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Governor recognizes stem cell research at Einstein
October 09, 2009Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University hosted a roundtable discussion on stem cell research with New York Governor David A. Paterson today. Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein, and eight stem cell researchers discussed advances in medical therapies and treatments that Einstein scientists have been investigating since receiving more than $14 million in State funding for stem cell research.
"I applaud the efforts of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the more than two dozen research institutions across the State who are at the cutting-edge of stem cell technology - one of the great new frontiers of 21st century science," Governor Paterson said. "I have no doubt that this important work will one day lead to the successful treatment of dozens of devastating afflictions that have escaped the grasp of modern medicine to date."
"It is an honor for Einstein to be recognized by Governor Paterson for our pioneering work with stem cells," said Dr. Spiegel. "With Einstein's strong commitment to leverage this technology, our scientists are on the leading edge of medical research, tackling some of the world's most challenging diseases like liver failure, cancer, and heart disease. We also applaud the vision and commitment of the Governor for supporting stem cell programs."
Stem cell research aims to improve human health and alleviate disease by restoring cells, tissues and organs lost to disease or injury. Unlike mature cells, which are permanently committed to their fate, stem cells can both renew themselves as well as create new cells of whatever tissue to which they belong.
"Funds from the State are a critical lifeline for our innovative and high-risk, high-reward research programs," said Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., M.B.B.S., the Eleazar & Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine at Einstein. "For example, our stem cell work focusing on the liver is aimed at finding cures for challenging diseases, like hepatitis, or drug reactions that may cause liver failure. Similarly, as the liver is the body's factory for producing proteins, many genetic conditions, including high blood cholesterol and hemophilia, may be best treated by replacing healthy liver cells. Stem cell research is a promising means to address these growing problems."
To date, Einstein has received more than $14 million in funding from the Empire State Stem Cell Board. In March 2009, Einstein received grants totaling $5.75 million for researching potential therapies for treating sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart and liver disease, obesity, leukemia, hepatitis, and age-related diseases. Also in March 2009, Einstein received a nearly $6 million grant for research into creating patient-specific stem cells and for testing new therapies on lab animals - an essential component before these treatments can be tested in humans. Additionally, Einstein has received $2.3 million in grants to develop the overall capacity for stem cell research, planning, and to stimulate and support investigations to develop improved methods for deriving pluripotent stem cell lines and defining reprogramming mechanisms. Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein, received $270,000 in grants for planning and core equipment for a cellular therapeutics facility.
"Investment in stem cell research is part of my vision to make New York a global leader in the New Economy, which is based on knowledge, innovation and technology," added the Governor. "The research we are undertaking right now will not only pay dividends for future generations but it will also provide jobs for New Yorkers still struggling in the midst of the economic crisis."
Governor Paterson has spearheaded the effort to commit $600 million over the next decade to advance stem cell science in New York State. Since the beginning of 2008, the State has allocated more than $165 million from the Empire State Stem Cell Board to support promising stem cell scientists through the development of new research, training, collaboration, and infrastructure.
The Stem Cell Board total includes two authorizations that the Governor recently announced. Final applications were due last month for $21.5 million in State funding for research to understand stem cell biology better and for improved efficiency in using existing stem cell lines. In December 2009, a $20.5 million Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at recruiting and retaining exceptionally talented postdoctoral fellows and operating specialized stem cell research facilities will close.
"Providing New Yorkers with economic security is my number one priority," Governor Paterson said. "That means investing in long-term projects like stem cell research, biotechnology and clean energy. But it also means pouring the concrete for the lab where a scientist will discover the cure for diabetes and repaving the roads that will carry its beams and girders."
Einstein stem cell researchers who attended the roundtable discussion were:
* Carl L. Schildkraut, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology (Basic Stem Cell Biology)
* Ulrich Steidl, M.D., Ph.D., Diane and Arthur B. Belfer Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research (Cancer Stem Cells)
* Charles E. Rogler, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine (Hepatology) and of Microbiology & Immunology (Liver Stem Cells)
* Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., M.B.B.S., Eleazar & Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine (Liver Stem Cells)
* Mukesh Kumar, Ph.D., Instructor of Medicine (Hepatology) (Liver Stem Cells)
* Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury, M.B.B.S., MRCP, Professor of Medicine and of Genetics; Scientific Director, Gene Therapy Facility (Liver Stem Cells)
* Jeffrey E. Pessin, Ph.D., Judy R. & Alfred A. Rosenberg Professorial Chair in Diabetes Research; Director, Diabetes Research Center (Fat Stem Cells)
* Eric E. Bouhassira, Ph.D., Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Blood Stem Cells).
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Stem cell research aims to improve human health and alleviate disease by restoring cells, tissues and organs lost to disease or injury. Unlike mature cells, which are permanently committed to their fate, stem cells can both renew themselves as well as create new cells of whatever tissue to which they belong.
"Funds from the State are a critical lifeline for our innovative and high-risk, high-reward research programs," said Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., M.B.B.S., the Eleazar & Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine at Einstein. "For example, our stem cell work focusing on the liver is aimed at finding cures for challenging diseases, like hepatitis, or drug reactions that may cause liver failure. Similarly, as the liver is the body's factory for producing proteins, many genetic conditions, including high blood cholesterol and hemophilia, may be best treated by replacing healthy liver cells. Stem cell research is a promising means to address these growing problems."
To date, Einstein has received more than $14 million in funding from the Empire State Stem Cell Board. In March 2009, Einstein received grants totaling $5.75 million for researching potential therapies for treating sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart and liver disease, obesity, leukemia, hepatitis, and age-related diseases. Also in March 2009, Einstein received a nearly $6 million grant for research into creating patient-specific stem cells and for testing new therapies on lab animals - an essential component before these treatments can be tested in humans. Additionally, Einstein has received $2.3 million in grants to develop the overall capacity for stem cell research, planning, and to stimulate and support investigations to develop improved methods for deriving pluripotent stem cell lines and defining reprogramming mechanisms. Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein, received $270,000 in grants for planning and core equipment for a cellular therapeutics facility.
"Investment in stem cell research is part of my vision to make New York a global leader in the New Economy, which is based on knowledge, innovation and technology," added the Governor. "The research we are undertaking right now will not only pay dividends for future generations but it will also provide jobs for New Yorkers still struggling in the midst of the economic crisis."
Governor Paterson has spearheaded the effort to commit $600 million over the next decade to advance stem cell science in New York State. Since the beginning of 2008, the State has allocated more than $165 million from the Empire State Stem Cell Board to support promising stem cell scientists through the development of new research, training, collaboration, and infrastructure.
The Stem Cell Board total includes two authorizations that the Governor recently announced. Final applications were due last month for $21.5 million in State funding for research to understand stem cell biology better and for improved efficiency in using existing stem cell lines. In December 2009, a $20.5 million Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at recruiting and retaining exceptionally talented postdoctoral fellows and operating specialized stem cell research facilities will close.
"Providing New Yorkers with economic security is my number one priority," Governor Paterson said. "That means investing in long-term projects like stem cell research, biotechnology and clean energy. But it also means pouring the concrete for the lab where a scientist will discover the cure for diabetes and repaving the roads that will carry its beams and girders."
Einstein stem cell researchers who attended the roundtable discussion were:
* Carl L. Schildkraut, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology (Basic Stem Cell Biology)
* Ulrich Steidl, M.D., Ph.D., Diane and Arthur B. Belfer Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research (Cancer Stem Cells)
* Charles E. Rogler, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine (Hepatology) and of Microbiology & Immunology (Liver Stem Cells)
* Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., M.B.B.S., Eleazar & Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine (Liver Stem Cells)
* Mukesh Kumar, Ph.D., Instructor of Medicine (Hepatology) (Liver Stem Cells)
* Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury, M.B.B.S., MRCP, Professor of Medicine and of Genetics; Scientific Director, Gene Therapy Facility (Liver Stem Cells)
* Jeffrey E. Pessin, Ph.D., Judy R. & Alfred A. Rosenberg Professorial Chair in Diabetes Research; Director, Diabetes Research Center (Fat Stem Cells)
* Eric E. Bouhassira, Ph.D., Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Blood Stem Cells).
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Stem Cell Research Current Events and Stem Cell Research News RSSFirst 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.
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.
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.
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.
Endocrine Society calls for expanded scope and funding for stem cell research
Stem cell research holds great promise for the treatment of millions of Americans with debilitating and possibly fatal diseases.
Scientists develop novel method to generate functional hepatocytes for drug testing
Scientists have for the first time produced liver cells from adult skin cells using the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology.
UCSD researchers pave the way for effective liver treatments
A combination of bioengineering and medical research at the University of California, San Diego has led to a new discovery that could pave the way for more effective treatments for liver disease.
How Proteins Talk to Each Other
Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have identified novel cleavage sites for the enzyme caspase-3 (an enzyme that proteolytically cleaves target proteins).
Reactive Oxygen's Role in Metastasis
Researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have discovered that reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, play a key role in forming invadopodia, cellular protrusions implicated in cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis.
New Insights Into Cardiac Aging
Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have found that the conserved protein d4eBP modulates cardiac aging in Drosophila (fruit flies).
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