Stem Cell Research and Stem Cell Therapy: When can stem cells be used to treat patients?
Understanding Stem Cell Research
Stem cells possess the unique ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types in the body, making them invaluable for regenerative medicine. They play a crucial role in replenishing damaged tissues throughout an individual’s life.
Types of Stem Cells in Research
- Embryonic Stem Cells: Derived from the inner cells of a blastocyst, these cells have the potential to form any type of cell in the body.
- Adult Stem Cells: Found in various tissues, these cells contribute to tissue repair and maintenance.
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Reprogrammed from adult cells to exhibit embryonic-like properties, offering new avenues for research and therapy.
Applications of Stem Cells in Disease Treatment
Stem cell research holds promise for treating a wide array of diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, by harnessing their regenerative capabilities.
Challenges and Research Advances
- Laboratory Studies: Used to understand fundamental properties and differentiation mechanisms of stem cells.
- Drug Screening: Stem cells serve as models to test new drugs and study normal growth processes and disease mechanisms.
Ethical Considerations and Guidelines
The Declaration of Helsinki guides ethical practices in stem cell research involving human subjects, emphasizing informed consent and the need for ongoing evaluation of experimental interventions.
Clinical Translation of Stem Cell Therapies
- Regulatory Framework: Clinical trials are essential to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based treatments.
- Phases of Clinical Trials: From initial safety assessments (Phase 0) to post-marketing studies (Phase IV), each phase plays a crucial role in determining treatment viability.
Future Directions in Stem Cell Research
Continued advancements in stem cell research are expected to expand our understanding of cellular regeneration and pave the way for innovative therapies.
- Published in Corporate News / Blog
Duncan Ross, Ph.D., to Speak at Santiago, Chile Symposium
Duncan Ross, Ph.D., founder of Kimera Research Labs, will be the keynote speaker at the Global Stem Cells Group Symposium in Santiago, Chile July 1-2, 2016.
MIAMI, April 26, 2016–Global Stem Cells Group has announced that affiliate Kimera Research Labs founder Duncan Ross, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker at the Asia-Pacific Symposium in Santiago Chile, July 1-2, 2016. The abstract for Ross’s lecture will be, “The mechanism of action of stem cells in regenerative medicine is increasingly being understood to be effected through paracrine factors. Central to the question of when and how to treat an individual disease is where and for what duration a transplanted cell will persist to generate these factors.”
In the absence of a robust ability to track cell persistence in humans, Dr. Ross will present current research in murine hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation with support from human transplant results.
Duncan Ross, Ph.D.
The symposium will be co-sponsored by Global Stem Cells Group and the University of Santiago’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, and will focus on regenerative medicine and stem cell applications to anti-aging and aesthetic medicine. University of Santiago faculty will lead the symposium, which will host qualified academic and medical groups from around the world who will present their scientific papers.
The symposium is the first joint endeavor between Global Stem Cells Group and the University of Santiago since establishing an alliance recently, and which will be announced at the Asia-Pacific Symposium. It also marks Ross’s first appearance as a member of the Global Stem Cells Group Advisory Board.
Ross received a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Miami and specializes in research, mesenchymal stem cell applications, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic disorders, the suppression of graft vs. host disease, and var
ious methods of immune suppression.
Global Stem Cells Group and Kimera Labs share a commitment to research and development, and providing stem cell treatments to patients in clinical settings worldwide.
To learn more, visit the Global Stem Cells Group website, email bnovas(at)stemcellsgroup(dot)com, or call +1 305 560 5337.
About Global Stem Cell Group:
Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions. With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.
Global Stem Cells Group’s corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCG’s six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.
About Kimera Labs:
Kimera Labs is currently focused on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the suppression of various immune mediated pathologies and regenerative medicine in the US, Latin America, and the Bahamas. Founder Duncan Ross, Ph.D., is an immunologist and researcher who has studied hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic disorders, the suppression of graft vs. host disease, and various methods of immune suppression.
Kimera Labs provides patients access to stem cell treatment in the U.S. according to U.S. laws. In order to provide the greatest benefit to patients, Ross frequently travels to treat patients in Central and South America where specialists are available in a different regulatory environment.
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- Published in Press Releases
Global Stem Cells Group and Kimera Labs Announce Autologous Stem Cell Research Alliance
Global Stem Cells Group and Kimera Research Labs have announced an alliance to conduct scientific research on highly manipulated cells and culture expansion, and cryopreservation of autologous stem cells.
MIAMI, April 26, 2016–Global Stem Cells Group and Kimera Research Labs have announced an alliance to conduct scientific research on highly manipulated stem cells and culture expansion, and cryopreservation of autologous stem cells. The collaboration will open new opportunities for GSCG to increase its participation in scientific research and development of new stem cell protocols and treatments for a number of conditions.
The manipulation of stem cells involves the ability to deliver molecules into adherent cells without disrupting differentiation, a process biotechnology researchers need in order to advance both fundamental knowledge and the state-of-the-art in stem cell research. Differentiation is the process by which an unspecialized cell, such as a stem cell, becomes specialized into one of the many cells in the body. During differentiation, certain genes become activated and other genes become inactivated in an painstakingly regulated manner. As a result, a differentiated cell develops specific structures and performs certain functions that ultimately allows it to replace damaged or dead cells. In the laboratory, a stem cell can be manipulated to become specialized or partially specialized cell types, such as heart muscle, nerve, or pancreatic cells.
“Non-destructive manipulation of stem cells in the correct environment is key to enabling technology needed within the biology and medical research communities,” says Benito Novas, CEO of Global Stem Cells Group. “To realize the promise of stem cell-based therapies to treat injuries and diseases, scientists must be able to manipulate stem cells so that they possess the necessary characteristics for successful differentiation, transplantation, and engraftment.”
To bring successful new treatments to the clinic, scientists need to control certain steps for stem cells to be useful for transplant purposes. Researchers are constantly discovering new ways to manipulate stem cells to be reproducibly made to:
- Replicate extensively and generate sufficient quantities of cells for making tissue.
- Differentiate into the desired cell type(s).
- Survive in the recipient after transplant.
- Integrate into the surrounding tissue after transplant.
- Function appropriately for the duration of the recipient’s life.
- Avoid harming the recipient in any way.
Scientists are also experimenting with different research strategies to generate tissue without the concern of immune rejection.
Research on cryopreservation of autologous stem cells is necessary for cell bank procedures in which stem cell expansion and use are not immediately needed. Cryopreservation allows for the long-term storage of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and is the preferred storage technique for virtually all components intended for autologous HSC transplantation.
Cryopreservation allows the administration of multiple-day transplant conditioning regimens as well as elective storage for patients to receive transplants at a subsequent point in a course of treatment, and offers patients the opportunity to benefit from multidose protocols.
Global Stem Cells Group and Kimera Labs share a commitment to research, develop and provide stem cell treatments to patients worldwide in a clinical setting.
To learn more, visit the Global Stem Cells Group website, email bnovas(at)stemcellsgroup(dot)com, or call +1 305 560 5337.
About Global Stem Cell Group:
Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions. With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.
Global Stem Cells Group’s corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCG’s six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.
About Kimera Labs:
Kimera Labs is currently focused on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the suppression of various immune mediated pathologies and regenerative medicine in the US, Latin America, and the Bahamas. Founder Duncan Ross, Ph.D., is an immunologist and researcher who has studied hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic disorders, the suppression of graft vs. host disease, and various methods of immune suppression.
Kimera Labs provides patients access to stem cell treatment in the U.S. according to U.S. laws. In order to provide the greatest benefit to patients, Ross frequently travels to treat patients in Central and South America where specialists are available in a different regulatory environment.
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To view this press release live on line, click here
- Published in Press Releases
German Stem Cell Scientists Develop 3-D “Mini-retinas” –New Hope for Restoring Sight in Patients with Retinal Degeneration Caused by Diabetes and Inherited Disorders.
Breakthrough in Retinal Regeneration Using 3D Organoids
Protocol for 3D Mini-retinas
German researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in stem cell technology focused on restoring sight through the development of 3D retina organoids. Published in Stem Cell Reports in March, this study leverages the self-organizing properties of stem cells to create complex, multi-cellular tissue structures.
The innovative protocol involves dividing organoids grown from stem cells into three half-moon shaped pieces during early eye development. This technique facilitates the growth of fully functional retinal cells within each segment, including cone photoreceptors crucial for high acuity and color vision. These advancements are particularly promising for patients suffering from retinal degenerative disorders caused by diabetes and inherited conditions.
Advantages of 3D Retinal Organoids
The development process not only enhances the production yield of retinal organoids by up to four times compared to previous methods but also allows for the formation of more realistic tissue structures resembling natural retinal tissue during development.
Applications in Retinal Disease Research
According to senior author Mike Karl from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD) at Technische Universität Dresden, the versatility of 3D mini-retinas extends beyond replication of retinal tissue. It offers diverse opportunities for studying retinal diseases and potential therapeutic interventions.
Future Directions in Organoid Research
Karl’s team aims to enhance the complexity of mini-retinas by incorporating blood vessels and studying the regeneration capabilities and neural cell functions specific to the human retina. This approach not only furthers understanding of retinal diseases but also holds promise for developing personalized treatments.
Insights and Comparative Studies
Comparative studies between human pluripotent stem cell-derived retina organoids and in vivo mouse retina underscore the potential of this novel organoid protocol to model retinal diseases effectively.
- Published in Corporate News / Blog
New Stem Cell Research Shows Promising Results for Muscular Dystrophy
Understanding Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy (MD) encompasses a group of genetic disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. These disorders, affecting primarily skeletal muscles, can also impact respiratory and swallowing muscles, leading to severe disability over time.
Types and Impact of Muscular Dystrophy
There are various types of muscular dystrophy, with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) being the most severe and common form, primarily affecting young boys. DMD is characterized by a genetic mutation that prevents the production of dystrophin, a crucial protein for muscle function. This deficiency leads to progressive muscle degeneration, loss of mobility, and, in many cases, premature death.
Current Treatments and Limitations
Currently, there is no cure for DMD. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression through therapies like physiotherapy and steroids. However, these treatments have limitations and often come with significant side effects.
Potential of Stem Cell Therapies for Muscular Dystrophy
Regeneration with Stem Cells
Stem cell research offers promising avenues for treating muscular dystrophy by targeting muscle regeneration. Studies have shown that stem cells isolated from muscle tissue, bone marrow, and blood vessels can potentially regenerate dystrophin-deficient muscle fibers in animal models.
Experimental Success with Stem Cells
Recent studies have demonstrated encouraging results in animal models of DMD. Researchers have successfully restored mobility in dogs and improved muscle function in mice by transplanting stem cells. These studies suggest that stem cells could potentially replace damaged muscle tissue and restore muscle function.
Combining Stem Cell and Gene Therapies
Emerging research also explores combining stem cell therapies with genetic correction techniques. This approach aims to correct the genetic defect responsible for DMD and stimulate muscle regeneration simultaneously, showing promising outcomes in preclinical studies.
Future Directions and Research
While the application of stem cell therapies for DMD in humans is still in its early stages, ongoing research holds significant promise. Future studies will focus on optimizing stem cell treatments, enhancing their safety and efficacy, and ultimately translating these findings into viable therapies for patients with muscular dystrophy.
Conclusion
Stem cell research represents a beacon of hope for advancing treatment options for muscular dystrophy, particularly DMD. As research progresses and clinical trials continue, the potential of stem cells to regenerate muscle tissue and improve quality of life for patients with muscular dystrophy becomes increasingly promising.
References:
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscular-dystrophy/basics/definition/con-20021240
- http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/muscular-dystrophy-how-could-stem-cells-help
- https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/research
- http://quest.mda.org/article/scientists-bullish-stem-cells-muscle-repair
- http://hsci.harvard.edu/stem-cells-used-treat-muscular-dystrophy-mice
- https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2014/12/stem-cells-faulty-in-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy.html
- Published in Corporate News / Blog
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