Another boost for stem cell researchNovember 16, 2006In the wake of the Senate's decision to pass the human embryo cloning legislation, another Australian research breakthrough is likely to strengthen the case for embryonic stem cell research. University of New South Wales (UNSW) academics have proven that tumours can be prevented from forming when embryonic stem cells are transplanted. "Whilst embryonic stem cells have great potential to deliver therapies for disorders, such as diabetes, a fear has been that they will form tumours because of the presence of undifferentiated cells," said UNSW Professor Bernie Tuch of the Diabetes Transplant Unit, who led the team responsible for the discovery. "The passing of the legislation in the Senate last night is extremely encouraging," said Professor Tuch. "Our breakthrough removes what could have been a stumbling block to this vital research." The team has shown that placing the embryonic cells inside microcapsules made from a product of seaweed, called alginate, prevents the formation of tumours when the encapsulated cells are transplanted into laboratory animals. The team has also shown that the encapsulation process does not stop the embryonic cells from differentiating. The data describing the experiments has been published in the North American journal Transplantation, the official journal of the international Transplantation Society. The team used both human and mouse embryonic stem cells to perform their experiments. The human embryonic stem cells were supplied by a member of the team, Chief Hospital Scientist, Dr Kuldip Sidhu, who earlier this year reported producing clones from these stem cells. The other authors on the paper were Sophia Dean, Yulyana Yulyana and Georgia Williams. About microencapsulation: The platform technology of microencapsulation is the same as that which the Diabetes Transplant Unit is using to transplant insulin-producing cells isolated from donor humans into insulin-dependent diabetic people, without using anti-rejection drugs. This Seaweed Diabetes Pilot Trial, which involves 6 people with diabetes, commenced in February this year and is expected to be completed within the next 18 months. University of New South Wales |
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| Related Stem Cell Current Events and Stem Cell News Articles First reconstitution of an epidermis from human embryonic stem cells Stem cell research is making great strides. This is yet again illustrated by a study carried out by the I-STEM* Institute (I-STEM/ Inserm UEVE U861/AFM), published in the Lancet on 21 November 2009. The I-STEM team, directed by Marc Peschanski has just succeeded in recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells. Your Own Stem Cells Can Treat Heart Disease The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. The transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells. U of M researchers find 2 units of umbilical cord blood reduce risk of leukemia recurrence A new study from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota shows that patients who have acute leukemia and are transplanted with two units of umbilical cord blood (UCB) have significantly reduced risk of the disease returning. Researchers find potential treatment for Huntington's disease Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham), the University of British Columbia's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics and the University of California, San Diego have found that normal synaptic activity in nerve cells (the electrical activity in the brain that allows nerve cells to communicate with one another) protects the brain from the misfolded proteins associated with Huntington's disease. Researchers 'notch' a victory toward new kind of cancer drug Scientists have devised an innovative way to disarm a key protein considered to be "undruggable," meaning that all previous efforts to develop a drug against it have failed. UCI embryonic stem cell therapy restores walking ability in rats with neck injuries The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries - a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage. First use of antibody and stem cell transplantation to successfully treat advanced leukemia For the first time, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have reported the use of a radiolabeled antibody to deliver targeted doses of radiation, followed by a stem cell transplant, to successfully treat a group of leukemia and pre-leukemia patients for whom there previously had been no other curative treatment options. Immune therapy can protect against or treat later lymphoma Specially developed immune system cells that target the common Epstein-Barr virus can protect immune-suppressed bone marrow transplant recipients against lymph system disease and cancers that arise from the viral infection. Immunotherapy demonstrates long-term success in treating lymphoma Targeted immunotherapy has been an attractive new therapeutic area for a number of cancers because it has the potential to destroy tumor cells without damaging surrounding normal tissue. New study results demonstrate high success rates using specialized white blood cells to prevent or treat lymphoma associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-lymphoma) in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Of mice and men: Stem cells and ethical uncertainties The recent creation of live mice from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) not only represents a remarkable scientific achievement, but also raises important issues, according to bioethicists at The Johns Hopkins University's Berman Institute of Bioethics. More Stem Cell Current Events and Stem Cell News Articles |
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