SUNRISE, Fla., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced today that Kristin Comella, the company's Chief Science Officer presented at the 10th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Yokohama, Japan June 13 - 16, 2012. One of the world's premier stem cell research events, the ISSCR format includes international research and poster presentations from invited speakers, exceptional peer-to-peer learning and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Comella presented a poster on clinical applications of adipose or fat derived stem cells (ADSCs).

The ISSCR annual meeting serves as the largest forum for stem cell and regenerative medicine professionals from around the world. Through lectures, symposia, workshops, and events attendees experience innovative stem cell and regenerative medicine research, advances and what's on the horizon. The meeting features more than 1,000 abstracts, nearly 150 speakers and provides numerous networking and professional development opportunities and social events. For additional information, visit http://www.isscr.org.

Kristin Comella has over 14 years experience in corporate entities with expertise in regenerative medicine, training and education, research, product development and senior management including more than 10 years of cell culturing experience. She has made a significant contribution to Bioheart's product development, manufacturing and quality systems since she joined the company in September 2004.

About Bioheart, Inc.

Bioheart is committed to maintaining its leading position within the cardiovascular sector of the cell technology industry delivering cell therapies and biologics that help address congestive heart failure, lower limb ischemia, chronic heart ischemia, acute myocardial infarctions and other issues. Bioheart's goals are to cause damaged tissue to be regenerated, when possible, and to improve a patient's quality of life and reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

Specific to biotechnology, Bioheart is focused on the discovery, development and, subject to regulatory approval, commercialization of autologous cell therapies for the treatment of chronic and acute heart damage and peripheral vascular disease. Its leading product, MyoCell, is a clinical muscle-derived cell therapy designed to populate regions of scar tissue within a patient's heart with new living cells for the purpose of improving cardiac function in chronic heart failure patients. For more information on Bioheart, visit http://www.bioheartinc.com, or visit us on Facebook: Bioheart and Twitter @BioheartInc.

Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical matters contained herein, statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "to," "plan," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2012.

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Bioheart's Chief Science Officer Kristin Comella Presents at 10th Annual Meeting of International Society for Stem ...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/skdhnn/translational_rege) has announced the addition of the "Translational Regenerative Medicine - Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features Innovative Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Applications" report to their offering.

More Guidelines Needed to Grow Regenerative Medicine Market, Report Finds

Standardized research guidelines are needed to control and encourage the development of gene therapy and stem cell treatments, according to a new report by healthcare experts GBI Research.

The new report* shows how regenerative medicine is seen as an area with high future potential, as countries need ways to cope with the burden of an aging population.

The stem cell market alone is predicted to grow to around $5.1 billion by 2014, while gene therapy has also shown promise despite poor understanding of some areas of regenerative medicine and a lack of major approvals (the only approvals to date being made in Asia).

Up until now, securing research within clinics has been difficult, with a high number of failures and discontinuations throughout all phases of clinical study. Stem cell therapy uses bone marrow transplants as an established treatment method, but the development of the therapy into further applications and has not yet become common practice.

Similarly, tissue engineering has been successful in the areas of skin and bone grafts, but translation into more complex therapies has been an issue for researchers. Although scientific possibilities are ever-increasing, the true potential of regenerative medicine has yet to be demonstrated fully.

A desire to discover new and innovative technologies has encouraged governments in the UK and Singapore to focus directly on regenerative medicine as a future potential economy booster.

Companies Mentioned:

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Research and Markets: Translational Regenerative Medicine - Oncology, CNS and Cardiovascular-Rich Pipeline Features ...

BANGALORE, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Adding an impetus to the already existing image of Bangalore being a healthcare destination of India, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur (CARHY), announced comprehensive bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) service on Thursday. This facility will give hope to many cancer patientsin and around Bangalore as there are very few hospitals in South India providing allogeneic transplant, which involves using stem cellsfrom a donor with a similar genetic makeup.

The bone marrow transplant (BMT) service will have a team of medical experts including clinical hematologist, oncologist, and other qualified doctors from allied specialties like pediatrics, infectious disease specialist and trained nurses for stem cell transplant, state-of-the-art HEPA filtered room, ICU, 24 hrs blood bank services and radiology services for providing comprehensive care during stem cell transplant.

Addressing the media, Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Chairman and Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia Hospitals,said, "We are happy to announce allogenic bone marrow transplant service at our hospital in Yeshwanthpur, over and above the existing autologous transplant service. This will enhance comprehensive bone marrow transplant treatment delivery; a dire need for the people of Karnataka and neighbouring states. This will also help many international patients who look for such a treatment in India."

"This facility is dedicated to providing end-to-end services including expert counsel from a clinical hematologist and an entire team of doctors and nurses providing the latest in medical advances to those suffering from blood cancer and some non-cancerous conditions affecting thebone marrow," said Dr. Satish, Consultant in Clinical Hematology, Columbia Asia Hospitals.

"Bone marrow transplant, also called hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), is a treatment optionfor certain cancers. With this launch, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur becomes one among the very few centers in India to offer allogeneic bone marrow transplants. Till now, we were doing only autologous transplants which involved the usage of the patient's own stem cells. Now, we will be able to manage conditions like high risk leukemia's, myelomas and lymphomas," said Dr Satish.

"Some of the most effective treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation are toxic to the bone marrow.The marrow produces different cells that make up the blood such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The stem cells from the bone marrow are extracted before the administration of high dose chemotherapy and then reintroduced or transplanted to the patient so that blood cell production process is re-established in the bone marrow," addedDr Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Medical Oncology, Columbia Asia Hospitals.

In fact earlier stem cells were collected only from the bone marrow in the hip bones under general anesthesia. However with advanced technology and medical supervision stem cells can now be collected from peripheral blood after giving injections. Stem cells are then harvested by simple procedure called apheresis, (in the same way as dialysis is done) and the rest of the blood is returned to the person.

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Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwantpur Announces a Comprehensive Bone Marrow Transplant Service

HAWAII KAI (HawaiiNewsNow) -

Cutting-edge technology is helping Hawaii's pets live better lives for months, even years. We were there as a beloved dog named Kumba received one of the first-ever, in-clinic stem cell therapy surgeries in the islands.

13 year old Kumba doesn't know he's a guinea pig. The Rottweiler-Lab mix is one of the first in Hawaii to undergo the stem cell procedure at Surf Paws in Hawaii Kai.

Kumba suffers severe arthritis in his hips and knees, doesn't eat much, and is even a bit depressed. "It's an effort for him to get up off the floor, and when he gets up and crosses the room, you can see the stiffness," says his owner, Rumi Hospodar.

Kumba's kids learn some of details of his surgery. Then, he's moved to a table and nods off from anesthesia. Once he's prepped, the procedure begins. The vet removes about two tablespoons of fat tissue from Kumba's shoulder. From there, the stem cells are separated from the fat and activated. Then, they're injected back into the affected areas.

The entire process takes four hours, but the dog is actually only under for about 20 minutes. Surf Paws used to send the tissue to the mainland for processing, but with technology from Medi-Vet America, they can do it all here.

"The patient had to be, you know, go home and come back a few days later and the timing was a little bit difficult. Now, everything is same day," says Surf Paws veterinarian Dr. Cristina Miliaresis.

Cost depends on the size of animal but can run up to $2,800. It's mainly done on dogs, cats, and horses who suffer osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament and cartilage damage, and other degenerative diseases. Their quality of life can improve within a couple of weeks.

Dr. Miliaresis says, "Some people might say, 'Oh, the dog's 13. Why are you doing this for a 13 year old dog? But even 6 months, pain-free, after a very, it's not simple, but it's a pretty straightforward procedure, to me (would be) just amazing."

The techs move all 97 pounds of Kumba to post-op - while his anxious owner looks on.

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Stem cell therapy in Hawaii going to the dogs

RIO DE JANEIRO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cryopraxis established in 2001 as the pioneer private umbilical cord blood bank in Brazil will be present at Bio 2012 in Boston. Eduardo Cruz, chairman of the board, will be a speaker at the Brazilian break-out session speaking about The Brazilian Biotechnology Sector and showing the results of the company's commitment to R&D. Cryopraxis has already collected and processed more than 25000 cord blood units (CBU) and is actively involved in several R&D projects in Brazil and abroad.

A spin-off of Cryopraxis, Cellpraxis, has recently finished one of the world's first cell therapy project clinical trials in Brazil: ReACT. ReACT is a stem cell formulation. This regenerative medicine pioneer product aims on treating an orphan disease condition called refractory angina. Refractory angina patients suffer from untreatable severe chest pain and the results of the clinical trial in a 5 years follow up proved ReACT to positively interfere in the course of the pathology. Most of the individuals treated experienced relief in pain and better quality of life. ReACT will be presented at Bio2012 as an example of Brazil's dynamic biotechnology research.

Cryopraxis is accredited by the American Association of Blood Bank since 2009.

According to Tatiana Lima, Technical Director at Cryopraxis, "extensive training and strict adherence to good laboratory practices are basic principles in Cryopraxis' corporate strategy." Janaina Machado, cell lab director describes the company's primary mission: "maximizing safety and efficiency of collection procedures to make sure our clients get what they look for: the highest quality standards."

Cryopraxis is part of Axis Biotec (www.axisbiotec.com.br) and it has the largest biological cryogenic storage facility in Brazil and one of the largest in the World. It is the largest umbilical cord blood bank in Brazil. The company is involved in several research projects in Brazil and abroad.For more information, visitwww.cryopraxis.com.brand http://www.cellpraxis.com

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Cryopraxis, Sponsor of Stem Cell Research is Represented at Bio2012 in Boston

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Monday announced $9.8 million in grants to 19 stem cell research projects in the state. The Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee had selected the recipients at its grant review meeting last Tuesday in Farmington.

"Connecticut's continued support of stem cell research has allowed for exciting and innovative research to take place right here in our state," Malloy said in a statement. "The research projects funded by these grants allow scientists to do revolutionary work that puts Connecticut at the forefront of bioscience industry."

Of the 19 grants, 13 grants totaling $7.25 million were awarded to Yale scientists, five went to University of Connecticut researchers, and one went to a collaboration between Wesleyan and UConn scientists.

The largest grant, $1.8 million, was awarded to D. Eugene Redmond of Yale. Redmond has focused on cellular repair in the nervous system and how it relates to Parkinson's disease.

UConn's Stormy Chamberlain, an assistant professor of genetics and developmental biology at the UConn Health Center, received a $450,000 grant to develop new therapies for Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman Syndrome, both rare genetic disorders. Children born with Prader-Willi Syndrome have difficulty feeding and develop poor muscle tone, and starting about age 2, they develop an insatiable appetite that lasts for their lifetime. People with Angelman Syndrome suffer speech difficulties, seizures, problems with motor control and balance, and serious intellectual disabilities

Although Chamberlain generally focuses on Angelman Syndrome, the three-year project also will include Prader-Willi because the causes of the two disorders are similar. Angelman Syndrome is caused by the deletion of genes on a certain chromosome on the mother's side, while Prader-Willi Syndrome is caused by the deletion of genes in same chromosome on the father's side.

Chamberlain estimates that she's one of 30 researchers in the U.S. who studies Angelman Syndrome.

"The state funding really helps rare diseases because the foundations that typically fund their research are limited," she said, adding that support often is limited to fundraisers organized by families of those with the conditions.

A stem cell education outreach program, run by Laura Grabel, a professor of biology at Wesleyan, and Ren-He Xu, a professor of genetics at UConn, received $500,000. Grabel said the program, which has been in operation since 2006, holds workshops and retreats for stem cell researchers and educates the general public by sending speakers to schools and various organizations. The program also has representatives speak to high school science teachers about incorporating stem cell science in their curricula.

Although the program was started partly because of the controversy over the use of stem cells, Grabel said "we've seen very little pushback it's been very positive."

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State Awards $9.8 Million For Stem Cell Projects

17-06-2012 23:59 Gary B Stem Cell Therapy for CMT Part 2 - For more info. visit

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Stem Cell Therapy for CMT-Gary B-part 2.mp4 - Video

A FAMILY is waiting anxiously to see whether a bone marrow transplant, made possible by a rare prison transfer, has saved a boy's life.

Gao Yong, who began a 10-year sentence for burglary in 2005, was allowed to travel to donate bone marrow stem cells for his nine-year-old son, Jun Jie, who has leukemia.

Gao, who had been serving his sentence in east China's Zhejiang Province, was transferred to a prison in southwest Guizhou Province to be closer to the Xinqiao Hospital in Chongqing where Jun Ji had been taken after all possible treatments in his hometown of Zunyi in Guizhou had been exhausted.

Jun Jie was diagnosed with leukemia around the end of 2011.

Doctors at Xinqiao said Jun Jie required a bone marrow transplant, but tests showed none of his other family members were a match. His only hope was his father.

In February, after a blood sample was sent to the jail holding Gao some two hours away by air, good news came back - they matched.

Too weak to travel

"At that time, Jun Jie had become too weak to travel, so I went to judicial departments both in Zhejiang and Guizhou to persuade them to transfer his father to the Xinqiao Hospital,'' his mother Luo Jing said.

In March, Gao was transferred to the prison in Guizhou to prepare for the operation. On June 9, 10 officers escorted Gao to Chongqing.

It is very rare for a prisoner to come out of their assigned jail for as long as a week, noted the head of the escort team.

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Eastday-Rare jail move to save a son

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sistemic Ltd., a leading provider of microRNA-based problem-solving services and kit-based products to the Cell Therapy community, announced today that chairman and CEO Jim Reid is moderating a panel discussion at the 2012 Bio International Convention on Wednesday, June 20, in Boston. Featuring leaders from the regenerative medicine space, the panel is titled Stem Cell Therapies Fact or Fiction, and will share the lessons learned to-date from Scottish, European and American perspectives on the path to successfulcommercialization of stem cell therapies.

Jim Reid, Sistemic CEO, commented, "Sistemic is very active in the CellTherapyarena and aremembersof Alliance for Advanced Therapies (AAT) and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). We see the ability to raise this topic at the leading world event, BIO 2012, as animportantstep on the path to commercialization of these products which will be transformational in healthcare, and bring hope and cures to many people around the globe."

More information on the panel at BIO 2012:

What: Panel Discussion Featuring Leaders in the Regenerative Medicine Space

When: Wednesday, June 20, 3:00PM EDT

Where: Boston Convention Center, Room 254A

Who: Leaders of the Regenerative Medicine space:

Panel objectives include evaluating lessons learned and best practice including from the Scotland Roadmap for the commercialization of stem cell therapies; identifying global (US and EU) examples of progress in stem cell therapy commercialization; and facilitating a debate on the need for a global, multi-disciplinary approach to successful commercialization of stem cell therapies.

About Sistemic Ltd

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Sistemic to Moderate Regenerative Medicine Panel at 2012 Bio International Convention

ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodside Animal Hospital announced they have added both stem cell therapy and cold laser therapy to their suite of services. These two cutting edge treatments are done entirely in-house, no third-party lab work is required. Royal Oak veterinarian Dr. John Simon is the first Michigan veterinarian to provide pets with in-house adult stem cell therapy. The stem cells are derived from the pet's fat deposits and absolutely no embryonic tissue is used.

"As a holistic veterinarian, I am committed to providing high quality, cutting-edge care that combines traditional veterinary care with advanced holistic treatments," said Dr. Simon. "Our in-house stem cell therapy and cold laser therapy procedures alleviate pain in limping dogs and promote internal healing following an injury. I also recommend these procedures for pets with osteoarthritis."

Cold laser therapy is a non-surgical approach to pain management. Holistic equine veterinarians have used the procedure for over 20 years to treat injuries and joint pain. Today, veterinarians are using cold laser therapy to provide natural pain relief for injured pets.

According to Dr. Simon, cold laser therapy works by using a low-level energy beam to penetrate just below the skin's surface. Injured cells use the laser's energy to repair cellular damage. This provides relief for pain and swelling following a soft tissue injury, such as a ligament, tendon or muscle strain.

"Cold laser therapy is a revolutionary treatment for natural pain management in animals," said the Royal Oak veterinarian. "Laser therapy allows for advanced pain management, especially for pets suffering from chronic conditions or soft tissue injuries."

Woodside Animal Hospital also provides in-house pet stem cell therapy. This treatment uses adult stem cells collected from a dog's fat deposits to promote the growth of new soft tissue and cartilage. By performing the whole procedure in the clinic, the stem cells can be harvested and re-injected on the same day.

"Our in-house pet stem cell therapy is an affordable, same-day treatment that helps dogs suffering from joint pain, osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries and hip dysplasia," said Dr. Simon. "As pets age, it's natural that their range of movement becomes restricted. While oral joint care supplements and prescription painkillers can help, medication alone cannot restore a full range of movement. Our treatments help restore activity and movement."

In addition to cold laser therapy and stem cell therapy, Dr. Simon also provides holistic treatments for cancer in dogs, cat and dog rashes, and dietary needs. The Royal Oak practice is a full-service animal hospital with wellness care, vaccinations and surgical procedures.

Dr. Simon is active in the greater Detroit veterinary community, serving as the past president of the Oakland County Veterinary Medical Association and as a board member for the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SEMVMA).

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Royal Oak Veterinarian Dr. Simon First in Michigan to Offer In-House Adult Pet Stem Cell Therapy

Highly-magnified red blood cells course through a vein. Picture: file Source: Supplied

DOCTORS in Sweden successfully replaced a potentially-fatal blocked vein in a 10-year-old girl with one grown from her own stem cells, according to a study published today.

The team - from the University of Gothenburg andSahlgrenska University Hospital - accomplished the feat by populating a section of vein from a dead donor using stem cells gleaned from the girl's bone barrow.

"The new stem-cells-derived graft resulted not only in good blood flow rates and normal laboratory test values but also, in strikingly improved quality of life for the patient," the study's authors wrote in The Lancet.

The successful feat also "opens interesting new areas of research," they added.

The operation marked the latest step in scientists' ability to create replacement organs for transplant.

In 2010, doctors at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital made history by successfully transplanting a donor windpipe into a young boy, also aged 10, that was regenerated inside his body using his own stem cells.

In the latest instance, a 3.5-inch (9cm) section of groin vein from the donor was stripped of any living cells and "recellularised" with new cells grown from stem cells taken from the girl's bone marrow.

Techniques that use stem cells from a patient's own body carry the major benefit that they do not provoke an immune response. In the Swedish case, one alternative treatment option was a liver transplant, which would have required a lifetime of immunosuppressants. The work was funded by the Swedish government.

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Vein grown from girl's stem cells

By Jacque Wilson, CNN

updated 1:44 PM EDT, Tue June 12, 2012

2009: Robin Roberts on her cancer

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- Robin Roberts' battle against myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, is just beginning. The "Good Morning America" anchor will undergo chemotherapy before having a bone marrow transplant later this year.

"Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women," Roberts wrote Monday. "I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure."

More than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with blood-related disorders every year, according to the National Marrow Donor Program. Often the best treatment is a bone marrow transplant. During the procedure, a donor's stem cells are directly transfused into the sick patient's bloodstream. The patient's new cells multiply over time to create healthy bone marrow.

Unfortunately, the chance of finding a match on the national registry is as low as 66% for African-Americans and other minorities, compared with 93% for Caucasians.

Be the Match, the national registry, has 10 million potential donors, but only 7% are African-American. While the percentage is comparable to the overall African-American population in the United States (which is 12%), the registry is meeting only about a third of the needs for African-American transplants, said Dr. Jeffrey Chell, CEO of the National Marrow Donor Program.

Tuskegee's ghosts: Fear hinders black marrow donation

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Robin Roberts found a match, but others likely won't be as lucky

The cure that helped Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts beat breast cancer may have caused the new disease shes battling, experts said Monday.

And before Roberts undergoes a bone marrow transplant to combat MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome, she will need to subject her already weakend body to even more chemotherapy.

I know it seems counterintuitive, said Dr. Azra Raza, who heads the MDS Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia. But this is the only way we know how to get rid of these damaged cells before we can start treatment.

MDS is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that if left untreated can lead to leukemia and death.

It is a relatively rare condition, said Raza. The are 15,000 cases diagnosed annually every year in the U.S.

Patients who have been exposed to benzene or who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer are the most susceptible to MDS, said Azra.

Sometimes stem cells are damaged during radiation or chemotherapy, Raza said. MDS is a bad disease to have.

There are different degrees of severity, added Robert Bona, Professor of Medical Sciences at Quinnipiac University. The ones that are most severe are treated with bone marrow transplants, if theyre young enough and a donor can be found.

Bone marrow donors are scarce, especially for African-American women.

Luckily for Roberts, her sister Sally-Ann Roberts, an anchor at a New Orleans TV station, is a match. And the 51-year-old newscasters age and otherwise good physical condition greatly improve her chances of licking this disease, the experts said.

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Robin Roberts’ breast cancer cure may have caused new illness

Good Morning America host Robin Roberts announced on Monday June 11 that she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a blood disorder affecting the stem cells in the bone marrow. Find out all the details on the disease!

Robin Roberts bravely announced to the world on Monday June 11 that she has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, formerly known as preleukemia. The GMA host held back tears as she held her co-hosts hands and revealed her painful secret that shes held for more than a month. MDS is a blood-related condition that involves ineffective production of the myeloid class of blood cells.It is a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow, she said.

Left without a transplant, the disease worsens and the patient develops low blood counts due to progressive bone marrow failure. Found mostly in patients between 60 and 75, Robin was diagnosed at the age of 51-years-old leaving her with a good prognosis.

Symptoms can involve severe anemia and require frequent blood transfusions. The mean life-expectancy is 18 to 24 months in mild cases of MDS or even longer when stem cell transplantation is done, but all cases vary.

Robin, who has experienced a series of highs and lows throughout her career, announced that her sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, would be her donor! I am blessed, Robin said because her sister is a virtually perfect bone marrow match. Thankfully,Robins doctors are optimistic of her recovery!My doctors tell me Im going to beat this and I know its true, Robin said.

Success of bone marrow transplantation has been found to correlate with severity of MDS.

Famous patients with MDS include astronomerCarl SaganandwriterRoald Dahl(James and the Giant Peach,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,) and more.

We wish Robin the best and will be rooting for her throughout her treatments!

HollywoodLifers, do you know someone with MDS? Tell us your story below!

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Robin Roberts Diagnosed With MDS — Details on Her Disease

"We use three dimensional structures to fabricate the bone in the right shape and geometry. We can grow these bones outside the body and then transplant it to the patient at the right time.

"By scanning the damaged bone area, the implant should fit perfectly and merge with the surrounding tissue. There are no problems with rejection as the cells come from the patient's own body."

The technology, which has been developed along with researchers at the Technion Institute of Research in Israel, uses three dimensional scans of the damaged bone to build a gel-like scaffold that matches the shape.

Stem cells, known as mesenchymal stem cells, which have the capacity to develop into many other types of cell in the body, are obtained from the patient's fat using liposuction.

These are then grown into living bone on the scaffold inside a "bioreactor" an automated machine that provides the right conditions to encourage the cells to develop into bone.

Already animals have successfully received bone transplants. The scientists were able to insert almost an inch of laboratory-grown human bone into the middle section of a rat's leg bone, where it successfully merged with the remaining animal bone.

The technique could ultimately allow doctors to replace bones that have been smashed in accidents, fill in defects where bone is missing such as cleft palate, or carry out reconstructive plastic surgery.

Professor Kadouri said work was also under way to grow the soft cartilage at the ends of bones, which is needed if entire bones are to be produced in a laboratory.

Bone grafts currently involve taking bits of bone from elsewhere in the patients body and transplanting them to the area which is damaged to encourage healing.

More than 250,000 bone grafts are performed in the UK each year, including repairs to damaged jaws and the replacement of bone lost in operations to remove tumours.

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Human bones grown from fat in laboratory

SAN FRANCISCO Scientists at the UCSF-affiliated Gladstone Institutes have for the first time transformed skin cells with a single genetic factor into cells that develop on their own into an interconnected, functional network of brain cells.

The research offers new hope in the fight against many neurological conditions because scientists expect that such a transformation orreprogramming of cells may lead to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease.

This research comes at a time of renewed focus on Alzheimers disease, which currently afflicts 5.4 million people in the United States alone a figure expected to nearly triple by 2050. Yet there are no approved medications to prevent or reverse the progression of this debilitating disease.

In findings appearing online today inCell Stem Cell, researchers in the laboratory of Gladstone investigator Yadong Huang, M.D., Ph.D., describe how they transferred a single gene called Sox2 into both mouse and human skin cells. Within days the skin cells transformed into early-stage brain stem cells, also called induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). These iNSCs began to self-renew, soon maturing into neurons capable of transmitting electrical signals. Within a month, the neurons had developed into neural networks.

Many drug candidates especially those developed for neurodegenerative diseases fail in clinical trials because current models dont accurately predict the drugs effects on the human brain, said Huang, who also is an associate professor of neurology at UCSF. Human neurons derived from reengineered skin cells could help assess the efficacy and safety of these drugs, thereby reducing risks and resources associated with human trials.

Huangs findings build on the work of other Gladstone scientists, starting with Gladstone investigator Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D. In 2007, Yamanaka used four genetic factors to turn adult human skin cells into cells that act like embryonic stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells.

Also known as iPS cells, these cells can become virtually any cell type in the human body just like embryonic stem cells. Then last year, Gladstone senior investigatorSheng Ding, PhD, announced that he had used a combination of small molecules and genetic factors to transform skin cellsdirectlyinto neural stem cells. Today, Huang takes a new tack by using one genetic factor Sox2 to directly reprogram one cell type into another without reverting to the pluripotent state.

Avoiding the pluripotent state as Drs. Ding and Huang have done is one approach to avoiding the potential danger that rogue iPS cells might develop into a tumor if used to replace or repair damaged organs or tissue.

We wanted to see whether these newly generated neurons could result in tumor growth after transplanting them into mouse brains, said Karen Ring, UCSF Biomedical Sciences graduate student and the papers lead author. Instead we saw the reprogrammed cells integrate into the mouses brain and not a single tumor developed.

This research has also revealed the precise role of Sox2 as a master regulator that controls the identity of neural stem cells. In the future, Huang and his team hope to identify similar regulators that guide the development of specific neural progenitors and subtypes of neurons in the brain.

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Scientists reprogram skin cells into brain cells

June 8, 2012

Connie K. Ho for redOrbit.com

For the first time, scientists at Gladstone Institute have changed skin cells, imbued with a single genetic factor, into cells that can become a group of interconnecting, functional brain cells. The findings show that there may be options in combating neurological conditions. This transformation of cells would pave the way for better methods in testing drugs for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers disease.

The research follows increased interest in Alzheimers disease. Currently, the disorder affects 4.5 million people in the U.S. and, by 2050, the number will have tripled. There are no medications to prevent or reverse Alzheimers Disease at this time.

The findings are published online at Cell Stem Cell and describe how the team of researchers transfer a single cell, known as Sox2, into mouse and human skin cells. Shortly, the skin cells became early-stage brain stem cells called induced neural stem cells (INSCs). The INSCs were able to self-renew and transmit electrical signals. The neurons were able to become neural networks within a month.

Many drug candidates especially those developed for neurodegenerative diseases fail in clinical trials because current models dont accurately predict the drugs effects on the human brain, commented Gladstone Investigation Dr. Yadong Huang, who is also an associate professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in a prepared statement. Human neuronsderived from reengineered skin cellscould help assess the efficacy and safety of these drugs, thereby reducing risks and resources associated with human trials.

Huangs study was based off work done by Gladstone Investigator Dr. Shinya Yamanaka. Yanaka had four genetic factors become adult human skin cells then into embryonic stem cells, otherwise known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The cells can become almost any type of cell in the body. As well, last year, Gladstone Senior Investigator Dr. Sheng Ding found a combination of small molecules and genetic factors that could change skin cells into neural stem cells. These days, Huang uses one genetic factor, Sox2, to directly reprogram cell types without having to resort back to a pluripotent state.

We wanted to see whether these newly generated neurons could result in tumor growth after transplanting them into mouse brains, explained Karen Ring, UCSF Biomedical Sciences graduate student and the papers lead author, in the statement. Instead we saw the reprogrammed cells integrate into the mouses brainand not a single tumor developed.

The findings of the project have shown that Sox2 acts as a master regulator that maintains the identity of neural stem cells. In the future, Huang and his fellow researchers hope that they can identify similar regulators that can help the development of particular neural progenitors and subtypes of neurons in the brain.

If we can pinpoint which genes control the development of each neuron type, we can generate them in the petri dish from a single sample of human skin cells, noted Huang. We could then test drugs that affect different neuron typessuch as those involved in Parkinsons diseasehelping us to put drug development for neurodegenerative diseases on the fast track.

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Scientists Reprogram Skin Cells To Brain Cells

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -06/07/12)- Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. (BMSN) (BMSN) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Regen BioPharma, Inc. has executed an exclusive option agreement which grants Regen BioPharma an option to license Patent #6,821,513 which patents methods of stimulating blood production in patients with deficient stem cells. The patent, as well as data licensed with the patent, covers methods of stimulating the bone marrow to generate new blood cells. The patent and option agreement are disclosed in the Company's most recent 8K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2012.

"The technology has broad applicability to help cancer patients recover faster following chemotherapy, as well as for recipients of bone marrow and cord blood transplants. Currently, new blood cell production is stimulated by expensive drugs such as Neupogen and Neulasta which replicate the body's growth factors but can cause side effects and rely upon the diminished recuperative powers of an immune compromised patient," stated J. Christopher Mizer, President of Regen BioPharma.

David Koos, Chairman & CEO of Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, added, "We are excited to get this therapy into the clinic. Based on peer-reviewed published animal data, it has the potential to restore immune function faster and more effectively than the existing standard of care."

The licensed technology covers the use of a naturally-occurring cell type for stimulation of bone marrow stem cells. By utilizing cells as opposed to drugs, Regen BioPharma believes it possesses a substantial advantage to existing approaches in terms of safety and economics of production. Currently the market for growth factors that stimulate blood making stem cells is more than $4.84 billion per year (www.wikinvest.com/stock/Amgen).

About Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. and Regen BioPharma, Inc.:Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. (BMSN) (BMSN) is a biotechnology company focused on the development of regenerative medicine therapies and tools. The Company is focused on human therapies that address unmet medical needs. Specifically, Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. is looking to increase the quality of life through therapies involving stem cell treatments. These treatments are focused in areas relating to cardiovascular, hematology, oncology and other indications.

Through Its wholly owned subsidiary, Regen BioPharma, it is the Company's goal to develop translational medicine platforms for the rapid commercialization of stem cell therapies. The Company is looking to use these translational medicine platforms to advance intellectual property licensed from entities, institutions and universities that show promise towards fulfilling the Company's goal of increased quality of life.

Disclaimer

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks.

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Bio-Matrix Scientific Group's Regen BioPharma Subsidiary Executes Option Agreement to License Stem Cell Intellectual ...

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (SNWV), today announced the publication of peer-reviewed, preclinical research that demonstrates the ability of the Companys Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology (ESWT) to stimulate proliferation of periosteal adult stem cells (cambium cells) within the body and subsequently form bone. In addition, the combination of ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells and a bioactive scaffold regenerated more bone than a bioactive scaffold alone.

The publication, titled The Use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave-Stimulated Periosteal Cells for Orthotopic Bone Regeneration, appeared in the online edition of Tissue Engineering, Part A as an ePublication ahead of print. The abstract of the publication can be viewed online at: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ten.TEA.2011.0573.

Led by Myron Spector, M.D., a professor and researcher at Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, the authors stated, This study investigated a novel approach for treatment of bone loss, which has potential for many clinical situations where bone apposition is required (e.g., vertical ridge augmentation, regrowing bone following tumor resection, and regenerating bone lost at sites of osteolysis or bone degeneration).

The cambium cells of the periosteum (outer membrane covering bone) currently have limited suitability for clinical applications in their native state due to their low cell number (only 2 to 5 cells thick). However, ESWT has been shown to cause a rapid increase in periosteal cambium cell numbers and subsequent periosteal osteogenesis (bone formation). The advantages of adding a scaffold as we did in this study are threefold: the scaffold contours the new bone, it helps maintain bone at the implant site, and it creates a space to allow the periosteal cells to further proliferate and fill the scaffold.

The authors concluded, The ESWT-stimulated samples of tibial bone outperformed the control group in all key outcome variables, and the study results therefore demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT-stimulated periosteum for bone generation. These results successfully demonstrated the efficacy of periosteum stimulated by ESWT technology for bone generation.

In the first phase of this research, the authors successfully demonstrated that ESWT increased the thickness of the cambium layer surrounding bone and the number of cambium cells within that layer. This proliferation of adult stem cells is an important part of many tissue engineering strategies. Then, in a novel second phase, the authors combined the ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells with a porous calcium phosphate scaffold that is commonly utilized in clinical applications to stimulate bone regeneration. A comparator control group received the scaffold alone with no prior ESWT treatment. The results were statistically significant and favored the ESWT group. In fact, at two weeks post-surgery, there was a significant increase in all key outcome variables for bone growth favoring the group that received ESWT prior to being combined with a scaffold compared with the group that received only the scaffold.

Summary of Key Study Findings

About SANUWAVE Health, Inc. SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is an emerging regenerative medicine company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of tissue, musculoskeletal and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, including new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, helping to restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE intends to apply its PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, is CE marked and has Canadian device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue. In the U.S., dermaPACE is currently under the FDAs Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved Ossatron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its Ossatron, Evotron and orthoPACE devices in Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the marketing of the Companys product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Companys ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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SANUWAVE Technology Shown to Proliferate Stem Cells and Form Bone

Hyderabad, June 2:

Picking stem cells from a patients body, sending it to a sophisticated laboratory to culture a tissue and then implanting it are pass.

A team of doctors at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute has used the tea bag or sprinkler approach to regenerate stem cells. The organisation has developed a lab-free technique that could be available off-the-shelf. This allows eye surgeons with usual facilities to perform the procedure.

The team, led by Dr Virender Singh Sangwan, used this technique to treat those who suffered chemical injuries, resulting in bleeding in the cornea.

Instead of sending stem cells to the lab for culture, the doctor picked the required number of stem cells around the cornea and sprinkled on the damaged area and then put a contact lens. In 15 days, he sees development of a good layer in the place of injured area, Prof. Balasubramanian, Head of Research at LVPEI, said.

A winner of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize, Dr Sangwan said he had conducted the procedure on about 25 patients with good results. This had been published in international scientific magazines.

He is now in the process of developing tools to help doctors.

Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Children down with the rare ocular disorders that result in gradual loss of sight can hope for a cure. Doctors are working on a gene therapy to correct this problem caused by consanguineous marriages.

Though this therapy is in vogue abroad, LVPEI says it is the first centre to carry out research on this procedure. Technically called LCA or Leber Congenital Amaurosis, doctors would refer patients to a gene analysis after studying them for indications.

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Stem cell therapy for cornea treatment