Directors of the California stem cell
agency are expected to give away $80 million next week to 20
fortunate researchers in addition to exploring a “commercialization
and industry engagement plan.”

“This award will fund promising
physician scientists in the critical early stages of their careers as
independent investigators and faculty members establishing their own
laboratories and programs.” 

• More money – no amount yet specified
  – for Viacyte, Inc, of San Diego, which has received more than $36
  million from CIRM.
• An update of the agency's response to
  the only performance audit conducted at the agency. The audit
  identified 27 areas where improvement is needed, but the governing
  board has not discussed the results publicly since they were
  disclosed last May.
• Approval of the concept plan for
  another round of basic biology grants and adoption of conflict of
  interest code changes.

Interested parties will be able to take part at the meeting location in Los Angeles and teleconference locations in La Jolla, Oakland and UCSF. If you are interested in
the teleconference locations, you will need to contact the agency for more specific directions than are provided on the agenda.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/RU_xC86oAyw/80-million-in-grants-money-for-viacyte.html

Directors of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency are still mulling details of changes in their
free-wheeling and sometimes emotional appeals process for grant applications
that are rejected by the agency's reviewers.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Hkq7zcXyMsQ/update-on-move-to-curb-researcher.html

With millions of people in aggregate suffering from debilitating disease, reduced mobility, or relentless pain associated with various conditions, stem cell medicine is available now through WISE Surgical Solutions LLC by direct flight from some major cities to our Joint Commission International Accredited Johns Hopkins affiliated Punta Pacifica Hospital in Panama.

New York (PRWEB) December 06, 2012

Cathy Nenninger, Chief Executive Officer of WISE Surgical Solutions LLC, shared why this offering is important. When I ran wound centers up and down the east coast, I used to get calls from patients and family members desperate for treatments to help alleviate severe symptoms of ailments such as these. It was heartbreaking that we were not able to provide any type of help or hope to these patients. Granted, while the response and success of stem cell treatment in patients varies greatly and by disease, patients who are in extreme discomfort or experiencing reduced function or quality of life deserve to know that they have options available to them.

A significant element of PROJECT HOPE, continues Ms. Nenninger, is the opportunity for community funding of the treatment. Often, families and communities want to help someone by making donations that will collectively fund a surgery or procedure which in itself can add another chore to the already stressed world of a Care Captain (person seeking help for another); Our goal is to make the process easy. For more information on Project Hope, call (631) 942-6040 or for a quote for service, fill out a medical history form available at http://www.WISESurgicalSolutions.com.

WISE Surgical Solutions LLC is based out of New York and caters to companies and patients seeking quality healthcare at an affordable price inclusive of travel. Offerings include medical, dental and surgical procedures of most types, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and stem cell medicine. Community & group funding as well as financing options are available for patients. Media relations inquiries can be directed to (631) 909-8538 or emailed to surgsolutions(at)optimum(dot)net.

Cathy M. Nenninger, MBA Wise Surgical Solutions LLC (631) 942-6040 Email Information

Here is the original post:
WISE Surgical Solutions LLC Announces Project Hope: Helping People with Debilitating Conditions Including Arthritis ...

Introduction

Genetic disorders are becoming common nowadays due to stressful modern lifestyle. Latest technologies are the added values to create many genetic disorders. To overcome the disorders, Gene therapy is a blessing. In order to compensate abnormal genes and make a good gene, genetic material is introduced into cells. In this way, mutated gene will act as a normal gene. Let us see in detail.

Ways to insert the gene

There are indirect ways need to be followed to make a gene to function as if it is inserted directly does not function. Carrier also called as vector is used to deliver the gene. In the place of vectors, virus play the role as they are getting modified and hence people are not affected with new diseases when it is integrated into the chromosome of the human cell.

The vectors need to get injected to specific tissue in the body or outwardly patient’s cell is removed and exposed to the vector. In either of the ways need to be again returned to the patient. Successful treatment makes proper genes and genetic disorders get solved.

Gene therapy for treating cancer

Cancer is the dangerous disease and there are many ways to cure cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. But cancerous cells in due course again spread and hence it is a deadly disease. Gene therapy is the best way discovered nowadays for treating cancer.
Let us see the basic fundamentals of cells. cells include packets of data in genes, created either from DNA or RNA. Sequence is there for DNA and if it is in the order, there will be no problem. But at the same time If there is disorder occurs in portion of the genes either turning or changing the position, cells lost their control and abnormal growth is seen which result in cancerous tumors. It can spread in mouth, breast, lung etc.,

Specialists in Gene therapy analyze the patient’s criticality first and follow the treatment procedures. One way is they replace missing or mutated genes into wholesome genes. Inserting totally new genes for fighting cancer, placing DNA into cancerous cells to undergo chemotherapy and radiation or injecting bad gene to destroy them etc., Mesothelioma type of cancers are not at all responded in formal therapies and hence one need to undergo gene therapy essentially. Need to have consultations with doctors to overcome their deadly disease.

Gene therapy importance

Doctors decide whether gene therapy is suitable by the following approaches. If genetic disorders are from mutations in one or more genes or whether a normal copy of the gene that is available in the patient is enough to fix the problems in the affected cells, then doctors determine that gene therapy will be more helpful rather than going for traditional methods.

Conclusion

Genetic engineering is a vast topic. Latest Science innovations in the field of genetic engineering yields for gene therapy. Doctors and scientists together working to find out whether gene therapy is the best suitable way for treating deadly diseases like cancer and others. Let us salute for the positive force of gene therapy.

Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/entry/biotechnology-gene-therapy/

Genetic Engineering News

DuBiotech: The Silicon Valley of Biotechnology Genetic Engineering News Ahmed Taha from DuBiotech, the Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park, has two questions for GEN readers: “Do you have a biotech idea that you'd like to develop rapidly, conveniently, and inexpensively?” Or alternatively, “Do you have an existing biotech ... and more »

Source:
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEk4rtzm46lE_25U_ZbxuqBzc6dnA&url=http://www.genengnews.com/insight-and-intelligence/dubiotech-the-silicon-valley-of-biotechnology/77899729/

Today's THV

Gene Patents Draw High Court Review in Biotechnology Test Businessweek The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider whether human genes can be patented, taking up an issue that has split the medical community and will shape the future of personalized health care and the biotechnology industry. The justices yesterday said ... US Supreme Court to Review Patents on Human GenesWall Street Journal Supremes to Decide Others Can Own Your GenesNational Review Online (blog) US top court to rule if companies can patent genesAFP Philadelphia Inquirer all 313 news articles »

Source:
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHkE9GDvUDADfqatAhvvW4OD3C8XA&url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-30/gene-patents-draw-high-court-review-in-biotechnology-test

The panelists emphasized that more accurate information should be provided to the public regarding stem cell treatments.

1.  50 shades of grey. Let's admit that this issue is not black-and-white but, as is almost always, involves a broad spectrum of grey in the middle.  


In addition to helping patients distinguish between compliant and non-compliant treatments (and providers) there are a lot of ways to help patients distinguish between non-compliant cell therapy  treatments (and providers) which are more or less risky.  

In between - in my opinion - are clinics like Stem Cell Institute and StemCellMD.

For some, helping patients distinguish between the better and worst non-compliant clinics might involve a fair amount of nose-pinching but this is the equivalent of the methadone clinic for heroine addicts.  By supporting the better of two evils we are not endorsing it as 'good', we are simply recognizing it is better.

This is a recognition that we cannot just abandon people because they made (or are going to make) decisions with which we ultimately disapprove.   It is a recognition that sometimes the most righteous thing to do is not only to help people do what we would ideally want them to do but to help them do the best they can in their circumstances and on their terms - even terms with which we may ultimately disagree.

6.  Let's grow a pair and call a spade a spade.  If a non-compliant clinic is providing treatments that we believe represent a high-risk to patient safety and the industry's credibility, let's have the b*lls to call them on it.  They can't sue everyone.  

http://www.celltherapyblog.com hosted by http://www.celltherapygroup.com

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CellTherapyBlog/~3/2b8Ffw4b1pU/six-steps-to-fighting-non-compliant.html

Scientists and engineers dream about big advances that could change the world, and then they try to create them. On the following pages, Scientific American reveals 10 innovations that could be game changers: an artificial alternative to DNA, oil that cleans water, pacemakers powered by our blood, and more. These are not pie-in-the-sky notions but practical breakthroughs that have been proved or prototyped and are poised to scale up greatly. Each has the potential to make what may now seem impossible possible. -- The Editors

[More]

Source:
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=b2ba3706ed26d9143fea77a07b425555

A couple of members of the governing
board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency were honored for
their work this month.

Jeff Sheehy UCSF Photo

“Jeff once told me
that when he joined CIRM’s board eight years ago, he didn’t see a
role for stem cells in an HIV/AIDS treatment. Now, CIRM has committed
$40 million toward HIV/AIDS projects and two teams of researchers
from City
of Hope and UCLA are
working toward clinical trials.”

Bert Lubin Childrens Hospital Photo

“He recruited a new senior management
team, chopped away at the pediatric hospital’s operating deficit
and worked to heal relationships with the local community and
governmental and political leaders that were deeply frayed...”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/9b9s3mW2ebM/stem-cell-board-members-lubin-and.html

Longtime ALS patient advocate Diane
Winokur of San Francisco, who has lost two sons to the disease, has
been appointed to the governing board of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency.

Diane Winokur Photo -- Legal Momentum

"Her
contributions have been invaluable and she will be a tremendous asset
in moving the ALS research field forward through CIRM
funding."

“Her knowledge, expertise and
leadership will be a tremendous addition to the ICOC (the stem cell
agency governing board) and help guide us in our work.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/dITcyP7WJbs/diane-winokur-veteran-als-patient.html

As of this week, 14 persons have been
recommended for the Knoepfler “Stem Cell Person of the Year”
Award.

“It’s something that I’m hoping I
can do every year. It would also be a reward for risk taking,
creativity and be breaking with tradition and be something new in
that regard.” 

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/cLYLc5HQUSY/knoepfler-award-update-more-than-bakers.html

Autologous Cell Therapy Market reserach report gives a detailed analysis about state of the art of both autologous stem cell and non-stem cell treatments. It includes the current advances and applications of the technology and trends in terms of market size and growth of autologous cellular therapies in medical treatments globally.

(PRWEB) November 30, 2012

Browse ACT market research data tables/figures spread through 111 slides and in-depth TOC on Autologous Cell Therapy (ACT) Market (2012 - 2017).

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/autologous-cell-therapy-market-837.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.

There is a wide market potential and favorable landscape for adoption across many geographical locations of the world. During the forecast period, these technologies are expected to revolutionize the area of bio-pharma and personalized medicine. High incidence and lack of effective treatment for several diseases will drive the ACT technology in developed and developing nations.

Investment activities, for past five years are actively held in research and developments, attracting interests of cell therapy industry firms, medical centers and academic institutions. ACT potential can be demonstrated by mergers, collaborations, acquisitions and partnerships that happened actively between the ACT technology developing companies in past three years. Development of sophisticated automation devices for cell expansion and culture process for use in the treatment is one of the emerging trends of ACT market.

The global market for ACT is valued around $650 million by 2011 with a CAGR of 21%. Several products and technologies of ACT are in pipeline which is expected to hit the market during the forecast period, which will result in increased growth rate.

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is a global market research and consulting company based in the U.S. We publish strategically analyzed market research reports and serve as a business intelligence partner to Fortune 500 companies across the world. MarketsandMarkets also provides multi-client reports, company profiles, databases, and custom research services.

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Autologous Cell Therapy Market expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2017, growing at a CAGR of 21% : MarketsandMarkets

SCMOM 2012_NeoStem
NeoStem, Inc. is an emerging technology leader in the fast-developing cell therapy market. Its business strategy combines a state-of-the-art contract development and manufacturing subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC, with a medically important cell therapy product development program. NeoStem #39;s most clinically advanced therapeutic, AMR-001, is being developed at its Amorcyte subsidiary, which is enrolling patients in a Phase 2 trial for preservation of heart function after a heart attack. Athelos Corporation, also a NeoStem subsidiary, is in early stage clinical exploration of a T-cell therapy for autoimmune conditions. Pre-clinical assets include our VSELTM Technology platform and our mesenchymal stem cell product candidate for regenerative medicine. http://www.neostem.com Presenter: Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein, NeoStem, Inc.From:AllianceRegenMedViews:4 1ratingsTime:14:54More inScience Technology

See more here:
SCMOM 2012_NeoStem - Video

Washington, November 28 (ANI): When mesenchymal cells derived from skeletal muscle (SM-MSCs) or adipose tissue (ADSCs) were injected into the heart muscle (myocardium) of separate groups of laboratory rats that had suffered a myocardial infarction, rats in both groups experienced significantly improved left ventricle function and smaller infarct size after cell therapy, a study has found.

The study, carried out by researchers at Oslo University Hospital and the Norwegian Center for Stem cell Research, Oslo University, sought to determine if MSCs from different organs would result in different functional outcomes.

"Despite advances in revascularization and medical therapy, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure are still important causes of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries," said study co-author Dr. Jan E. Brinchmann of the Norwegian center for Stem Cell Research at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo.

"AMI leads to a permanent loss of contractile elements in the heart and the formation of fibrous scarring. Regeneration of contractile myocardium has been a target of cell therapy for more than a decade," he added.

According to Dr. Brinchmann, MSCs tolerate hypoxia, secrete angiogenic factors and have been shown to improve vascularization; thus, they have properties suggesting that they may beneficially impact AMI, chronic heart failure and angina pectoris after cell transplantation.

Following injection into the "border zone" and infarct area of immunodeficient rats one week after induced myocardial infarction, the researchers used echocardiography to measure myocardial function and other analyses to measure the size of scaring, density of blood vessels in the scar, and the health of myocardial tissues.

"Our results showed that intramyocardial injection of both ADSCs and SM-MSCs one week after AMI led to a substantial decrease in infarct size and a significant improvement in left ventricle function when compared with injections of cell culture medium alone," concluded the researchers.

"There was a trend toward better functional improvement in the SM-MSC group when compared to the ADSC group, but this did not reach significance," they added.

They concluded that many questions remain unanswered, including the question of whether MSCs isolated from different organisms could result in different functional outcomes.

Other unanswered questions relate to the optimal time delay between the onset of myocardial infarction and injection of MSCs. These cells do, however, still appear to be "a potentially interesting adjuvant treatment modality for selected patients following acute myocardial infarction," they concluded.

Original post:
Different organ-derived stem cell injections improve heart function in rats

A panel at the Harvard Law School Wednesday discussed the ethical debate over the use of embryonic stem cells in the United States, focusing on the burgeoning controversy surrounding the role of stem cell therapy in medical tourism.

Medical tourism, in which patients travel internationally to gain access to specific health care services, has become increasingly common, panelists said. They said that reasons for medical tourism range from basic hip replacement surgery to black market organ sales. As most stem cell therapies are not approved in the United States, numerous patients are going abroad to countries like China and Russia where treatment is legal.

Panelist I. Glenn Cohen, an assistant professor at the Law School, said that it was probable that a Chinese stem cell facility performs several hundred thousand of these treatments yearly. He said that numerous celebrities, including football quarterback Peyton Manning, have reportedly traveled abroad to receive stem cell treatment not approved by the FDA.

A number of facilities claim to use stem cells to cure a wide array of diseases. University of Alberta law professor Timothy Caulfield, another panelist, pointed out that a simple Google search leads potential patients to a plethora of websites which claim that diseases such as autism and cancer can be cured through stem cell therapy.

Its being offered as routine, its being offered as safe, its being offered as effective, Caulfield said, citing his own 2008 study on the subject, Of course, none of them being offered matched what the scientific literature said.

According to American history professor Jill Lepore, the hyper-acceleration of enthusiasm for stem cell therapy is reminiscent of a century ago when science journalism and government funding for science research began to blossom. Lepore pointed out how public excitement over scientific procedures has affected society in the past, popularizing cryonics research and the work of Eugene Steinach, who claimed his vasectomy operation reversed the aging process.

Panelists said that one issue with stem cell tourism is the number of health risks associated with such procedures, citing a number of instances where stem cell therapy caused serious harm.

They also noted that public discussion about stem cell therapy has been markedly positive, lending an air of legitimacy to stem cell therapy that hasnt been validated by research.

Articles criticizing stem cell tourism, on the other hand, have generally received a less favorable response. Caulfield told the audience that when he co-wrote an article in The Atlantic criticizing stem cell therapy, he was accused as being a nutball Canadian socialist bioethicist.

The panelists emphasized that more accurate information should be provided to the public regarding stem cell treatments.

Link:
Professors Critique Stem Cell Medical Tourism

November 25, 2012 12:54

Former bassist is said to be still in a "partially conscious state" four years on from car accident.

Photo: Tom Oxley/NME

Former Deftones bassist Chi Cheng's family are considering stem cell therapy to aid his recovery from a car accident which put him in a coma in 2008.

Cheng is said to be in a "partially conscious state" and is unable to speak, although he can move his legs on command. The bassist has been in and out of hospitals over the past four years and only got home to recover in June this year.

Now, according to Revolver Magazine, the family is considering alternative therapy in order to speed up Cheng's recovery, as they say the last few months have been a struggle for him.

His brother, Ming Cheng, said: "Once his health gets a little better, we'll start looking into other options...but they don't even do it (stem cell therapy) in the US yet.

"It's a miracle he's still with us," he added. "He's alive and kicking and he's fighting, and I think there's a reason for it. I'm hoping there's a light at the end of the tunnel for Chi."

Deftones released their new album 'Koi No Yokan' on November 12. You can stream the new record, which features 'Entomb (Dazzle)', 'Swerve City', 'Graphic Nature', 'Goon Squad' and 'Leathers', below.

The band tour the UK in 2013. They will play five dates, kicking off at Glasgow's Barrowland on February 15, before heading to Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and finishing at London's 02 Brixton Academy (20).

View post:
Deftones' Chi Cheng's family consider stem cell therapy to aid recovery

China Daily

Biotechnology organization sees IP rights essential China Daily "A patent often brings far greater value than one could ever imagine," said Dr Terence L.T. Lau, chief operating officer and general manager of Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO), which innovates the patented biotech product - H5 series of ...

Source:
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEOdlxI8xurAY3bXNV_hXzfJx-45A&url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-11/20/content_15945771.htm

Daily Mail

Nature Biotechnology Study Highlights New Myelin Specific Approach to Treat ... The Herald | HeraldOnline.com SARATOGA, Calif. — The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) today announced the results of a new peer-reviewed research study published in Nature Biotechnology highlighting a targeted, novel approach for multiple sclerosis (MS). By utilizing the Myelin ... Nanoparticles deliver antigen to trick the immune system in MSFierceDrugDelivery MS: Nanoparticle Discovery May Halt MS Without Total Immune System ...Guardian Express Nanoparticles Show Potential for Treating MSCBS 47 all 68 news articles »

Source:
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNErhLSVVXGN3nY6iYOnxa7W-b-7lA&url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/11/19/4426106/nature-biotechnology-study-highlights.html

The California stem cell agency and
StemCells, Inc., are still trying to reach agreement on a deal in
which the company would receive $40 million from the state's
taxpayer-funded research effort.

“We are still in talks with them over
the terms of the funding. Hopefully, we'll have an agreement soon.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/MeZfo2qdxDQ/california-stem-cell-agency-still-in.html

In nine days, the California stem cell
agency plans to take another crack at finding ways to curb its
free-wheeling appeal process involving scientists whose applications
for millions have been rejected by reviewers.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/5vUXCLMoJz8/texas-flaps-looms-over-california-stem.html