But there are other hurdlessome so challenging that many scientists have given up. For one thing, nudging the stem cells in the right direction requires, it seems, a unique touch and expertise. Not just anyone will be able to make egg and sperm cells in the lab, says Saitou.

Saitou and Hayashi, now at Kyushu University, lead world-renowned teams of extraordinary skill. Their achievements might not have been possible without the contributions of Hiroshi Ohta, for example. Ohta is an expert in anesthetizing newborn mice using ice, performing intricate surgery on them, and injecting cells into the animals miniature gonads. The entire procedure must be completed within five minutes or the animals die. Only a few people have such skills, which take months to develop. I think our group was kind of lucky, says Saitou. It was a get-together of many talented scientists.

The work is hampered by the lack of in-depth knowledge about how the primitive forms of egg and sperm cells develop naturally in the embryoa process that is far from fully worked out in humans. Some of the embryos cells begin to differentiate into these primitive sex cells at around 14 days. But in some countries, it is illegal for researchers to even grow human embryos beyond 14 days. They would send me to jail if I went beyond day 14, says Azim Surani, who is working with precursors to artificial sex cells at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

The problem, from a research point of view, is that the 14-day rule comes in just as the embryos start to get interesting, says Surani. Without being able to easily study the critical process of how primitive cells begin forming egg and sperm cells, scientists are limited in their ability to mimic it in the lab.

Even if scientists were able to study embryos more freely, some mysteries would remain. Once the cells that make eggs and sperm are created, they are held in a kind of suspended animation until puberty or ovulation. What happens to them in the years in between? And how important is this phase for the health of mature eggs and sperm? The honest answer is we dont know, says Surani.

The stem cells in the lab must also be generated and cared for under precise conditions. To survive, they must be bathed in a cocktail of nutrients that must be replaced every day. Its very time consuming and labor intensive and it takes a lot of money, says Bjorn Heindryckx at Ghent University in Belgium, one of the scientists who have given up on creating human eggs this way in the lab. The outcome was too limited for the effort and the money that we spent on it, he says.

Part of the challenge is that for the precursor stem cells to develop into fully matured egg or sperm cells, they must be placed in an environment mimicking that of newly developing ovaries or testes. Researchers studying mice use tissue taken from mouse embryos to induce the stem cells to differentiate into sex cells. But similarly using human tissue from discarded embryos is ethically and legally problematic. So scientists are working on ways to create the right environment without using tissue from embryos.

The upshot is that it will likely take a highly skilled team years of dedicated research. Its not impossible, but it would not be easy to do, says Surani.

Continue reading here:
Inside the race to make human sex cells in the lab - MIT Technology Review

Jeanne Loring likes to say shes been to space without her feet even leaving the ground.

Just weeks ago, the Scripps Research Institute professor of molecular medicine sent some of her own genetically mapped cells to space as part of first-of-its-kind research to study the progression and onset of Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

I love traveling. Ive been on all the continents, and so I figured, whats left? Loring said jokingly. I just jumped at the opportunity when I learned that it was possible.

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In July, the cells arrived via cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station, where they remained under close observation for about a month 250 miles above Earth, and traveling at 17,500 miles per hour before they splashed back down to Earth last week.

The study is part of new National Stem Cell Foundation-funded neurodegeneration research to observe how cells communicate in microgravity in a way not possible on Earth, explained Paula Grisanti, founder and CEO of the foundation.

Its really pure exploration at this point, because theres no history of anybody doing this before, she said. Were paving the path.

An organoid derived from Dr. Jeanne Lorings induced pluripotent stem cells is prepared to be sent to the International Space Station.

(Courtesy of Dr. Davide Marotta)

Loring, a Del Mar resident who is one of the worlds leading experts in Parkinsons and a senior scientific advisor for the foundation, has been working with human-induced pluripotent stem cells since the technology was first discovered in 2006.

Called organoids, these cells are made from human skin tissue, which is put into a culture dish and turned into pluripotent stem cells, Loring explained.

Pluripotent stem cells only exist in culture dishes, they dont exist in our bodies, she said. Pluripotent means they can form any cell type in the body so for Loring, that meant forming nerve cells to create brain-like structures.

Its hard to study peoples brains, Loring said. You can do all this external stuff like they do with physical exams, but theres not any window into the brain so this is providing a sort of brain avatar.

Organoids provide a stand-in for the brain that can be studied by researchers, Loring explained. They make connections with each other, the cells talk to each other, so in a lot of ways, its a really good model of the brain, she added.

Moreover, the organoids mimic the brains of people with MS and Parkinsons.

Loring has been working with these organoids for years through Aspen Neuroscience, a San Diego-based company she co-founded that is working to create the worlds first personalized cell therapy for Parkinsons, using a patients own cells so they dont have to worry about rejection. Clinical trials may start as early as next year, she said.

Tubes containing neural organoids are loaded into a rack in preparation for placement in Cube Lab to travel to the International Space Station.

(Courtesy of Space Tango)

For the last four years, the foundations team of bicoastal researchers has been working together to study these organoids in space.

While an experiment in space presents its own challenges, Loring said its worth the work, as researchers hope to gain valuable and unique insight into how disorders like Parkinsons and MS develop. You can see them interacting and talking to each other in 3-D in a way that you cannot on Earth, Grisanti said.

Along with Lorings healthy organoids, which are used as a control, organoids derived from patients with Parkinsons and MS were sent to the space station, while the entire experiment was replicated on Earth.

Specifically, researchers are studying the neuroinflammation in the organoids, which is like when the immune system in the brain is overactive, Grisanti explained.

Organoid cultures are sealed in holders and ready to be placed in Cube Lab for space flight. The cover shows National Stem Cell Foundations SpaceX CRS-25 mission patch.

(Courtesy of Space Tango)

What we hope to find is a point at which things start to go wrong in those neurodegenerative diseases, where we could then intervene with a new drug or cell therapy, she said. And were seeing signs that that happens more in space than it does on the ground, so it helps create the type of interaction that you would see early in a neurodegenerative disease.

Grisanti said they hope to be able to use this research to develop a new drug or cell therapy to treat these disorders and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

I think weve cracked the door open, but weve got some more flying to do, she added.

Continued here:
To better understand Parkinson's disease, this San Diego expert sent her own cells to space - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Westford, USA, Aug. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the world increasingly becomes connected and people live longer, surgery and medical procedures become more complex. Surgery, one of the most common medical procedures, is now estimated to use over 1 million surgical tools each year. In order to meet the rising demand for surgical tools, surgeons are turning to biomaterials as a key component in their procedures. The main reason for this growth of the global biomaterials market is the increasing demand for novel biomaterials in various sectors such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and medical applications.

The growing demand for biomaterials has led to several companies developing unique biomaterials specifically for surgery. Some of the most well-known biomedical materials including polypropylene microspheres, chitosan hydrogel, and alginate matrix were pioneers in the field of biomaterials. Today, there are numerous new types of biomaterials being developed and marketed for a variety of medical applications, such as wound healing and orthopedic surgery. Global biomaterials market is expanding rapidly due to increasing public awareness of the benefits of using these materials and growing demand from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

SkyQuest has published a report on global biomaterials market. The report provides a detailed market analysis, which would help the market participant in gaining is insights about market forecast, company profiles, market share, pricing analysis, competitive landscape, value chain analysis, porters five, and pestle among others.

Get sample copy of this report:

https://skyquestt.com/sample-request/biomaterials-market

Demand For Biomaterials in the Healthcare Industry will Grow by 53% Over the Next Five Years

The demand for biomaterials market in the healthcare industry is growing rapidly, according to SkyQuest study. We studied global economic data and discovered that the demand for biomaterials in the healthcare industry will grow by 53% over the next five years. In 2021, 10.7 million patients used some kind of biomaterials across different applications such as wound care, tissue implant, surgeries, and medical devices, among others. This rising demand is impacting not only hospitals and clinics, but also diagnostic laboratories and pharmaceutical companies.

Most biomedical materials are manufactured from organic materials such as skin, bone, cartilage, and tendons. While these materials can be derived from a variety of sources, synthetic biomedical materials are often cheaper and more readily available. However, synthetic biomedical materials do not have the same properties as natural materials, which means they may not be as effective when used in medical treatments. Biologically based biomaterials are more effective because they can mimic the properties of natural tissues. Their potential benefits make them a highly desired commodity in the healthcare industry across the global biomaterials market. In 2021 alone, sales of artificial joints were worth $2.2 billion, while sales of regenerative medicine products such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma were estimated to be worth $8.8 billion in the same year.

SkyQuest has done a detailed study on global biomaterials market and prepared a report that also covers current consumer base, potential demand for products, demand analysis by category and volume, expected growth, prominent growth factors, market dynamics, trends, opportunities, and innovation, among others.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://skyquestt.com/report/biomaterials-market

Top 4 Biomaterials in Global Market

1. Stem cells- Stem cells have become one of the most promising areas of biomaterial research because they can be modified to create a wide variety of tissue types, including cartilage, skin, and bone.

2. Chitosan- Chitosan is a natural polymer found in creatures ranging from crabs to shrimp, and it is prized for its ability to form strong and durable bonds with other materials.

3. Polycaprolactone- Polycaprolactone is a modified form cellulose that has been shown to have many potential biomedical applications, including as a replacement for hard tissues like heart valves and bones.

4. Mesenchymal stem cells- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult cells found in the connective tissue and skeletal muscles of mammals. MSCs have characteristics that make them especially effective at repairing tissues damaged by disease or injury, which is why they are commonly used in studies on regenerative therapies.

Recent Advancements in Biomaterials Market

Successful applications of biomaterials in disease treatment have made them a preferred choice for many medical procedures. For example, use of biomaterials for artificial heart valves has revolutionized the way these devices are operated and prevented heart failure in patients.

In addition, various biomaterials are being developed for use in regenerative medicine. For example, researchers in the global biomaterials market are exploring the possibilities of using nano-sized polymers to promote the growth of new tissue in injured or damaged tissues. This approach may prove to be an effective way to restore function to damaged organs and limbs.

Biomaterials are also being used to create new types of prosthetic devices. For example, doctors are currently testing a new type of artificial hip that uses a biocompatible material as its main component.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/biomaterials-market

SkyQuests report on global biomaterials market would help you in gaining insights about current developments and its impact on the overall market growth, pricing, demand and supply, change in growth strategies of existing players, among others. Also, the report would help in understanding how the market value is changing and affecting the forecast revenue over the period.

Top Players in the Global Biomaterials Market

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Cell Therapy Market

Global Flow Cytometry Market

Global Bioinformatics Market

Global Synthetic Biology Market

Global Biopharmaceutical Analytical Testing Services Market

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Global Biomaterials Market to Reach Value of $372.7 Billion by 2028 | Demand For Biomaterials in the Healthcare Industry will Grow by 53% Over the...

We are what we eat. And drink. And how we sleep, detox, and exercise or not.

Nothing new there. But in a world where new-to-market serums, creams, and spiritual berry tonics extracted by hand by Tibetan monks are in our (digital) face every day, were being presented with so many cool options on how to cleanse, moisturize, and treat wrinkles, lackluster skin, and hair that its next to impossible to keep up, let alone care for.

And while I wont be ditching my tried-and-true products any time soon, these newer, technologically advanced plant-based offerings are, in truth, quite effective. Products flooded with adaptogens help the body respond and adapt to various kinds of stress and inflammation. And how we weave them into our lifestyle regimens can be fun too.

Rather than barrage you with a ton of products, I thought a conversation regarding upcoming trends that embrace these new, full-circle, inside-and-out additions to our anti-aging routines is in order. We may have to look a little harder for these over-the-counter retail items, but not for long. Keep in mind that several of these brands combine two or three categories as ingestibles and topicals, which include CBD, functional mushrooms, and waterless skin care all of it nonpsychoactive, of course.

While recreational and medicinal marijuana are slowly becoming legal in more and more states, its tempting to get into the weeds with a cannabis/hemp/CBD tutorial. Lets simplify: it all comes from the same hemp plant thats loaded with restorative and preventative properties. CBD is legal (no high) and widely used for general to advanced wellness. Categories include singular isolates (113+ CBD extracts); broad spectrum (whole plant extract minus THC); and full spectrum (whole plant extract with less than 0.3 percent THC, the legal limit for all CBD products in the U.S.).

See the rest here:
A Groovy Guide to Anti-Aging Products With CBD and Mushrooms - Out Magazine

Figure 3. HSCs and restricted haematopoietic progenitors occupy distinct niches in the bone marrow

a. HSCs are found mainly adjacent to sinusoids throughout the bone marrow,,,, where endothelial cells and mesenchymal stromal cells promote HSC maintenance by producing SCF, CXCL12,,, and likely other factors. Similar cells may also promote HSC maintenance around other types of blood vessels, such as arterioles. The mesenchymal stromal cells can be identified based on their expression of Lepr-Cre, Prx1-Cre, Cxcl12-GFP, or Nestin-GFP transgene in mice and similar cells are likely to be identified by CD146 expression in humans. These perivascular stromal cells, which likely include Cxcl12-abundant Reticular (CAR) cells, are fated to form bone in vivo, express Mx-1-Cre and overlap with CD45/Ter119PDGFR +Sca-1+ stromal cells that are highly enriched for MSCs in culture. b. It is likely that other cells also contribute to this niche, likely including cells near bone surfaces in trabecular rich areas. Other cell types that regulate HSC niches include sympathetic nerves,, non-myelinating Schwann cells (which are also Nestin+), macrophages, osteoclasts, extracellular matrix ,, and calcium. Osteoblasts do not directly promote HSC maintenance but do promote the maintenance and perhaps the differentiation of certain lymphoid progenitors by secreting Cxcl12 and likely other factors,,,. Early lineage committed progenitors thus reside in an endosteal niche that is spatially and cellularly distinct from HSCs.

Read more from the original source:
The bone marrow niche for haematopoietic stem cells - PubMed

What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure performed to replace bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed by disease, infection, or chemotherapy. This procedure involves transplanting blood stem cells, which travel to the bone marrow where they produce new blood cells and promote growth of new marrow.

Bone marrow is the spongy, fatty tissue inside your bones. It creates the following parts of the blood:

Bone marrow also contains immature blood-forming stem cells known as hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs. Most cells are already differentiated and can only make copies of themselves. However, these stem cells are unspecialized, meaning they have the potential to multiply through cell division and either remain stem cells or differentiate and mature into many different kinds of blood cells. The HSC found in the bone marrow will make new blood cells throughout your lifespan.

A bone marrow transplant replaces your damaged stem cells with healthy cells. This helps your body make enough white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells to avoid infections, bleeding disorders, or anemia.

Healthy stem cells can come from a donor, or they can come from your own body. In such cases, stem cells can be harvested, or grown, before you start chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Those healthy cells are then stored and used in transplantation.

Bone marrow transplants are performed when a persons marrow isnt healthy enough to function properly. This could be due to chronic infections, disease, or cancer treatments. Some reasons for a bone marrow transplant include:

A bone marrow transplant is considered a major medical procedure and increases your risk of experiencing:

The above symptoms are typically short-lived, but a bone marrow transplant can cause complications. Your chances of developing these complications depend on several factors, including:

Complications can be mild or very serious, and they can include:

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. They can help you weigh the risks and complications against the potential benefits of this procedure.

There are two major types of bone marrow transplants. The type used will depend on the reason you need a transplant.

Autologous transplants involve the use of a persons own stem cells. They typically involve harvesting your cells before beginning a damaging therapy to cells like chemotherapy or radiation. After the treatment is done, your own cells are returned to your body.

This type of transplant isnt always available. It can only be used if you have a healthy bone marrow. However, it reduces the risk of some serious complications, including GVHD.

Allogeneic transplants involve the use of cells from a donor. The donor must be a close genetic match. Often, a compatible relative is the best choice, but genetic matches can also be found from a donor registry.

Allogeneic transplants are necessary if you have a condition that has damaged your bone marrow cells. However, they have a higher risk of certain complications, such as GVHD. Youll also probably need to be put onmedications to suppress your immune system so that your body doesnt attack the new cells. This can leave you susceptible to illness.

The success of an allogeneic transplant depends on how closely the donor cells match your own.

Prior to your transplant, youll undergo several tests to discover what type of bone marrow cells you need.

You may also undergo radiation or chemotherapy to kill off all cancer cells or marrow cells before you get the new stem cells.

Bone marrow transplants take up to a week. Therefore, you must make arrangements before your first transplant session. These can include:

During treatments, your immune system will be compromised, affecting its ability to fight infections. Therefore, youll stay in a special section of the hospital thats reserved for people receiving bone marrow transplants. This reduces your risk of being exposed to anything that could cause an infection.

Dont hesitate to bring a list of questions to ask your doctor. You can write down the answers or bring a friend to listen and take notes. Its important that you feel comfortable and confident before the procedure and that all of your questions are answered thoroughly.

Some hospitals have counselors available to talk with patients. The transplant process can be emotionally taxing. Talking to a professional can help you through this process.

When your doctor thinks youre ready, youll have the transplant. The procedure is similar to a blood transfusion.

If youre having an allogeneic transplant, bone marrow cells will be harvested from your donor a day or two before your procedure. If your own cells are being used, theyll be retrieved from the stem cell bank.

Cells are collected in two ways.

During a bone marrow harvest, cells are collected from both hipbones through a needle. Youre under anesthesia for this procedure, meaning youll be asleep and free of any pain.

During leukapheresis, a donor is given five shots to help the stem cells move from the bone marrow and into the bloodstream. Blood is then drawn through an intravenous (IV) line, and a machine separates out the white blood cells that contain stem cells.

A needle called a central venous catheter, or a port, will be installed on the upper right portion of your chest. This allows the fluid containing the new stem cells to flow directly into your heart. The stem cells then disperse throughout your body. They flow through your blood and into the bone marrow. Theyll become established there and begin to grow.

The port is left in place because the bone marrow transplant is done over several sessions for a few days. Multiple sessions give the new stem cells the best chance to integrate themselves into your body. That process is known as engraftment.

Through this port, youll also receive blood transfusions, liquids, and possibly nutrients. You may need medications to fight off infections and help the new marrow grow. This depends on how well you handle the treatments.

During this time, youll be closely monitored for any complications.

The success of a bone marrow transplant is primarily dependent on how closely the donor and recipient genetically match. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to find a good match among unrelated donors.

The state of your engraftment will be regularly monitored. Its generally complete between 10 and 28 days after the initial transplant. The first sign of engraftment is a rising white blood cell count. This shows that the transplant is starting to make new blood cells.

Typical recovery time for a bone marrow transplant is about three months. However, it may take up to a year for you to recover fully. Recovery depends on numerous factors, including:

Theres a possibility that some of the symptoms you experience after the transplant will remain with you for the rest of your life.

The rest is here:
Bone Marrow Transplant: Types, Procedure & Risks - Healthline

Cord blood banking can treat a wide range of illnesses. This type of blood contains high concentrations of special stem cells. The stem cells collected from the umbilical cord can assist with autoimmune disorders and other diseases. The process of cord blood banking often occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician-gynecologist takes blood from an umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. The cord blood is then collected and processed. Cord blood banking has the potential to save lives.

Collected cord blood treats many diseases. The diseases that cord blood is known to combat range from leukemia to sickle cell anemia. The cord blood often helps improve an individuals immune system and bone marrow. The blood thats found within the umbilical cord is considered special because it treats a wide range of illnesses. Although it tends to work best for the child and mother, the blood can also assist other people if the results from testing for matches prove beneficial. Collecting cord blood remains an excellent option for parents and people with histories of certain illnesses. Cord blood collection is recommended for people interested in taking a proactive approach to potential future illnesses. As the saying goes, health is wealth.

Collecting cord blood and cord tissue is important because the stem cells they contain can transform into other human cells. Stem cells offer flexibility and adaptability that can prove useful when treating certain cancers.

The stem cells collected from cord blood offer almost 10 times the number of stem cells that can be collected using alternative types of collection. The process of collecting stem cells from a clamped umbilical cord after birth is considered an easier process than collecting stem cells from bone marrow.

Stem cells collected from cord blood are viewed as more favorable than those collected from bone marrow because the stem cells from cord blood have a lower likelihood of passing on blood-borne illnesses.

Cord blood remains a scarce resource for both research and stem cell transplants because of a low and limited supply. The amount of cord blood that can be collected remains relatively low because only so much can be collected after birth.

The blood is drawn from a clamped umbilical cord after birth and placed into a sterile bag. Cord blood is tested before it is accepted by a cord blood bank. Not every unit of cord blood meets the specified criteria. For example, some units of cord blood are not deemed worth the resources to cryogenically save because they lack stem cells. The cord blood is examined to make sure that it is not contaminated and does not contain any potential diseases. Blood is also tested to know if it has a high-enough level of blood-forming cells. Such inspections help create safeguards for people interested in obtaining cord blood for treatment. Cord blood that does not meet the strict standards for transplant use can be used for research.

The process of collecting cord blood for public cord blood banks is often not possible with twins because they are often born much smaller than other babies in addition to often having less cord blood. Public banks typically do not allow collections from twin births. In contrast, private banks will store cord blood from twins for possible use by the family.

Private cord blood banks are an excellent option in case one of your children becomes sick. If one of your children becomes ill, then having saved their cord blood or cord tissue can boost their immune system or improve bone marrow. Having a childs previously saved cord blood from their umbilical cord improves the likelihood of a successful transplant. The blood fights certain cancers as well as specific blood disorders.

An additional benefit of cord blood banking is that other siblings and close family members can use the blood. Using the stem cells from a sibling can prove useful if one of your children develops a genetic disorder. For example, a person with a genetic disorder such as cystic fibrosis cannot be treated by their own cord blood. Cord blood collected from the siblings of that person can often be used to combat the disorder.

A public cord blood bank follows government regulations to protect the public from harm by maintaining certain set standards. The banks follow a wide range of regulations such as state laws and regulations in combination with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. If a collected unit or sample of cord blood does not meet the set standards, it is usually used for research or discarded.

Public cord blood banks allow individuals to obtain cord blood for uses such as stem cell transplants. Cord blood units collected and provided to a public cord blood bank are usually placed on a registry to more easily be matched with patients in need.

Cord blood is stored in a public or private cord blood bank with cryogenic preservation.

Some cord blood banks offer the option to preserve both cord blood and cord tissue to collect different types of cells. If possible, saving both the cord blood and cord tissue can help collect more cells for future use.

Private cord blood banks allow direct family members and approved individuals to access personally stored cord blood. In contrast, public cord blood banks collect donations of blood usually at no cost to the donor. The collections at a public bank are then accessible to members of the public on an as-needed basis for allogeneic transplants.

Private cord blood banks: Private cord blood banks allow people to save their childs cord blood and cord tissue for the future. They can be expensive for the initial setup, and they charge annual fees for cord blood storage. However, the benefits can outweigh the costs for parents with other children who have known illnesses that can be treated using cord blood. This type of banking ensures that a family maintains possession of their cord blood so that it can be used as needed by members of the specific family. The U.S. has over 25 private cord blood banks that families can use. If a family elects to use a private cord bank, then a medical carrier service will retrieve the cord blood from the hospital and transport it to the cord blood bank. The courier service assists in making transport more accessible to a wider range of families and eases the burden felt by new parents by checking off one activity from a new parents busy to-do list.

Public cord blood banks: Cord blood donations to public banks are frequently used for research. The banks also help people to obtain access to cord blood for transplants. Individuals donate their babys cord blood without charge, which provides other people the ability to receive much-needed treatment. Public cord banks located throughout North America allow more people to access these services.

Hybrid cord blood banks: Some banks offer public and private services. These banks store your childs blood for the future and accept cord blood donations for use by the public. Hybrid cord blood banks help people to access cord blood from various areas within the country as well as from the larger international cord blood banking system. Hybrid banks provide improved access to a wider range of available cord blood.

An autologous transplant or stem-cell transplant occurs when healthy stem cells from your body are used to help improve your bone marrow. Bone marrow can be found within your bones, and it helps to create red and white blood cells. An individual with weakened bone marrow faces life-threatening complications. An autologous transplant helps to address these concerns by placing previously removed stem cells back into your body.

The process is common for individuals that need cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. People who need chemotherapy will have some healthy stem cells removed and then undergo chemotherapy. Afterward, the healthy stem cells are replaced to help improve their bone marrow.

An autologous transplant shouldnt be confused with an allogeneic stem cell transplant. The main difference is that an allogeneic stem cell transplant comes from other people while an autologous stem cell transplant comes from yourself.

When researching cord blood banking, its common to have questions along the way. If you intend to give birth, consider the benefits of cord blood banking while speaking with the hospital and cord blood bank to understand the expected process. Ask about possible risks and prices before making a final decision.

Private cord blood banking can be expensive. One reason that cord blood banking has high costs is that its not usually covered by insurance. However, families with histories of certain illnesses have the possibility of getting a portion of the costs offset by insurance. Costs usually include initial storage fees, which are $1,000 or more, in addition to yearly storage fees. The storage fees range between $200 and $300 annually.

Not all hospitals offer cord blood banking procedures. The hospitals that do offer cord blood banking usually do not complete the banking procedure in-house. The hospitals and cord blood banks often work in tandem because the hospitals extract the cord blood from the umbilical cord while cord blood banks store the cord blood. See if the hospital youll be using provides the option of a cord blood procedure. Its common for a courier to transport the cord blood to a specified cord blood banking lab to complete the procedure.

Go here to see the original:
What is Cord Blood Banking? - Benzinga

What Are Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Why Are They Important? Hematopietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent cells found in the blood and bone marrow with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types during bone marrow hematopoiesis. Clinicians use HSCs to replace or repopulate a patients blood as a form of regenerative medicine. Research into HSC development and aging facilitates better in vitro HSC expansion and broadens their potential for disease treatment, enhancing their clinical therapeutic effects.

How Hematopoietic Stem Cells DevelopHSCs begin their development during embryogenesis in the dorsal aortic tissue and are additionally found in the placenta, yolk sac, and fetal liver. This fetal hematopoiesis process is necessary to produce the blood cells required for tissue development while generating a pool of undifferentiated HSCs. At birth, these HSCs migrate into and populate the newly-formed bone marrow and maintain a steady state of self-renewal and differentiation.1 HSCs function by producing red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells throughout life, maintaining their levels following bleeding and infection. HSCs generally give rise to partly differentiated but proliferative progenitors, which differentiate into mature cells. Because of this process, true HSCs are relatively rare in the human body.2

Using Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Research and TreatmentHematopoietic stem cell transplantsFor more than 60 years, hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) have been the most common form of HSC therapy, and are a standard option for treating hematologic malignancies, immunodeficiency, and defective hematopoiesis disorders. HSCs are now derived from multiple sources, such as peripheral and cord blood and bone marrow. Before transplantation, the receiving patient must undergo severe immunosuppressive procedures to prevent rejection of the new stem cells.3

Hematopoietic stem cell isolationThe most common HSC isolation method involves removing blood cells from plasma using density gradient centrifugation followed by magnetic bead isolation using the CD34+ surface marker, a general marker for all hematopoietic progenitors. Using flow cytometry, scientists sort specific HSC cell types based on common cell surface markers.4 Clinicians then intravenously infuse these cells into the receiver patients marrow where they engraft and repopulate the blood and immune system. In blood cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, restoration of the blood system by HSCT allows patients to receive high-dose chemotherapy treatments, ridding them of malignant cells. In patients with red blood cell conditions where continuous blood transfusions are not an option, such as thalassemia major, HSCT results in 80 percent disease-free survival.5

Hematopoietic stem cells in gene and tissue regeneration therapyBone marrow hematopoietic stem cells also differentiate into cells of other lineages, such as endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, neural cells, and hepatocytes, in a process called transdifferentiation. Because adult stem cells are rare, understanding the mechanisms behind HSC transdifferentiation could provide an additional source of tissue-specific multipotent cells and influence future clinical methods for tissue regeneration. HSCs can also help repair injured organs by releasing regenerative cytokines and recruiting cells to the damage site.5 Some of the latest advances in HSC therapeutic research involve using methods such as CRISPR for correcting genetically-defective HSCs. These methods will allow a patient to receive their own genetically-compatible (syngeneic) HSCs. These are called allogeneic transplants and are more effective at avoiding graft-versus-host disease, a condition where transplants from a donor are rejected by the recipients body, leading to an immune response against other tissues and organs. Creating genetically-corrected induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patient skin tissues and differentiating them into HSCs has also been an active area of research, although current methods remain costly and time-consuming.6 Further research is necessary to take advantage of these remarkable multipotent cells in disease therapies.

References

1. H.K. Mikkola, S.H. Orkin, The journey of developing hematopoietic stem cells, Development, 133(19):3733-44, 2006.

2. G.M. Crane et al., Adult haematopoietic stem cell niches, Nat Rev Immunol, 17(9):573-90, 2017.

3. S. Giralt, M.R. Bishop, Principles and overview of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Cancer Treat Res, 144:1-21, 2009.

4. B. Kumar, S.S. Madabushi, Identification and isolation of mice and human hematopoietic stem cells, Methods Mol Biol, 1842:55-68, 2018.

5. J.Y. Lee, S.H. Hong, Hematopoietic stem cells and their roles in tissue regeneration, Int J Stem Cells, 13(1):1-12, 2020.

6. S. Demirci et al., Hematopoietic stem cells from pluripotent stem cells: Clinical potential, challenges, and future perspectives, Stem Cells Transl Med, 9(12):1549-57, 2020.

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Brush Up: Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Their Role in Development and Disease Therapy - The Scientist

According to the National Cancer Institute, over 60,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia this year and 24.000 will die. The NCI explains, "There is no standard staging system for leukemia. The disease is described as untreated, in remission, or recurrent," and while there's no way to prevent the cancer, there are lifestyle choices like not smoking that help reduce the risk. Read on to learn what experts say about leukemia and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

The Mayo Clinic says, "Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many types of leukemia exist. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children. Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults. Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent infection fighters they normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly."

The National Cancer Institute says, "Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. In a person with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells don't die when they should. They may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for normal blood cells to do their work. The four main types of leukemia are:6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)"

The Cleveland Clinic explains, "Leukemia is often considered a childhood illness. Even though it is one of the most common childhood cancers, the blood disorder cancer actually affects far more adults. According to the National Cancer Institute, leukemia is most frequently diagnosed among people between the ages of 65 and 74 years. The median age at diagnosis is 66. There are treatment options for patients of all ages, include chemotherapy and blood transfusions."

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Leukemia symptoms vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:

The Mayo Clinic states, "Factors that may increase your risk of developing some types of leukemia include:

Heather Newgen

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Sure Signs You Have Leukemia, Say Physicians Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Zynteglo (betibeglogene autotemcel), the first cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia who require regular red blood cell transfusions.

Zynteglo is a one-time, single-dose gene therapy product. Each dose of Zynteglo is customized and created using the patient's own bone marrow stem cells, which are genetically modified to produce functional beta-globin. The application was granted a rare pediatric disease voucher, as well as priority review, fast-track, breakthrough therapy, and orphan designations.

The approval was based on two multicenter clinical studies. Of 41 patients receiving Zynteglo, 89 percent achieved transfusion independence, defined as maintaining a predetermined level of hemoglobin without needing any red blood cell transfusions for at least 12 months. The most common adverse reactions seen with Zynteglo included reduced platelet and other blood cell levels, mucositis, febrile neutropenia, vomiting, fever, alopecia, nosebleed, abdominal pain, musculoskeletal pain, cough, headache, diarrhea, rash, constipation, nausea, decreased appetite, pigmentation disorder, and itch.

Given the potential risk for blood cancer associated with this treatment, patients receiving Zynteglo should have their blood monitored for at least 15 years for evidence of cancer. The FDA says patients should also be monitored for hypersensitivity reactions during Zynteglo administration and for thrombocytopenia and bleeding.

Approval of Zynteglo was granted to bluebird bio.

More Information

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FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy for Beta-Thalassemia - HealthDay News

When World Series champion Matt Szczur joined a bone marrow registry in 2007 as a freshman in college, he didnt think much of it. At the time, Szczur (pronounced like Caesar) was playing football for Villanova University. His coach, the legendary Andy Talley, encouraged him to get involved with an organization called Be The Match. As its name implies, the group matches bone marrow donors with recipients and raises money to help those suffering from life-threatening blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, to provide necessary treatment.

I thought Id test [to be a match], and if I get a call, great, Szczur said in an interview with nft now. If not, it is what it is.

Fifteen years ago, the chances of matching a donor to a recipient were not what they are today. Bone marrow and cord blood unit donor-recipient pairing relies on matching human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, something a patients ethnic background plays a prominent role in predicting. The more people in the registry, the larger the chances are of finding matches for people in need.

Szczur put it out of his mind until the fall of 2009 when he got a call from the Be The Match registry telling him they had found a recipient for his bone marrow type. It was right in the middle of playoffs, Szczur continued. I went and spoke with Talley, and he put his head down and said, Matt, I know youre going to do the right thing.

That match was a young girl named Anastasia Volkovskaya from Ukraine, whose doctors diagnosed her with leukemia just three months after being born.Doctors told us that she needs a transplant, explained Volkovskayas father Ivan in an ESPN video on Szczurs journey to becoming a donor produced for the sports-magazine broadcast series E:60. But in Ukraine, they dont do this. They said, Deal with it.

Volkovskayas parents kept searching for ways to save their daughter, eventually finding a clinic in Israel that could provide the transplant if they could find a matching donor. They found one in Szczur who was a 100 percent match. On May 4, 2010, Szczur donated his bone marrow in a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) procedure, a non-surgical operation in which doctors separate a patients blood-forming cells from the rest of the blood for bone marrow transplants.

It would take a while before Szczur learned precisely to whom he had donated. Confidentiality practices keep donors from learning the identity of recipients they match with for at least a year after the procedure. It deeply moved him when he finally learned Anatasias identity and got in contact with her and her family.

I remember like it was yesterday when I got the email from Be The Match about who she was and where shes from, Szczur said. When I was finally able to get in contact with her it was very emotional. I now have a son whos three. I understood the importance of [donating] then, but now, you know, Id do anything in the world to help my son, and Im sure thats how [ Volkovskayas parents] felt.

Volkovskayas parents appreciation for what Szczur did knows no bounds. This man gave life not just to one kid, he gave life to a whole family, said Anatasias mother Marina in ESPNs E:60 video.

Throughout his life, Szczur has engaged with art in one way or another. Whether sitting next to his father as a child and watching him make colorful bucktails (anglers lures traditionally made from deer hair) or experimenting with painting as a way to decompress from the stresses of being an athlete, its a part of life from which he never liked to stray very far.

After going on to play for Major League Baseball and winning the World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, Szczur and his wife Natalie started a non-profit foundation dedicated to philanthropy and charity. To raise awareness for the foundation, Szczur decided to paint two self-portraits and auction them at an event the couple held in his hometown of Cape May, New Jersey. Both sold for $500. Cubs management later reached out to commission Szczur to make a painting of the teams World Series win, which the organization sold for $40,000.

Szczurs interest and involvement in NFTs would follow soon after. During the pandemic in 2020, fellow MLB player Micah Johnson reached out to Szczur to ask if he wanted to collaborate on an NFT project.I had read about the blockchain, but I had no idea what it was, Szczur said. I knew a little bit about Bitcoin, but Id never heard of Ethereum. I trusted Micah because he was a baseball player, and I knew he was a grinder. I respected him.

It doesnt get more real than someone who actually donated and saved the life of another human being.

Johnson suggested creating a portrait of George Floyd, and the two split the portrait in half, each depicting their side of Floyd in their own style. The limited edition piece sold out on Nifty Gateway in under six minutes, and the two used the funds raised from the painting to donate to initiatives dedicated to fighting injustices in the Black community.

Szczur has continued to expand into the world of crypto art, creating pieces that collectors can buy on OpenSea, Nifty Gateway, and SuperRare. His artwork frequently features bones and skeletons, which reflects the awareness hes trying to raise about bone marrow donations.

Having long wanted to work with Be The Match, Szczur found a golden opportunity to do so when a friend who had contacts at the bone marrow registry asked if he wanted to collaborate with the organization earlier this year.

Szczur and Be The Match are releasing two separate NFTs on Nifty Gateway in the coming days and weeks to raise awareness and money for the registry. The first is an open edition piece called Be The Match that drops on Friday, August 26, and will be available for sale for 48 hours. Editions start at $150 each. A second, limited-edition NFT drop will also be available through a 48-hour auction on Thursday, September 8, which Szczur says will be a different take on his previous skeleton and bone-themed NFT creations.

Half of all the proceeds from the NFT sales will go toward the Be The Match Foundation to help patients looking for a donor and add more potential donors to their registry.

This is Be The Matchs first experience in the NFT space, explained Alex Mensing, a Be The Match spokesperson in an interview with nft now. A partnership with Matt was a no-brainer. Hes been spreading awareness about bone marrow donations through his NFTs already, its something hes super passionate about. It doesnt get more real than someone who actually donated and saved the life of another human being. Thats our mission.

One of the reasons both Mensing and Szczur are excited to use NFTs as a way to spread awareness of the registry is because HLA types largely determine who can and cant match. The more diverse the registry, the greater the chances of those matches actually occurring.

I can say in all honesty that NFTs changed my life.

Right now, you see a disparity in the registry based on the ethnic diversity of the patient who is searching, elaborated Mensing. So today, a patient whos white or Caucasian has a 79 percent chance of finding a match on our registry. But Black or African American patient has only a 29 percent chance of finding a match. And so were doing a lot of recruitment to get more people to join the registry. And we have the most diverse registry in the world. Its just still not diverse enough to meet all of the patient need that exists.

Szczurs excitement for and dedication to the cause hes devoted the last decade to are admirable. Despite the maligned reputation people often attribute to NFTs and cryptocurrencies, hes adamant about their ability to do good in the world.

I can say in all honesty that NFTs changed my life, Szczur said. From top to bottom. I had no idea what I was going to do when I finished [playing] baseball. So, the transition from baseball to real life was helped so much by NFTs. I know people are skeptical about it, and they have the right to be. Cryptocurrency is so volatile. But they changed my life. Im grateful for the space.

The former MLB world champion is even more grateful for the chance to use the technology to spread awareness about a cause in which he firmly believes. His experience as a Be The Match donor is something he says will stick with him his entire life.

Theyre literally saving lives, Szczur emphasized. Everybody says theres no cure for cancer, but here we are doing this, and nobody really hears about it. So, I continue to push for this cure and for bone marrow awareness. I will continue to push this because I saw the impact that it had on my life and the impact it had on this familys life.

Those looking to support the foundations efforts and help save lives can add their names to Be The Matchs bone marrow registry here.

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A World Baseball Champion Is Using NFTs to Help Save Lives - nft now

Clogging a proteins active site is a straightforward way to take it offline. Thats why the active site is often the first place drug designers look when designing new drugs, Reich explained. However, about eight years ago he decided to investigate compounds that could bind to other sites in an effort to avoid off-target effects.

As the group was investigating DNMT3A, they noticed something peculiar. While most of these epigenetic-related enzymes work on their own, DNMT3A always formed complexes, either with itself or with partner proteins. These complexes can involve more than 60 different partners, and interestingly, they act as homing devices to direct DNMT3A to control particular genes.

Early work in the Reich lab, led by former graduate student Celeste Holz-Schietinger, showed that disrupting the complex through mutations did not interfere with its ability to add chemical markers to the DNA. However, the DNMT3A behaved differently when it was on its own or in a simple pair; it wasnt to stay on the DNA and mark one site after another, which is essential for its normal cellular function.

Around the same time, the New England Journal of Medicine ran a deep dive into the mutations present in leukemia patients. The authors of that study discovered that the most frequent mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients are in theDNMT3Agene. Surprisingly, Holz-Schietinger had studied the exact same mutations. The team now had a direct link between DNMT3A and the epigenetic changes leading to acute myeloid leukemia.

Reich and his group became interested in identifying drugs that could interfere with the formation of DNMT3A complexes that occur in cancer cells. They obtained a chemical library containing 1,500 previously studied drugs and identified two that disrupt DNMT3A interactions with partner proteins (protein-protein inhibitors, or PPIs).

Whats more, these two drugs do not bind to the proteins active site, so they dont affect the DNMT1 at work in all of the bodys other cells. This selectivity is exactly what I was hoping to discover with the students on this project, Reich said.

These drugs are more than merely a potential breakthrough in leukemia treatment. They are a completely new class of drugs: protein-protein inhibitors that target a part of the enzyme away from its active site. An allosteric PPI has never been done before, at least not for an epigenetic drug target, Reich said. It really put a smile on my face when we got the result.

This achievement is no mean feat. Developing small molecules that disrupt protein-protein interactions has proven challenging, noted lead authorJonathan Sandovalof UC San Francisco, a former doctoral student in Reichs lab. These are the first reported inhibitors of DNMT3A that disrupt protein-protein interactions.

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A new kind of chemo - University of California

Doctor with a cancer patient.

But, in order to defeat an enemy like cancer, you must first know more about it. Let's take a closer look at this dreadful disease.

Knowing the potential indicators of cancer is important regardless of your age or state of health. Symptoms are generally insufficient to diagnose the illness on their own. However, they may serve as hints for you and your physician to quickly identify and address the issue. Treatment for many types of cancer is most effective early on, when a tumor is tiny and the disease hasn't spread to other parts of the body.

The signs listed below are not exhaustive and do not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer. There are many common conditions that might share these symptoms. Visit your doctor as soon as possible so they can examine you more closely and take appropriate measures.

Cancer frequently exhibits the following symptoms in both men and women:

Artist's impression of cancer.

For men only, there are some sex-specific symptoms that could indicate the presence of cancer. For men, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most prevalent cancers that tend to develop.

Male cancer symptoms include:

Women, on the other hand, are more susceptible to some forms of cancer that are usually not expressed in males. Breast, lung, and colorectal cancer are some of the most common cancers in women, although men can also have these types of cancer. Cancers such as uterine, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers are particular to women.

Some of the warning signs for women include:

Every cancer starts in cells. More than a hundred billion billion (100,000,000,000,000) cells make up our bodies. Changes in one cell or a small number of cell can lead to the development of cancer.

Artistic impression of cancer cells.

When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. How much and how frequently cells divide is regulated by a number of factors, but sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn't. When cancer occurs, cells may begin to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way, resulting in the formation of a mass known as a tumor, if any of these signals are damaged or absent.

The primary tumor is where cancer first appears. Some cancers, like leukemia, attack different parts of the body; in this case, the cancer originates in blood cells. With leukemia, however, tumors do not grow in a clump. Instead, cancer cells accumulate in the blood and, occasionally, the bone marrow.

However, any cell is technically vulnerable to becoming cancerous. While the functions of various cell types in the body vary, their basic functions are pretty much alike.

Every cell has a nucleus, which serves as its command center. Chromosomes, which contain thousands of genes, are located inside the nucleus. Long strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are found in genes and serve as coded instructions for making proteins and other molecules.

Genes can be thought of as instructions for producing different products that the cells need. This may be a protein or regulatory molecules that help the cell assemble proteins. RNA. This process helps to control elements such as:

Genes ensure that cells develop and replicate (make copies) in an orderly and controlled manner, which is necessary to maintain the body's wellness.

When a cell divides, the genes can occasionally change. This is called a mutation. Ultimately, this means that a gene has been damaged or changed in some way.

A cell can randomly undergo a mutation while it is dividing. Some mutations result in the cell losing the ability to comprehend its own instructions. It might begin to outgrow control. One mutation is not generally enough to cause cancer. Usually, cancer occurs from multiple mutations over a period of time. That is one reason why cancer occurs more often in older people.

Gene mutations in a specific gene could signify that:

Cancer cells.

A damaged cell can take years to divide, grow, and develop into a tumor large enough to produce symptoms or be detected on a scan.

But what actually causes a cell's genes to mutate?

Since mutations can happen by chance when a cell is dividing, this can result in the cell becoming accidentally cancerous. But, mutations can also occur during the normal functions of cellular life.

Mutations can also be triggered by substances that enter the body from the outside, such as the substances in cigarette smoke. Sometimes, people also inherit genetic flaws that increase their risk of getting cancer.

Every day, some genes are damaged, but cells are quite good at fixing them. But the harm can worsen over time. Additionally, if cells develop too quickly, they are less able to repair the damaged genes and may be more prone to acquiring new mutations.

The first point to note is that not all cancers are fatal.

In England and Wales, for example, 50 out of every 100 (50%) people with cancer survive for ten years or more. In the UK, cancer survivorship is increasing and has doubled in the past 40 years. However, there is a huge variation in ten-year survival rates for different types of cancer, ranging from 98% for testicular cancer to just 1% for pancreatic cancer.

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These are some of the very worst cancers you could ever get - Interesting Engineering

AS one of the most common childhood cancers around, chances are you know what leukaemia is.

But can you actually name any of the symptoms associated with the deadly illness?

1

According to results of a recent survey, less than1 per cent of Britsare able to identify all four common symptoms of the cancer.

Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects people of all ages, with 10,000 people getting diagnosed in the UK every year.

Overall survival rate for the disease stands at just over 50 per cent, making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer.

However, a survey conducted by two cancer charities found that over two-fifths (42 per cent) of people cannot recognise any of the four most widely reported symptoms of the disease.

It also revealed that 43 per cent people wrongly think leukaemia is most common in the under 24s.

Common leukaemia signs and symptoms include:

Leukaemia a type of blood cancer that affects cells in bone marrow and attacks the immune system.

The most common symptoms are:

Other symptoms of leukaemia include:

Fiona Hazell, chief executive ofLeukaemia UK-- one of the charities who published the survey-- believe this mistaken belief could cost lives.

"In reality, both incidence and mortality rates rise sharply after the age of 55," she explained.

"Raising awareness in this age group is critical in order to treat it early and effectively; and ultimately to improve survival rates overall," she said.

Like with all cancers, catching leukaemia early means treatment is more likely to be successful.

In response to the survey results, Leukaemia UKand Leukaemia Care have together launched a new campaign -- called #SpotLeukaemia -- to make people more aware of the symptoms.

Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, chief executive ofLeukaemia Care also said the results of the survey were "extremely worrying."

"It's crucial that if you think you have fatigue, bruising or bleeding or repeated infections that you contact your GP and ask for a blood test. It's as simple as that," he said.

There are four main types of leukaemia.

They are:

Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL)-A rapidly progressing form of the disease.More common in children.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) -Rapidly progressive. More common in adults.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) -Slowly progressing form and more common in adults.

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) -Progresses slowly and is more common in adults.

Cancer types, signs and symptoms

Everything you need to know about different types of Cancer

Currently there are five ways leukaemia can be treated.

They are:

Chemotherapy-These are cell-killing drugs which kill and/or stop them from dividing. Chemotherapy is often given in blocks or cycles of treatment.One cycle of treatment will consist of a series of doses of chemotherapy followed by a break for the healthy cells to recover.

Radiation therapy -This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is not used to treat all types of leukaemia.

Targeted therapy -Drugs which specifically recognise and kill leukaemia cells.

Biological therapy -A treatment which uses the immune system to destroy leukaemia cells.

Stem cell transplant -Youngerpatients may be given a stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant). This may be done using your own healthy stem cells or stem cells from a donor. This is most commonly done for acute leukaemia if chemotherapy does not cure the disease.

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Urgent warning as millions of Brits dont know the key signs of deadly cancer... - The US Sun

A type of blood cell cancer called angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) can develop as mutations accumulate with age in the stem cells from which the T cells in the blood develop.

However, the underlying mechanism by which AITL develops was unknown. Now, a team from the University of Tsukuba in Japan have shown that B cells, another type of blood cells, accumulate mutations in genes that control how the genetic material in the cell is packaged. These aberrant B cells then interact with T cells and lead to the development of AITL.

The paper, Clonal germinal center B cells function as a niche for T-cell lymphoma, was published in the journal Blood.

Blood cells such as B cells and T cells, involved in immunity, develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Sometimes, mutations occur in individual stem cells that lead to the mutant stem cell giving an increased output of blood cells, all of which carry identical mutations.

The likelihood of this increases with age, known as age-related clonal hematopoiesis, or ACH. ACH is known to be linked to various cancers. AITL, a cancer of the T cells, is linked to ACH with mutations in a gene called TET2. The team used mouse models and human samples to show that theTET2 mutation needed to be present in all blood cells, not just the T cells, for a mouse model to develop AITL.

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, a technique that can show which genes are active within just one cell, they were able to profile the immune cells present in the samples. This revealed a significant increase in the number of aberrant germinal center B cells, a type of B cells with activating and proliferative capacities. These B cells showed recurrent mutations to genes for histone proteins, which organize the genetic material in the cell into higher structures. They also showed alterations to the pattern of a DNA modification called methylation, which affects the genes expressed in the cell.

B cells and T cells can interact through molecules on the cell surface known as CD40 and CD40 ligand.

Analysis of the single-cell sequencing data identified this interaction between CD40 and CD40 ligand as potentially essential for mediating crosstalk between the aberrant B cells and the tumor cells, said lead author Manabu Fujisawa.

Most importantly, the survival of the mice with AITL could be prolonged by treatment with an antibody designed to inhibit CD40 ligand, said main author Mamiko Sakata-Yanagimoto.

The genes expressed in the aberrant mouse GCB cells are also expressed in cells from human AITL withTET2 mutations.

This means that antibodies against CD40 ligand could potentially be a new therapeutic approach to human AITL.

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University of Tsukuba researchers understand the mechanism of AITL - Labiotech.eu

Certain patients with Wilm's tumor-expressing solid tumors are eligible to be treated with an investigational agent in a phase 1 clinical trial.

The first patient was dosed in a phase 1 dose escalation study (NCT05360680) which is evaluating CUE-102, of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) series, as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1)-positive recurrent/metastatic cancers. The study will focus on colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, according to a press release from Cue Biopharma.1

CUE-102 has the potential to activate the patients immune system against numerous WT1-expressing cancers, including solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, and has demonstrated selective and significant activation of WT1-specific T cells in preclinical studies. We believe that CUE-102 can play an important role in changing the treatment landscape for patients with WT1-positive cancers, by potentially delivering higher efficacy and lower toxicities than current available treatments, said Ken Pienta, MD, acting chief medical officer of Cue Biopharma, in a press release.

In a preclinical study of CUE-102 tested humans with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for cellular activity and specificity, while in vivo CUE-102 is testing in mice who are human leukocyte antigen HLA-A2 transgenic. Investigators found that CUE-102 both activates and expands WT1-specific CD8-positive T cells from PBMC of healthy donors. Similar to results seen with CUE-101, CUE-102 showed significant functional reduction of the IL-2 components.The in vivo study found CUE-102 expands polyfunctional WT1-specific CD8-positive T cells from mice who were nave and previously immunized, but the treatment did not alter the frequencies of other immune lineages.The in vivo study also found the WT1-specific CD8-positive T cells had a polyfunctional response to peptide-loaded target cells and selectively killed WT1-presenting target cells.These results, along with a tolerable safety profile, support the initiation of the phase 1 trial of CUE-102.2

This phase 1 study aims to find the dose-limiting toxicity and maximum-tolerated dose of CUE-102. The secondary end points include safety and tolerability, antitumor response rate, antitumor duration of response, antitumor clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The dose escalation portion of the trial will administer CUE-102 in intravenous doses of 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, and an experimental recommended phase 2 dose every 3 weeks for up to 2 years.3

Eligible patients in this phase 1 study will include patients who have colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, or ovarian cancer who have an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1, a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks, have a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 genotype as determined by genomic testing, and tumors who are WT1-positive. Patients will be deemed ineligible if patients with central nervous system metastases have been treated and be asymptomatic, have a history of prior allogeneic bone marrow, stem cell, or solid organ transplant, treatment with radiation therapy within 14 days before the first dose of CUE-102, and a history of clinically significant cardiovascular disease.3

Initiating this phase 1 clinical study of CUE-102 at a starting dose of 1mg/kg, a clinically active dose in our Phase 1 CUE-101 clinical trial for HPV+ head and neck cancer, is an important step forward in demonstrating the modularity of our Immuno-STAT platform and the broader clinical potential of our CUE-100 series of biologics, said Dan Passeri, chief executive officer of Cue Biopharma, in the press release. We believe, given the preservation of the core molecular framework between CUE-102 and CUE-101 with the primary exception of the tumor-specific epitope, initiating the dose escalation trial at 1 mg/kg will result in reduced time and cost to evaluate tolerability at therapeutically active doses.

References

1. Cue biopharma doses first patient in phase 1 study of CUE-102 for Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) - expressing cancers. Press release. Cue Biopharma; August 22, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2022. https://www.cuebiopharma.com/investors-media/news/

2. Zhang C, Girgis N, Merazga Z, et al. 720CUE-102 selectively activates and expands WT1-specific T cells for the treatment of patients with WT1+ malignancies. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. 2021;9:doi: 10.1136/jitc-2021-SITC2021.720

3. A phase 1 in patients with HLA-A*0201+ and WT1+ recurrent/metastatic cancers. ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated July 7, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT05360680?term=NCT05360680&draw=2&rank=1&view=recor

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Phase 1 Trial of CUE-102 in WT1+ Solid Tumors is Now in Motion - Targeted Oncology

MIAMI, Aug. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LongeveronInc. (NASDAQ: LGVN),a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for chronic, aging-related and life-threatening conditions, today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a notice of its intent to grant the Company a patent (EP Application No. 15861319.0) related to methods to treat endothelial dysfunction and monitor the efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal cell therapies, also known as medicinal signaling cells (MSCs). The cells are administered to patients with cardiovascular disease through the monitoring of a protein, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which is a signal protein produced by many cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels.

We are extremely pleased to receive this notice from the European patent office, said Chris Min, M.D., Ph.D., Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer at Longeveron. This patent will bolster our robust intellectual property portfolio and support our goal of delivering effective cell therapies for a range of aging-related and life-threatening conditions.

The patent is titled Methods for Monitoring Efficacy of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in a Subject. Longeverons lead investigational product is Lomecel-B, a cell therapy product derived from MSCs. Many of Longeverons clinical studies point to Lomecel-B exerting effects through pro-vascular functions and/or reducing endothelial dysfunction, a condition where the lining of blood vessels is abnormal leading to diminished health of blood vessels and blood flow regulation.

The Company is evaluating the use of MSCs to treat several indications, including Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect that affects approximately 1,000 babies per year. Longeveron received both a Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2021 for Lomecel-B for the treatment of infants with HLHS. Longeveron is currently evaluating Lomecel-B for HLHS in a Phase 2a trial.

Longeveron is also conducting a trial of Lomecel-B in patients with Alzheimers Disease in the US and for aging frailty in Japan.

Now that the European Patent Office has issued an Intention to Grant, Longeveron will await grant of the patent and then begin the process of registering the patent in a number of nation members of the European Patent Organization. In those jurisdictions where the patent is registered, the patent is expected to expire in November of 2035.

About Longeveron Inc.

Longeveron is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for specific aging-related and life-threatening conditions. The Companys lead investigational product is the Lomecel-B cell-based therapy product, which is derived from culture-expanded medicinal signaling cells (MSCs) that are sourced from bone marrow of young, healthy adult donors. Longeveron believes that by using the same cells that promote tissue repair, organ maintenance, and immune system function, it can develop safe and effective therapies for some of the most difficult disorders associated with the aging process and other medical disorders. Longeveron is currently sponsoring Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in the following indications: Alzheimers disease, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Aging Frailty, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Additional information about the Company is available at http://www.longeveron.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect management's current expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future performance and economic conditions, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expects," "may," "looks to," "will," "should," "plan," "intend," "on condition," "target," "see," "potential," "estimates," "preliminary," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy or goals or other future events, circumstances, or effects. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of Longeverons clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of the Companys product candidates, and other positive results; the timing and focus of the Companys ongoing and future preclinical studies and clinical trials and the reporting of data from those studies and trials; the size of the market opportunity for the Companys product candidates, including its estimates of the number of patients who suffer from the diseases being targeted; the success of competing therapies that are or may become available; the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy and therapeutic effects of the Companys product candidates; the Companys ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of its product candidates; the Companys plans relating to the further development of its product candidates, including additional disease states or indications it may pursue; existing regulations and regulatory developments in the U.S., Japan and other jurisdictions; the Companys plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, including extensions of existing patent terms where available and its ability to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of others; the need to hire additional personnel and the Companys ability to attract and retain such personnel; the Companys estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; the Companys need to raise additional capital, and the difficulties it may face in obtaining access to capital, and the dilutive impact it may have on its investors; the Companys financial performance, and the period over which it estimates its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its future operating expenses and capital expenditures requirements. Further information relating to factors that may impact the Company's results and forward-looking statements are disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Longeverons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022, and the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation, other than imposed by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Elsie YauStern IR, Inc.212-698-8700elsie.yau@sternir.com

More:
Longeveron Receives Intent to Grant Notice from the European Patent Office for Methods to Monitor Efficacy of Lomecel-B - BioSpace

New York, Aug. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kenneth Research has published a detailed market report on Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market for the forecast period, i.e., 2022 2031, which includes the following factors:

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Size:

The global cell banking outsourcing market generated the revenue of approximately USD 7200.1 million in the year 2021 and is expected to garner a significant revenue by the end of 2031, growing at a CAGR of ~18% over the forecast period, i.e., 2022 2031. The growth of the market can primarily be attributed to the development of advanced preservation techniques for cells, and increasing adoption of regenerative cell therapies for the treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer. Additionally, factors such as growing demand for gene therapy, and increasing worldwide prevalence of cancer are expected to drive the market growth. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 10 million people died of cancer across the globe in 2020. The most recurrent cases of deaths because of cancer were lung cancer which caused 1.80 million deaths, colon, and rectum cancer which caused 916 000 deaths, liver cancer which caused 830 000 deaths, stomach cancer which caused 769 000 deaths, and breast cancer which caused 685 000 deaths. Furthermore, it was noticed that about 30% of cancer cases in low and lower-middle income nations are caused by cancer-causing diseases such the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis.

Get a Sample PDF of This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10070777

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market: Key Takeaways

Increasing Geriatric Population across the Globe to Boost Market Growth

Increasing demand for stem cell therapy, and increasing biopharmaceutical production are estimated to fuel the growth of the global cell banking outsourcing market. Among the geriatric population around the world, the demand of stem cell therapy is at quite a high rate. Hence, growing geriatric population across the globe is also expected be an important factor to influence the market growth. According to the data by World Health Organisation (WHO), the number and proportion of geriatric population, meaning the people aged 60 years and older in the population is rising. The number of people aged 60 years and older was 1 billion in 2019. This number is estimated to increase to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050.

In addition to this, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, supportive initiatives by governments around the world, and growing awareness about stem cell banking are predicted to be major factors to propel the growth of the market. The growth of the global cell banking outsourcing market, over the forecast period, can be further ascribed to the rising investments in the R&D activities to continuously bring up more feasible solutions for medical procedures. According to research reports, since 2000, global research and development expenditure has more than tripled in real terms, rising from approximately USD 680 billion to over USD 2.5 trillion in 2019.

Browse to access In-depth research report on Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market with detailed charts and figures: https://www.kennethresearch.com/report-details/cell-banking-outsourcing-market/10070777

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market: Regional Overview

The global cell banking outsourcing market is segmented into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa region.

Advanced Healthcare Facilities Drove Market in the North America Region

The market in the North America region held the largest market share in terms of revenue in the year 2021. The growth of the market in this region is majorly associated with the increasing number of pharmaceutical companies & manufacturers in the region, and increasing awareness for the use of stem cells as therapeutics. Increasing number of bone marrow and cord blood transplants throughout the region is also estimated to positively influence the market growth. It was noted that, 4,864 unrelated and 4,160 related bone marrow and cord blood transplants were performed in the United States in 2020.

Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases to Influence Market Growth in the Asia Pacific Region

On the other hand, market in the Asia Pacific region is estimated to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The market in this region is driven by the increasing investment in biotechnology sector by government and private companies specifically in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Moreover, the increasing pool of patient with chronic diseases, such as cancer, and the ongoing research & development activities for cancer treatment is expected to propel the growth of the market. Further, increasing percentage of regional health expenditure contributing to the GDP is also estimated to be a significant factor to influence the growth of the cell banking outsourcing market in the Asia Pacific region. As per The World Bank, in the year 2019, share of global health expenditure in East Asia & Pacific region accounted to 6.67% of GDP.

Get a Sample PDF of the Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10070777

The study further incorporates Y-O-Y growth, demand & supply and forecast future opportunity in:

Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa).

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market, Segmentation by Bank Phase

The bank storage segment held the largest market share in the year 2021 and is expected to maintain its share by growing with a notable CAGR during the forecast period. The market growth is anticipated to be driven by the development of effective preservation technologies such as cryopreservation technique. Cryopreservation is a technique in which low temperature is used to preserve the living cells and tissue for a longer time. With the growing healthcare expenditure per capita across the world, demand for bank storage increasing notably. As sourced from The World Bank, in 2019, worldwide health expenditure per capita was USD 1121.97.

Access full Report Description, TOC, Table of Figure, Chart, etc. @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10070777

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market, Segmentation by Product

The adult cell banking segment is estimated to hold a substantial market share in the global cell banking outsourcing market during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the significant prevalence of chronic diseases among the adults around the globe. For instance, according to the National Library of Medicine 71.8% of adult population suffered from cardiovascular diseases, 56% had diabetes, and 14.7% adults had arthritis as of 2020.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market, Segmentation by Cell Type

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market, Segmentation by Bank Type

Few of the well-known market leaders in the global cell banking outsourcing market that are profiled by Kenneth Research are SGS SA, WuXi AppTec, LifeCell International Pvt. Ltd., BSL Bioservice, LUMITOS AG, Cryo-Cell International, Inc., REPROCELL Inc, CORDLIFE GROUP LIMITED, Reliance Life Sciences, and Clean Biologics and others.Enquiry before Buying This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10070777

Recent Developments in the Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market

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Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market to Grow at a CAGR of ~18% during 2022-2031; Market to Expand Owing to the Development of Advanced Cell...

MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a decrease in transplantation in 2020, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Surgery.

Alejandro Suarez-Pierre, M.D., from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, and colleagues examined adult transplantation data as time series data in a population-based cohort study. Models of transplantation rates were developed using data from 1990 to 2019 to project the expected 2020 rates in a theoretical scenario in which the pandemic did not occur. Observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios were calculated for transplants.

The researchers found that 32,594 transplants were expected in 2020, but 30,566 occurred (O/E, 0.94; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.88 to 0.99). A total of 50,241 waitlist registrations occurred compared with 58,152 expected (O/E, 0.86; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.94). For kidney, liver, heart, and lung, the O/E ratios (95 percent confidence intervals) of transplants were 0.92 (0.86 to 0.98), 0.96 (0.89 to 1.04), 1.05 (0.91 to 1.23), and 0.92 (0.82 to 1.04), respectively. The corresponding O/E ratios (95 percent confidence intervals) of waitlist registrations were 0.84 (0.77 to 0.93), 0.95 (0.86 to 1.06), 0.99 (0.85 to 1.18), and 0.80 (0.70 to 0.94).

"The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant deficit in solid organ transplantation, donation, and waitlist registrations in the United States in 2020. The impact was strongest in kidney transplantation and waitlist registration," the authors write. "While the pandemic persisted through 2020, the transplant system adapted remarkably well with a record number of transplantations performed."

Abstract/Full Text

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Drop Seen in Transplantation in 2020 With COVID-19 Pandemic - Consumer Health News | HealthDay - HealthDay News

An American Heart Association fellowship will allow a Binghamton graduate student to further her research in developing 3D heart models. Natalie Weiss is interested in the pharmaceutical implications for treating cardiac fibrosis, an abnormal thickening and scarring of heart tissue that is common with many types of heart diseases and conditions.

The AHA is such a big and well-respected organization, so it is a nice validation to see that they value my research and ideas, said Weiss, a biomedical engineering doctoral student from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science who received a competitive two-year pre-doctoral fellowship.

Weiss conducts her work in the lab of Tracy Hookway, assistant professor of biomedical engineering. The team uses cell culture, 3D modeling of stem cells and live imaging of tissue for regenerative medicine therapy.

Natalie has been a huge asset to my lab, Hookway said. Shes incredibly intelligent and very ambitious, and shes not afraid to ask questions.

Weiss research involves creating working models of human hearts and then testing various drugs and therapies with the goal of resolving or improving cardiac fibrosis. She uses stem cells derived from human skin to make heart muscle cells and then combines them with proteins, sugars and a gel polymer, which is then piped into a 3mm donut ring mold (of sorts). The process takes about a week and a half, but once the cells are added to the mold, the ring forms overnight into a simplified, beating human heart model.

By testing on these models, it saves time, money and testing on animals, Weiss said, adding that she often has 40 rings going at a time. What Im hoping to do, once the models are a little more advanced, is replicate the stiffness of cardiac fibrosis in the model and then test a couple of drugs and see if it responds in a positive way.

As a high school student in East Meadow, Long Island, Weiss knew she was interested in the medical field. She volunteered in an emergency room and got her EMT certification.

Ive also always loved problem solving taking things apart and figuring out how they worked, she said. I wasnt aware I could put those two interests together until a biomedical engineering major kept popping up again and again as I was researching college programs.

She received her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering at Stony Brook University in 2019, and then started her graduate career at Binghamton that fall. She selected the program because she was impressed with Hookway, who would become her advisor.

I wanted someone who I can connect with, Weiss said. Dr. Hookway really seemed like someone who would advocate for her students, so I knew she was going to care about my progress and help me out.

Once Weiss completes her doctorate, she hopes to complete a post-doctoral fellowship and then become a professor and run her own research lab.

This article was originally published in Discover-e.

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Heart Association fellowship to support research - Binghamton