a post-doctoral research scholar at San Diego State Universitys Heart Institute in San Diego.

We modified these biopsied stem cells and made them healthier. It is like turning back the clock so these cells can thrive again.

Modified human stem cells helped the signaling and structure of the heart cells, which were biopsied from elderly patients, according to information provided by the American Heart Association.

Researchers modified the stem cells in the laboratory with PIM-1, a protein that promotes cell survival and growth. Cells were rejuvenated when the modified stem cells enhanced activity of an enzyme called telomerase, which elongates telomere length.

Telomeres are caps on the ends of chromosomes that aid cell replication. Aging and disease results when telomeres break off.

There is no doubt that stem cells can be used to counter the aging process of cardiac cells caused by telomere degradation, Mohsin said in a statement.

The technique increased telomere length and activity, as well as increasing cardiac stem cell proliferation, all vital steps in combating heart failure, health officials have said.

While human cells were used, the research was limited to the laboratory. Researchers have tested the technique in mice and pigs and found that telomere lengthening leads to new heart tissue growth in about four weeks.

View original post here:
Stem cells used to rejuvenate damaged heart tissue, study shows

CLEARWATER, FL--(Marketwire -07/23/12)- Biostem U.S., Corporation, (HAIR) (HAIR) (Biostem, the Company), a fully reporting public company in the stem cell regenerative medicine sciences sector, enters into an agreement with Pizarro Hair Restoration Clinics to offer The Biostem Method of stem cell hair re-growth treatments.

Biostem U.S., Corporation announced today that it has entered into a contractual affiliate agreement with Dr. Marina Pizarro and her multi-location practice, Pizarro Hair Restoration Clinics http://www.DrPizarro.com. Additionally, Dr. Pizarro will serve as the Medical Director for the company.

Dr. Pizarro's Orlando, Florida office will serve as the national training center for future Biostem U.S. affiliates.

Dwight Brunoehler, Chief Executive Officer for Biostem, stated, "We have been seeking the right partner to become our first affiliate. We have also been seeking a qualified Medical Director as well as a first rate training facility to accommodate the many requests for affiliation that we have received nationwide from physicians wanting to offer our services to their clientele. The Company is extremely fortunate to have filled these multiple needs in one place. Dr. Pizarro's impeccable credentials and extensive experience rank her among the best in her field. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."

According to Dr. Pizarro, "I have been following the discovery and development of hair re-growth technology on the cellular level for some time. Biostem's unique approach using Platelet Rich Plasma along with other proven treatments has shown to be highly effective for many qualified male and female patients. I am excited to be able to offer this service to my patients, and to be on the ground floor of this growing industry."

Dr. Marina Pizarro holds the distinction of being the first female hair transplant physician in the industry and belongs to the elite group of surgeons who have performed over 30,000 hair transplant procedures in their careers. She received her Medical Degree from Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico in 1985. After completing her residency in Orlando, Dr. Pizarro worked with world renowned hair transplant surgeon Dr. Constantine Chambers building one of the largest hair restoration practices in history. After five years, and performing thousands of procedures around the world while lecturing at hair restoration conventions, Dr. Pizarro opened her first two facilities in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 specializing in hair transplantation for both men and women. She currently has three facilities in Florida with the addition of her clinic in Tampa. Dr. Pizarro is a member of The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

About Biostem U.S., Corporation:

Biostem U.S., Corporation (HAIR) is a fully reporting Nevada corporation with offices in Clearwater, Florida. Biostem U.S. is a technology licensing company with proprietary technology centered on providing hair re-growth using human stem cells. The company also intends to train and license selected physicians to provide Regenerative Cellular Therapy treatments to assist the body's natural approach to healing tendons, ligaments, joints and muscle injuries by using the patient's own stem cells. Biostem U.S. is seeking to expand its operations worldwide through licensing of its proprietary technology and acquisition of existing stem cell related facilities. The company's goal is to operate in the international biotech market, focusing on the rapidly growing regenerative medicine field, using ethically sourced adult stem cells to improve the quality and longevity of life for all mankind.

The company's Board of Directors is headed by Chairman, Scott Crutchfield, who also acts as Senior Vice President of World Wide Operations for Crocs, Inc. (CROX) and includes Crocs, Inc. original member, Steve Beck.

For further information on Biostem U.S., Corporation can be obtained through http://www.biostemus.com or by contacting Fox Communications Group at 310-974-6821.

Read more here:
Biostem U.S., Corporation Enters Into Medical Affiliate Agreement With Pizarro Hair Restoration Clinics

Public release date: 23-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dean Forbes dforbes@fhcrc.org 206-667-2896 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

SEATTLE Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have opened a clinical trial to test the theory that giving a patient a new immune system can cure severe cases of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Funded by an infrastructure grant from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the initial goal of the Crohn's Allogeneic Transplant Study (CATS) is to treat a small number of patients with treatment-resistant Crohn's disease by transplanting matched bone marrow cells from a sibling or unrelated donor. Such a bone marrow transplant replaces a diseased or abnormal immune system with a healthy one.

The idea of swapping out the immune system is based on evidence that Crohn's is related to an abnormal immune response to intestinal bacteria and a loss of immune tolerance. There is strong evidence that genetic abnormalities in the immune regulatory system are linked to the disease, according to CATS principal investigator George McDonald, M.D., a transplant researcher and gastroenterologist in the Hutchinson Center's Clinical Research Division.

Although the CATS clinical trial represents a new direction for bone marrow transplantation, the procedure has precedent. The Hutchinson Center, which pioneered bone marrow and hematopoietic cell transplantation to treat blood cancers, has used allogeneic transplants to cure patients who suffered from both leukemia and Crohn's, with subsequent disappearance of the signs and symptoms of Crohn's. Similar experiences have been reported from studies done in Germany.

While autologous stem cell transplants in which the patient's own hematopoietic cells are removed and then returned after high-dose chemotherapy is given to suppress the immune system have been used to treat Crohn's patients, the benefits have not always been permanent, probably because the risk genes for Crohn's are still present. "Autologous transplantation following chemotherapy beats the disease down but the Crohn's tends to come back," McDonald said.

More information about CATS can be found on the website http://www.cats-fhcrc.org, which includes a patient-eligibility questionnaire. In general, patients must be 18 to 60 years of age and have failed all existing conventional treatments but be healthy enough to undergo a bone marrow transplant. A matched donor of bone marrow must be found from either a sibling or an unrelated person who has volunteered to donate marrow. Private insurance must cover the cost of the transplant and related medical expenses.

Crohn's disease is usually discovered in adolescents and young adults but can occur from early childhood to older age. The incidence of Crohn's disease varies in different parts of the world with rates of four to nine persons per 100,000 people in North America. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, a leading advocacy organization, Crohn's may affect more than 700,000 Americans. Of those affected by Crohn's, about 10 percent suffer from the most severe form for which no treatment is completely effective.

Symptoms of Crohn's may include pain, fever, diarrhea and weight loss. Substantial progress has been made in medical treatment of Crohn's disease over the last 15 years. However, even with the best immunosuppressive therapy, less than half of patients with moderate to severe Crohn's achieve long-term relief. When patients stop taking their medicines, their intestinal inflammation returns. Some severe infections have been seen in patients who took prolonged courses of medicines that suppress the immune system.

Follow this link:
Clinical trial seeks to cure advanced Crohn's disease using bone marrow transplant

Study represents new use of bone marrow transplantation

Newswise SEATTLE Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have opened a clinical trial to test the theory that giving a patient a new immune system can cure severe cases of Crohns disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Funded by an infrastructure grant from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the initial goal of the Crohns Allogeneic Transplant Study (CATS) is to treat a small number of patients with treatment-resistant Crohns disease by transplanting matched bone marrow cells from a sibling or unrelated donor. Such a bone marrow transplant replaces a diseased or abnormal immune system with a healthy one.

The idea of swapping out the immune system is based on evidence that Crohns is related to an abnormal immune response to intestinal bacteria and a loss of immune tolerance. There is strong evidence that genetic abnormalities in the immune regulatory system are linked to the disease, according to CATS principal investigator George McDonald, M.D., a transplant researcher and gastroenterologist in the Hutchinson Centers Clinical Research Division.

Although the CATS clinical trial represents a new direction for bone marrow transplantation, the procedure has precedent. The Hutchinson Center, which pioneered bone marrow and hematopoietic cell transplantation to treat blood cancers, has used allogeneic transplants to cure patients who suffered from both leukemia and Crohns, with subsequent disappearance of the signs and symptoms of Crohns. Similar experiences have been reported from studies done in Germany.

While autologous stem cell transplants in which the patients own hematopoietic cells are removed and then returned after high-dose chemotherapy is given to suppress the immune system have been used to treat Crohns patients, the benefits have not always been permanent, probably because the risk genes for Crohns are still present. Autologous transplantation following chemotherapy beats the disease down but the Crohns tends to come back, McDonald said.

More information about CATS can be found on the website http://www.cats-fhcrc.org, which includes a patient-eligibility questionnaire. In general, patients must be 18 to 60 years of age and have failed all existing conventional treatments but be healthy enough to undergo a bone marrow transplant. A matched donor of bone marrow must be found from either a sibling or an unrelated person who has volunteered to donate marrow. Private insurance must cover the cost of the transplant and related medical expenses.

Crohns disease is usually discovered in adolescents and young adults but can occur from early childhood to older age. The incidence of Crohns disease varies in different parts of the world with rates of four to nine persons per 100,000 people in North America. According to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, a leading advocacy organization, Crohns may affect more than 700,000 Americans. Of those affected by Crohns, about 10 percent suffer from the most severe form for which no treatment is completely effective.

Symptoms of Crohns may include pain, fever, diarrhea and weight loss. Substantial progress has been made in medical treatment of Crohns disease over the last 15 years. However, even with the best immunosuppressive therapy, less than half of patients with moderate to severe Crohns achieve long-term relief. When patients stop taking their medicines, their intestinal inflammation returns. Some severe infections have been seen in patients who took prolonged courses of medicines that suppress the immune system.

The burden of this disease lays heavily on those who dont respond to any therapy, McDonald said.

Go here to read the rest:
New Clinical Trial Seeks to Cure Advanced Crohn's Disease by Replacing a Diseased Immune System with a Healthy One

2012-07-23 19:43

Tel Aviv - A clinical trial of ALS patients conducted by BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics shows its adult stem cell therapy is well-tolerated, appears to be safe and does not present undue risk, according to an interim safety review.

Moreover, in some patients signs of stabilisation of the disease were detected.

Israel-based BrainStorm is developing NurOwn for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

"It's very uncommon to give at such an early point in a clinical study efficacy data, but we cannot ignore the fact on an individual basis we could see improvement in many of the patients involved, each one in different areas," Moshe Neuman, CEO of Biomedical Research Design, which serves as a contract research organisation for the trial, said.

In some patients breathing improved, in others it was muscle strength and in others it was speech, he told Reuters.

Neuman said a final report was expected by the end of the year after each patient has been observed for nine months.

BrainStorm President Chaim Lebovits said the preliminary results demonstrate that the stem cells have the potential not only to stop deterioration but perhaps even cure ALS.

"The coming phases in the trial will have to prove this, but these results also reaffirm our belief that we have an enormous potential of being successful with less severe indications such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's," he said.

Patients in the trial were transplanted with stem cells derived from their own bone marrow and treated with the NurOwn stem cell technology.

Read more:
Israel ALS stem cell trials hopeful

New cells to replace those destroyed in diabetes type 1, cells to help heal a heart attack, cells to cure leukemia this is the promise of stem cells. Some of this is happening now; more will be available in a few years. Stem cells will usher in the era of regenerative medicine, allowing the creation of cells, tissues and organs to treat or cure diseases and injuries. This will be a fundamental alteration in our approach to medical care and a transformational medical megatrend. And it will be very personalized medicine to provide the specific individual with custom tailored new cells and tissues for organ repair or replacement. Extensive use of stem cells as therapy is still in its infancy. Call it infancy because there is so much basic science still to be understood, that it will be quite some years before we will see stem cells being used on any sort of regular basis to treat diabetes, Parkinsons disease, or heart failure after a heart attack. But time flies, many investigators are hard at work and the science may advance quickly. There are exceptions; stem cells are being actively used for a few situations and have been for many years. Among them are bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for diseases like leukemia, some cancers being treated with very high doses of chemotherapy or some individuals, especially children, with immune disorders. Since stem cells have the potential to be of ever increasing importance to medical care, albeit not for a few years, it is important to understand just what a stem cell is, generally how the various types of stem cells differ from each other and how they are either found in the body or produced in the laboratory. The key characteristics of stem cells are that 1) they can replicate themselves and 2) they can become mature cells that make up the tissue and organs of the body. Embryonic stem cells are found in the earliest divisions of the fertilized ovum and can become any of the bodys approximately 200 types of cells (liver, lung, brain) and they have the capacity when placed in tissue culture in the laboratory to divide and to replicate themselves indefinitely. We call them pluripotent in that they can become any of the various types of cells in the body. Think of them as the most fundamental cellular building block that can create the tissues and organs of our body. Adult stem cells, as the name implies, can be found in the bodies of adults (or newborns and children for that matter.) They also can self replicate but when placed in tissue culture it has not been possible to have them replicate indefinitely as embryonic stem cells do. Adult stem cells generally only can differentiate into one type of the bodys cells or tissue, i.e., are unipotent. For example muscle stem cells only become muscle cells but not liver cells. But some adult stem cells, such as those from the bone marrow, can become multiple but not all types of cells. Stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby are more like adult stem cells in that they can develop into some but apparently not all cells types. In effect, they are further along in the chain of differentiation.

There are also other types of stem cells that as of now are being produced in the laboratory and which have many of the attributes of embryonic stem cells nuclear transfer, induced pluripotent, and protein-induced pluripotent stem cells, among others. To create the nuclear transfer stem cell, an unfertilized egg is obtained from a womans ovary. The egg has its nucleus extracted by a micropipette and then has the nucleus of an adult cell inserted in its place. This nucleus might be obtained from a skin cell taken from the arm of a patient with a particular problem such as diabetes. The newly created cell is placed in culture and with the appropriate signals begins to act like an embryonic stem cell in that it will divide and replicate itself and with the appropriate signals the daughter cells can become various body cell types. The hope is that these cells, genetically identical to the patient who had the skin biopsy, could be grown up into a vast number of in this example pancreatic islet cells and used to treat this individual patients diabetes.

The induced pluripotent stem cell (or iPSC) also has many of the embryonic stem cells characteristics. It is produced by taking a persons cells such as from the skin of the arm and then stimulating them by inserting a few key genes, using a retrovirus. These genes reprogram the cell to revert to what is similar to an embryonic stem cell. The concern of course is that it is induced using a virus. More recent experiments have found that certain proteins can reprogram the cell just as can the virally-inserted genes. These stem cells are known as protein-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSC). Both are being evaluated to determine if they can be as effective as embryonic stem cells. With each of these three techniques, a clear hoped for advantage is that a person can donate his or her own cells for transformation into stem cells and from there into whatever cell is of interest, such as pancreatic islet cells that secrete insulin. Such cells transplanted back into the person would be recognized as self and not trigger rejection with a graft vs. host response by the body. This concept with each technique is therefore all about personalized medicine.

Next time I will delve more deeply into adult stem cells followed the next time by embryonic stem cells. But in the meanwhile think of stem cell science as one more of those truly transformative medical megatrends that will revolutionize the practice of medicine in the years to come and in the process improve the healthcare of you and your family.

Link:
Medical Megatrends — Stem Cells — Part I of III

Today, I posted this to Twitter:

3 Innovative Cancer Treatments...But Which Is The Best Bet? seekingalpha.com/a/fjed $GSK $IMUC $VSTM #cancerSC via @seekingalpha — Jim Till (@jimtill) July 17, 2012

The article is about three companies that are working on treatments designed to target cancer stem cells (CSCs). The companies are OncoMed, Verastem and ImmunoCellular Therapeutics. The article is interesting.

Source:
http://cancerstemcellnews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

If you are looking to follow the money
trail at the $3 billion California stem cell agency, next Thursday's meeting of its 29-member board of directors is a good place to start.

“It provides that grantees and
collaborators must share revenues resulting from CIRM funded research
as follows: after revenues exceed $500,000, three times the grant
award, paid at a rate of 3% per year, plus upon earning
$250M(million) in a single calendar year, a onetime payment of three
times the award, plus upon earning revenues of $500M in a single
calendar year, an additional onetime payment of three times the award
and, finally, in the instance where a patented CIRM funded invention
or CIRM funded technology contributed to the creation of net
commercial revenue greater than $500M in a single calendar year, and
where CIRM awarded $5 million or more, an additional 1% royalty on
revenues in excess of $500 million annually over the life of the
patents.”

"The proposed amendments re-strike
the balance both to ensure that industry will partner with CIRM and
to ensure that the State has the opportunity to benefit from
successful therapy development."

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Directors of the California stem cell
agency next Thursday are likely to approve spending $12.4 million to
lure a couple of stem cell stars to the Golden State.

“Major strengths include the
candidate's exceptional productivity and contributions to the fields
of mammalian embryology and kidney development, the significance and
potential of the research program, the PI's proven leadership
capabilities, and the outstanding institutional commitment.”

 The other grant was larger–$6.7
million–but reviewers raised a number of questions about the
candidate although they recommended it for funding. The review summary ranked the application at 57 and said,

“In summary, this is an application
from an established leader in NSC biology to pursue research focused
on disease mechanisms in PD. Strengths of the proposal include the
quality of the PI, the focus of the project on an interesting
hypothesis, and the leadership in basic science that the candidate
would bring to the applicant institution. Weaknesses included
deficiencies in the research plan, the limited track-record of the PI
in PD research and an institutional environment lacking adequate
support for basic science investigations.“

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Scientists at the University of
California at Davis are set to win nearly half of $113 million
expected to be awarded next week by the California stem cell agency
as it pushes aggressively to turn research into marketplace cures.

• Vicki Wheelock, UC Davis, $19 million,
  for development of a genetically modified cell therapy for
  Huntington's disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
  Scientific score 87.
• Antoni Ribas, UCLA, $20 million, for
  genetic reprogramming of cells to fight cancer. Scientific score 84.
• Nancy Lane, UC Davis, $20 million, for
  development of a small molecule to promote bone growth for the
  treatment of osteoporosis. Scientific score 80.
• John Laird, UC Davis, $14.2 million,
  for development of mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified for
  treatment of critical limb ischemia, which restricts blood flow in
  the lower leg and can lead to amputation. Scientific score 79.
• StemCells, Inc., (principal
  investigator not yet known), $20 million, for development of human
  neural stem cells to treat chronic cervical spinal cord injury. The
  company, founded by Stanford scientist Irv Weissman, who serves on
  its board, said earlier this year that it had filed two applications
  in this round, one of which dealt with cervical cord spinal injury.
  No other applicants filed a proposal for such research. Scientific score 79.
• Robert Robbins, Stanford, $20 million,
  development of a human embryonic stem cell treatment for end-stage
  heart failure. Scientific score 68.

In the case of businesses, the awards
come in the form of loans. Grants go to nonprofits. One of the
reasons behind the varying mechanisms is the difference in CIRM's
intellectual property rules for businesses and nonprofits.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Today, I posted this to Twitter:

3 Innovative Cancer Treatments...But Which Is The Best Bet? seekingalpha.com/a/fjed $GSK $IMUC $VSTM #cancerSC via @seekingalpha — Jim Till (@jimtill) July 17, 2012

The article is about three companies that are working on treatments designed to target cancer stem cells (CSCs). The companies are OncoMed, Verastem and ImmunoCellular Therapeutics. The article is interesting.

Source:
http://cancerstemcellnews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

If you are looking to follow the money
trail at the $3 billion California stem cell agency, next Thursday's meeting of its 29-member board of directors is a good place to start.

“It provides that grantees and
collaborators must share revenues resulting from CIRM funded research
as follows: after revenues exceed $500,000, three times the grant
award, paid at a rate of 3% per year, plus upon earning
$250M(million) in a single calendar year, a onetime payment of three
times the award, plus upon earning revenues of $500M in a single
calendar year, an additional onetime payment of three times the award
and, finally, in the instance where a patented CIRM funded invention
or CIRM funded technology contributed to the creation of net
commercial revenue greater than $500M in a single calendar year, and
where CIRM awarded $5 million or more, an additional 1% royalty on
revenues in excess of $500 million annually over the life of the
patents.”

"The proposed amendments re-strike
the balance both to ensure that industry will partner with CIRM and
to ensure that the State has the opportunity to benefit from
successful therapy development."

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Directors of the California stem cell
agency next Thursday are likely to approve spending $12.4 million to
lure a couple of stem cell stars to the Golden State.

“Major strengths include the
candidate's exceptional productivity and contributions to the fields
of mammalian embryology and kidney development, the significance and
potential of the research program, the PI's proven leadership
capabilities, and the outstanding institutional commitment.”

 The other grant was larger–$6.7
million–but reviewers raised a number of questions about the
candidate although they recommended it for funding. The review summary ranked the application at 57 and said,

“In summary, this is an application
from an established leader in NSC biology to pursue research focused
on disease mechanisms in PD. Strengths of the proposal include the
quality of the PI, the focus of the project on an interesting
hypothesis, and the leadership in basic science that the candidate
would bring to the applicant institution. Weaknesses included
deficiencies in the research plan, the limited track-record of the PI
in PD research and an institutional environment lacking adequate
support for basic science investigations.“

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Scientists at the University of
California at Davis are set to win nearly half of $113 million
expected to be awarded next week by the California stem cell agency
as it pushes aggressively to turn research into marketplace cures.

• Vicki Wheelock, UC Davis, $19 million,
  for development of a genetically modified cell therapy for
  Huntington's disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
  Scientific score 87.
• Antoni Ribas, UCLA, $20 million, for
  genetic reprogramming of cells to fight cancer. Scientific score 84.
• Nancy Lane, UC Davis, $20 million, for
  development of a small molecule to promote bone growth for the
  treatment of osteoporosis. Scientific score 80.
• John Laird, UC Davis, $14.2 million,
  for development of mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified for
  treatment of critical limb ischemia, which restricts blood flow in
  the lower leg and can lead to amputation. Scientific score 79.
• StemCells, Inc., (principal
  investigator not yet known), $20 million, for development of human
  neural stem cells to treat chronic cervical spinal cord injury. The
  company, founded by Stanford scientist Irv Weissman, who serves on
  its board, said earlier this year that it had filed two applications
  in this round, one of which dealt with cervical cord spinal injury.
  No other applicants filed a proposal for such research. Scientific score 79.
• Robert Robbins, Stanford, $20 million,
  development of a human embryonic stem cell treatment for end-stage
  heart failure. Scientific score 68.

In the case of businesses, the awards
come in the form of loans. Grants go to nonprofits. One of the
reasons behind the varying mechanisms is the difference in CIRM's
intellectual property rules for businesses and nonprofits.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Its fairly widely known that stem cells can mean life-saving treatments for deadly diseases.

Now, they are being used in the fight against wrinkles and more and more South Floridians are turning to the stem cell makeover.

Donna Pritchit is one of them. The 64-year-old headed into the operating room recently, wanting to turn back the hands of time without it being totally obvious.

I dont want someone to stop and go by and say Oh, she had a facelift. I want to have someone say Donna went on vacation she must be having a great life, she said before the $5,000 procedure began.

Dr. Sharon McQuillan at the Ageless Institute in Aventura marked the areas where she would take fat out of Pritchits belly and place it back into her face.

The retired teacher also hoped it would be her last step in getting rid of embarrassing acne scars.

I never wanted to go out in daylight and have anyone see me, she said.

More South Florida Health News

The outpatient procedure began with traditional liposuction, and then McQuillan and her team processed that fat and concentrated the stem cells so they could be injected into Pritchits wrinkles and in places where she has lost fullness.

Well, stem cells in general are the cells in your body that regenerate tissue and heal tissue, and they make the skin look beautiful and younger, McQuillan explained. And they also the fat to remain alive so that the volume that we create stays, which has been a problem with fat transfer in the past.

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More South Floridians Trying "Stem Cell Makeover"

Connie K. Ho for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

20,000,000. This is the number of peripheral artery disease patients Pluristem Therapeutics, a placenta-based cell therapy company, is working to assist. The company recently released information regarding the effectiveness of cell therapy with intramuscular delivery.

To begin, Pluristem uses stem cells from the human placenta and has created a manufacturing process that produces enough cells to treat 10,000 patients from one placenta.

You usually have to match cells to donors so they do not react. Placental cells are unique because they come from a unique section that combines the mother and the baby. They can be injected without no question age or sex, remarked Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem.

PLacental eXpanded, otherwise known as PLX, cells release a mix of therapeutic proteins to target local and systemic inflammatory diseases. The cells are developed with 3D micro-environmental technology that doesnt require tissue matching before administration. Unlike other cell therapies that are conducted with intravenous injections, the Pluristem treatment includes intramuscular injections that are injected with a needle into the muscle.

The cells are grown in 3D and not in human. With [this] technology we give them more natural place, grown in better way, produced in an efficient way to become an official product, stated Aberman.

Researchers believe that intravenous treatments will allow them to have a greater variety of possible outpatient settings and local clinics.

The ability for IM injections of PLX cells has significant market implications that potentially broaden the indications and frequency with which our cell therapy can be used. We look forward to conducting additional testing of this very promising approach, commented Aberman in a prepared statement.

The company recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin Phase II clinical trial for the PLX-PAD cells, which can treat a type of peripheral artery disease known as Intermittent Claudication (IC),which causes pain when walking.

One thing to mention about the study is it is the first time given to patients with other options, noted Aberman. Its important to mention as the FDA recognized that the safety profile of the PLX in phase one was good and promising enough to move to patients who are in less severe conditions.

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Pluristem Focuses On Therapeutic Cells Delivered Intramuscularly

ScienceDaily (July 20, 2012) To date, few fundamentals have been known about the most common gland in the body, the sweat glands that are essential to controlling body temperature, allowing humans to live in the worlds diverse climates. Now, in a tour de force, researchers at The Rockefeller University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified, in mice, the stem cell from which sweat glands initially develop as well as stem cells that regenerate adult sweat glands.

In their study, published in Cell, the scientists devised a strategy to purify and molecularly characterize the different kinds of stem cell populations that make up the complex sweat duct and glands of the skin. With this information in hand, they studied how these different populations of stem cells respond to normal tissue homeostasis and to different types of skin injuries, and how the sweat glands differ from their close cousins, the mammary glands.

No sweat. Researchers in Elaine Fuchs's lab identified four different types of paw-skin progenitor cells that are responsible for homeostasis and wound repair. This image shows that the sweat ductal and epidermal progenitors (in red) proliferate and repair an epidermal scratch wound; the sweat gland progenitors (in blue and green) show no signs of proliferation to this type of wound, but instead respond to deep glandular wounds. Mammary gland stem cells respond to hormonal induction by greatly expanding glandular tissue to increase milk production, explains Elaine Fuchs, Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor at Rockefeller and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In contrast, during a marathon race, sweat gland stem cells remain largely dormant, and glandular output rather than tissue expansion accounts for the 3 liters of sweat our body needs. These fascinating differences in stem cell activity and tissue production are likely at the root why breast cancers are so frequent, while sweat gland cancers are rare. Their findings might also help in the future to improve treatments for burn patients and to develop topical treatments for people who sweat too much, or too little.

For now, the study represents a baby step towards these clinical goals, but a giant leap forward in our understanding of sweat glands, says the studys lead author, Catherine P. Lu, a postdoctoral researcher in Fuchss Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development.

Each human has millions of sweat glands but they have rarely been extensively studied possibly due to the difficulty of gathering enough of the tiny organs to research in a lab, says Lu. The mouse is traditionally used as a model for human sweat gland studies, so in this project, Lu and colleagues laboriously extracted sweat glands from the tiny paw pads of mice the only place they are found in these and most other mammals.

The research team sought to discover whether the different cells that make up the sweat gland and duct contained stem (progenitor) cells, which can help repair damaged adult glands. We didnt know if sweat stem cells exist at all, and if they do, where they are and how they behave, she says. The last major studies on proliferative potential within sweat glands and sweat ducts were conducted in the early 1950s before modern biomedical techniques were used to understand fundamental bioscience.

Fuchs team determined that just before birth, the nascent sweat duct forms as a downgrowth from progenitor cells in the epidermis, the same master cells that at different body sites give rise to mammary glands, hair follicles and many other epithelial appendages. As each duct grows deeper into the skin, a sweat gland emerges from its base.

Lu then led the effort to look for stem cells in the adult sweat gland. The gland is made up of two layers -- an inner layer of luminal cells that produce the sweat and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells that squeeze the duct to discharge the sweat.

Lu devised a strategy to fluorescently tag and sort the different populations of ductal and glandular cells. The Fuchs team then injected each population of purified cells into different body areas of female host recipient mice to see what the cells would do.

Interestingly, when introduced into the mammary fat pads, the sweat gland myoepithelial cells generated fluorescent sweat gland-like structures. Each fluorescent gland had the proper polarized distribution of myoepithelial and luminal cells, and they also produced sodium potassium channel proteins that are normally expressed in adult sweat glands but not mammary glands, Lu says.

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Sweat glands grown from newly identified stem cells

(PRWEB) July 21, 2012

[Olez INCEPTION is the first hair straightening product line to take advantage of apple stem cells excellent strengthening and anti-aging properties.

Apple stem cells from a rare Swiss apple, called the Uttwiler Sptlauber, are rich in hydrogen, phytonutrients, antioxidants, proteins and age resistant cells. These apple stem cells are being utilized for the first time within a hair straightening product line. It makes perfect sense, since the stem cells have excellent strengthening and anti-aging properties that enhance the longevity of the hair follicles and protect the hairs own stem cells. Currently, apple stem cells are the most exciting breakthrough ingredient within the cosmetics industry.

Olez INCEPTION is the first professional hair system to incorporate the use of Apple Stem Cell technology along with the finest natural ingredients. Apple stem cells slow down the deterioration of hair follicles, allowing INCEPTIONs straight and shiny results to last for up to 6 months, something other straightening brands have not been able to achieve. Olez INCEPTION provides a unique Naturally Straight look; in contrast to the processed look other treatments offer.

Everything needed for beautiful and healthy hair and to create a wow! factor comes in Olez INCEPTIONs convenient 4 product kit: Cleansing and Nourishing Shampoo, Action Apple Stem Cell Solution, Sealer and Stem Cell Masque.

Leading industry lab faculty, Kosmo Science Laboratories, performed months of testing on the product. A stress test conducted on curly hair simulated the successful longevity of the treatment beyond 6 months.

Olez INCEPTIONs product line includes two home care products:

INCEPTION Stem Cell Masque utilizes stem cells from the rare Uttwiler Sptlauber apple as well as the finest of natural ingredients including Muru-Muru, Cupuau and Carite butters for incredibly sleek, silky, soft hair.

INCEPTION Argan & Pracaxi Natural Oil Spray comes in an eco friendly aerosol that dispenses the unique formula, a blend of Argan and Pracaxi natural oils. It hydrates and conditions, while protecting the hair with antioxidants. The Spray is also effective in combating the damaging effects of UV rays while maintaining silky, shiny, and smooth hair.

Salons have a unique opportunity to carry the Olez INCEPTION line, thereby providing a treatment to their clients that features breakthrough technology and provides significant profit potential.

Read more:
Can Apple Stem Cells Give Women Straight Hair?