Heart stem cell scientist to honor pioneering woman scientist in keynote speechApril 10, 2008Professor Christine Mummery, one of the world's leading heart stem cell experts, will later today (9 April) honour the memory of Dame Anne McLaren in the keynote lecture of the inaugural UK National Stem Cell Network Science Meeting in Edinburgh. Dr McLaren was an early pioneer of the study of embryonic germ cells and her research directly contributed to the development of IVF treatments and stem cell techniques. Prof Mummery from the Netherlands is a leading expert in the study of cardiomyocytes- the beating cells of the heart - most particularly those derived from stem cells. She will inform the delegates at the UKNSCN conference that Dr McLaren was a leading figure in guiding the stem cell research community in learning the language and ethics of working with early human embryos in research. She will say that the UK regulations, which have allowed the country to take a strong lead in stem cell research, are in part due to Dr McLaren's thoughtful input to the various committees that first examined the laws needed to govern IVF treatment. Speaking ahead of her lecture, Prof Mummery said: "Anne McLaren was one of the most thoughtful and sensitive stem cell scientists the scientific community has seen. Her views not only influenced the direction of UK regulation of the field - which has helped thousands of couples through IVF treatment - but also scientists considering ethical and regulatory questions across Europe. "Anne was also an excellent communicator of her research and, as well as commemorating her work, my lecture will highlight some of the cutting edge advances in today's stem cell research field." Prof Mummery's lab in The Netherlands is a world leader in the study of the basic development of the heart and how embryonic stem cells differentiate into the cardiac and vascular cells that make up the adult heart. Prof Mummery said: "Stem cell therapies have the potential to help us to treat and manage a wide range of diseases and conditions. Using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by disease could be one of the most promising in the near future. There are hurdles still to overcome but we have made real progress in producing the right sort of cells that would be needed." Speaking on behalf of Dr McLaren's family, Professor Susan Michie said: "We are delighted that Professor Mummery will give this important lecture in honour of Anne. The presentation of cutting edge stem cell research, which has such huge potential for improving the health and well-being of people the world over, would have delighted Anne. Anne thought that society was the poorer for often overlooking the huge talent amongst women scientists; it is therefore very appropriate that a world-renowned woman scientist is delivering this lecture." Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council |
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| Related Stem Cell Current Events and Stem Cell News Articles Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants A commonly inherited gene deletion can increase the likelihood of immune complications following bone marrow transplantation, an international team of researchers reports in the November 22 advance online issue of Nature Genetics. New research shows versatility of amniotic fluid stem cells For the first time, scientists have demonstrated that stem cells found in amniotic fluid meet an important test of potential to become specialized cell types, which suggests they may be useful for treating a wider array of diseases and conditions than scientists originally thought. 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. More Stem Cell Current Events and Stem Cell News Articles |
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