Public release date: 28-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Hilary Glover hilary.glover@biomedcentral.com 44-020-319-22370 BioMed Central

Injection of human stem cells into mice with tumors slowed down tumor growth, finds research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), isolated from bone marrow, caused changes in blood vessels supplying the tumor, and it is this modification of blood supply which seems to impact tumor growth.

The use of stem cells in treating cancer has been controversial, with some studies finding that stem cells force tumors to enter programmed cell death. However other studies find that stem cells actually promote tumor growth by inducing infiltration of new blood vessels. In attempting to sort out this puzzle researchers from INSERM groups at Universit Joseph Fourier in collaboration with CHU de Grenoble investigated the impact of MSC on already established subcutaneous or lung metastasis in mice.

For both the subcutaneous and lung tumors, injection of MSC reduced cell division, consequently slowing the rate of tumor growth. Part of the mode of action of stem cells therefore appears to be due to with angiogenesis, but the mechanism behind this is still unclear.

Claire Rome who led this study explained, "We found that MSC altered vasculature inside the tumor - although new blood vessels were generated, overall they were longer and fewer than in untreated tumors. This could be restricting the oxygen and nutrients to the tumor, limiting cell division." She continued, "Our study confirms others which propose that stem cells, in particular MSC, might be one way forwards in treating cancer."

Commenting on this study Celia Gomes, from the University of Coimbra, said, "One of the interesting questions this study raises is when MSC promote tumor growth and when they restrict it. The answer seems to be timing this study looks at already established tumors, while others, which find that MSC increase growth, tend to be investigating new tumors. This is a first step in the path to identifying exactly which patients might benefit from stem cell therapy and who will not."

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Media Contact

Dr Hilary Glover Scientific Press Officer, BioMed Central Tel: +44 (0) 20 3192 2370 Mob: +44 (0) 778 698 1967 Email: hilary.glover@biomedcentral.com

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Clarifying the effect of stem cell therapy on cancer

UT The Daily Texan

UT students work on entry for genetic engineering competition UT The Daily Texan A team of UT students is working to identify a genetic engineering project to follow-up on last year's success at an international competition. About 20 students are members of UT's International Genetically Engineered Machine, or iGEM, team, which has ...

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As Biotechnology Stocks Soar, Bubble Talk Percolates Fox Business Biotechnology stocks are quite healthy right now, but some think they are due for a cold. The sector is on a run not seen since the go-go days of the late 1990s, bolstered by a string of clinical and regulatory successes that analysts say could herald ... Biotech's latest rally: exuberance or execution?MarketWatch all 4 news articles »

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PLoS Blogs (blog)

Better Living Through Biotechnology? A Book Review PLoS Blogs (blog) From research labs in China making mice with made-to-order maladies, to sidewalk experiments with wired bug brains in Massachusetts, Anthes takes us by the armchair on a biotechnology adventure intended to dispel the monster myths of Mary Shelley's ...

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The meeting “Commercialization of Your Regenerative Medicine Research: Lessons from Spin Out Successes” was hosted by the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) (Oxford, UK) at the University of Oxford in February, 2013, and attracted a multi-stakeholder audience spanning academia and industry. 


The event featured case studies from Gregg Sando, CEO, Cell Medica (London, UK), John Sinden, CSO, Reneuron (Guilford, UK), and Paul Kemp, CEO and CSO, Intercytex (Manchester, UK). 


OBR is a student-led initiative with over 7000 members across eight different UK and US locations with a mission to foster a conversation about the healthcare and life sciences industry. 


Anna French and David A. Brindley, along with some of my assistance, captured and have now published the main themes of the meeting and the major questions facing the regenerative medicine industry and its rapidly emerging subsets of cellular and gene therapies. 


Notably, we discuss the compatibility of regenerative therapies to the existing healthcare infrastructure, biomanufacturing challenges (including scalability and comparability), and the amenability of regenerative therapies to existing reimbursement and investment models. Furthermore, we reiterate key words of advice from seasoned industry leaders intended to accelerate the translation path from lab bench to the marketplace.


To read the review see: Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine: Learning from Spin-Outs


Anna French, R. Lee Buckler, and David A. Brindley. Rejuvenation Research. April 2013, 16(2): 164-170. doi:10.1089/rej.2013.1423.

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CellTherapyBlog/~3/4Uv2o54_hWQ/commercialization-of-regenerative.html

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/0HfVYv0XVQg/california-stem-cell-agency-seeks.html

The California stem cell agency today clarified the size of the assumed "public investment" in its rough outline of its plan for future activities. 

"This hypothetical range of public investment ($50 million to $200 million) is thought of as a one-time investment, with hope of private investments in multiples of that with the fund recharging to some extent based on revenue."

 "We have not wanted to post the budget range because we want honest estimates of what folks think the budget should be rather than having them penciling estimates that max out the budget."

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/rXqOoGO0Z0k/stem-cell-agency-provides-more-cost.html

The $3 billion California stem cell
agency, which is currently scheduled to go out of business in a few
years, hopes to come up with a detailed plan by this fall for a novel
public-private arrangement that would extend its life.

“...an in-depth analysis of various
public-private funding models with potential to attract private
sector investment to, and facilitate further development of the most
promising CIRM-supported research projects; and recommend a single
preferred approach for achieving this goal, complete with details
relating to the recommended structure and an operational plan.”

“The nature of CIRM as a state agency
is perhaps the biggest weak point (and) has to be addressed politically
and cleared up as soon as possible or raising money will be
unnecessarily challenging.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/bdJQjlhAoPM/deadline-this-october-california-stem.html

MS Stem Cell Therapy - Part 1
Over the last decade a Canadian team has been working on a ground breaking stem cell therapy their research has yet to be published, but the patients who hav...

By: GlobalToronto

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MS Stem Cell Therapy - Part 1 - Video

NEW YORK, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 - Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity

http://www.reportlinker.com/p01075729/Stem-Cell-Therapy-Market-in-Asia-Pacific-to-2018---Commercialization-Supported-by-Favorable-Government-Policies-Strong-Pipeline-and-Increased-Licensing-Activity.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Biological_Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 - Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity

Summary

GBI Research, the leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research "Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 - Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies, Strong Pipeline and Increased Licensing Activity". The report provides an in-depth analysis on stem cell research and development in India, China, Japan, South-Korea and Singapore. The report market analysis and forecasts for CABG, LSCT, Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, Hearticellgram, Cerecellgram, Cartistem and Cupistem. The report also provides information on trends and pipelines. In addition to this, the report covers market drivers and challenges for stem cell research market.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.

GBI Research analysis finds the stem cell therapy market was valued at $545m in 2012, and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10% from 2012 to 2018, to attain a value of $972m in 2018. The market is poised for significant growth in the forecast period due to the anticipated launch of JCR Pharmaceuticals' JR-031 (2014) in Japan and FCB Pharmicell's Cerecellgram (CCG) (2015) in South Korea. The research is mainly in early stages, with the majority of the molecules being in early stages of development (Phase I/II and Phase II). Phase I/II and Phase II contribute 67% of the pipeline. Stem cell research is dominated by hospitals/universities/institutions, which contribute 63% of the molecules in the pipeline. The dominance of institutional research is attributable to uncertain therapeutic outcomes in stem cell research.The major companies conducting research in India include Reliance Life Sciences and Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, among others. The major institutions include PGIMER and AIIMS.

Scope

- Country analysis of regulatory framework of India, China, South-Korea, Japan and Singapore - In-depth information and analysis on the pipeline products expected to bring a shift to the market positions of the leading manufacturers. - Market characterization data for stem cell research for CABG, LSCT, Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, Hearticellgram, Cerecellgram, Cartistem and Cupistem. - Key drivers and restraints that have a significant impact on the market. - Competitive landscape of stem cell research in Asia-Pacific. The key companies discussed in this report are Stempeutics, Reliance Lifesciences, International Stem cell services, Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology, JCR Pharmaceuticals, ES Cells International, Stem Cell Technologies i, Pharmicell and Medipost - Key M&A activities, licensing agreements, that have taken place between stem cell companies in 2007 till date.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market in Asia-Pacific to 2018 - Commercialization Supported by Favorable Government Policies ...

Joshua Aquino plays piano for mom Kris. File photo

MANILA, Philippines Host-actress Kris Aquino explained that one of the reasons she is going on temporary leave from showbiz is because she wanted her eldest son, Josh, to undergo stem cell therapy.

During her morning talk show on ABS-CBN, Kris TV, on Tuesday, Aquino said she is considering three options for the treatment of Josh, who is a special child.

The first option is for Josh to undergo treatment in Europe, where live animal stem cells are used.

Kasi meron akong mga friends na yung mga anak nila underwent stem cell therapy and yung condition nila is just like Josh. They had special children, Aquino explained to comedienne Melai Cantiveros, her guest co-host on Kris TV.

Kasi sobrang laki yung naging improvement. So tomorrow, Melai, meron kaming appointment kay Dr. Rex Gloria, who is involved with one of those hospitals sa Europe na gumagawa nito, she added.

Aquino said her second option is to avail of a new treatment in Singapore, which involves the use of fat-derived human stem cells.

Meron daw sa Singapore na kinukuha daw sa nanay yung stem cell. Parang manggagaling sa fat ng nanay, kasi yung fat ng nanay ang pinaka-highly concentrated yung stem cell, doon, she said. So kukunin either sa hita daw o sa tiyan ng mom, tapos ita-transfer doon sa anak.

Meanwhile, Aquino said her third option is to go to The Medical City in Pasig.

May pangatlo pa being done in Medical City naman now. But that study will be done in July. Yun naman, galing sa bone marrow. Medyo masakit daw yun talaga kasi imagine, bone marrow extraction, she said.

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Kris wants stem cell therapy for son Josh

The Stem Cell Institute, located in Panama City, Panama, will present an informational umbilical cord stem cell therapy seminar on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Miami, Florida at the Conrad Hotel from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Miami, Florida (PRWEB) April 24, 2013

Speakers and topics include:

"Umbilical cord stem cells: regeneration, repair, inflammation and autoimmunity" - Neil Riordan, PhD

Dr. Riordan is the Founder of the Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Panama Inc.

Dr. Paz is the Medical Director at the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Paz practiced internal medicine in the United States for over a decade before joining the Stem Cell Institute in Panama.

Dr. Lowe is a psychiatrist at Amen Clinics in New York City.

Raymond Cralle is a physical therapist at Cralle Physical Therapy in Delray Beach, Florida.

After the talks, our speakers and stem cell therapy patients will be on hand to share their personal experiences and answer questions.

Admission is free but space is limited and registration is required. For venue information and to register and reserve your tickets today, please visit: http://scimiamiseminar.eventbrite.com/ or call Cindy Cunningham, Patient Events Coordinator, at 1 (800) 980-7836.

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Stem Cell Institute Public Seminar on Adult Stem Cell Therapy in Miami, Florida May 11th, 2013

Kris Aquino will try anything -- even the new stem cell therapy technology in Singapore to help eldest son Josh cope with his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) condition. Read related story: Kris In Search For Joshuas House

"Meron akong mga friends na yung mga anak nila underwent stem cell therapy. And yung condition nila is just like Josh's and they're special children. Sobrang laki kasi yung naging improvement," Kris said on "KrisTV" on Tuesday, April 23.

Physical exam

Kris said Josh will have a physical exam on April 24 to check if he is fit to undergo stem cell therapy.

"Hindi mo naman matatanggi sa akin na anything to improve my son kasi ngayon na-achieve namin yung physical improvement. Kasi di ba naka-lose nga siya ng 120 pounds? So ngayon we have the means naman, bakit hindi ko susubukan kung makakatulong ito for him to become more verbal, yung cognitive skills lalong ma-improve?"

She added, "Meron raw sa Singapore na kinukuha rin sa nanay, yung stem cell. Manggagaling raw sa fat ng nanay. Kasi yung fat ng nanay ang highly-concentrated ang stem cell. So kukunin either sa tiyan or hita ng nanay then itatransfer sa anak."

ABS-CBN announced that Kris will take a leave from work in June to attend to her sons' needs, including bringing Josh abroad "to advance his developmental progress."

Also read: Kris not resigning, will 'take a leave instead'

Adult Josh

"Iyan ita-try nating lahat kasi it's so hard to believe that this June 4, Josh is turning 18. May adult na akong anak. Ita-try natin ito. Part of the reason why I'm taking a leave is because I want Josh to have these opportunities for medical improvement, lalo na andun na siya sa magandang timbang, magandang health, magandang behavior. So, ita-try namin ito para tuloy-tuloy ang progress ng anak ko," she said.

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Kris wants Josh to undergo stem cell therapy

Public release date: 22-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mika Ono mikaono@scripps.edu 858-784-2052 Scripps Research Institute

LA JOLLA, CA April 22, 2013 In a serendipitous discovery, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found a way to turn bone marrow stem cells directly into brain cells.

Current techniques for turning patients' marrow cells into cells of some other desired type are relatively cumbersome, risky and effectively confined to the lab dish. The new finding points to the possibility of simpler and safer techniques. Cell therapies derived from patients' own cells are widely expected to be useful in treating spinal cord injuries, strokes and other conditions throughout the body, with little or no risk of immune rejection.

"These results highlight the potential of antibodies as versatile manipulators of cellular functions," said Richard A. Lerner, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Immunochemistry and institute professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at TSRI, and principal investigator for the new study. "This is a far cry from the way antibodies used to be thought ofas molecules that were selected simply for binding and not function."

The researchers discovered the method, reported in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of April 22, 2013, while looking for lab-grown antibodies that can activate a growth-stimulating receptor on marrow cells. One antibody turned out to activate the receptor in a way that induces marrow stem cellswhich normally develop into white blood cellsto become neural progenitor cells, a type of almost-mature brain cell.

Nature's Toolkit

Natural antibodies are large, Y-shaped proteins produced by immune cells. Collectively, they are diverse enough to recognize about 100 billion distinct shapes on viruses, bacteria and other targets. Since the 1980s, molecular biologists have known how to produce antibodies in cell cultures in the laboratory. That has allowed them to start using this vast, target-gripping toolkit to make scientific probes, as well as diagnostics and therapies for cancer, arthritis, transplant rejection, viral infections and other diseases.

In the late 1980s, Lerner and his TSRI colleagues helped invent the first techniques for generating large "libraries" of distinct antibodies and swiftly determining which of these could bind to a desired target. The anti-inflammatory antibody Humira, now one of the world's top-selling drugs, was discovered with the benefit of this technology.

Last year, in a study spearheaded by TSRI Research Associate Hongkai Zhang, Lerner's laboratory devised a new antibody-discovery techniquein which antibodies are produced in mammalian cells along with receptors or other target molecules of interest. The technique enables researchers to determine rapidly not just which antibodies in a library bind to a given receptor, for example, but also which ones activate the receptor and thereby alter cell function.

Continue reading here:
Scientists find antibody that transforms bone marrow stem cells directly into brain cells

LA JOLLA, Calif., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a serendipitous discovery, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found a way to turn bone marrow stem cells directly into brain cells.

Current techniques for turning patients' marrow cells into cells of some other desired type are relatively cumbersome, risky and effectively confined to the lab dish. The new finding points to the possibility of simpler and safer techniques. Cell therapies derived from patients' own cells are widely expected to be useful in treating spinal cord injuries, strokes and other conditions throughout the body, with little or no risk of immune rejection.

"These results highlight the potential of antibodies as versatile manipulators of cellular functions," said Richard A. Lerner , the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Immunochemistry and institute professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at TSRI, and principal investigator for the new study. "This is a far cry from the way antibodies used to be thought ofas molecules that were selected simply for binding and not function."

The researchers discovered the method, reported in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of April 22, 2013, while looking for lab-grown antibodies that can activate a growth-stimulating receptor on marrow cells. One antibody turned out to activate the receptor in a way that induces marrow stem cellswhich normally develop into white blood cellsto become neural progenitor cells, a type of almost-mature brain cell.

Nature's Toolkit

Natural antibodies are large, Y-shaped proteins produced by immune cells. Collectively, they are diverse enough to recognize about 100 billion distinct shapes on viruses, bacteria and other targets. Since the 1980s, molecular biologists have known how to produce antibodies in cell cultures in the laboratory. That has allowed them to start using this vast, target-gripping toolkit to make scientific probes, as well as diagnostics and therapies for cancer, arthritis, transplant rejection, viral infections and other diseases.

In the late 1980s, Lerner and his TSRI colleagues helped invent the first techniques for generating large "libraries" of distinct antibodies and swiftly determining which of these could bind to a desired target. The anti-inflammatory antibody Humira, now one of the world's top-selling drugs, was discovered with the benefit of this technology.

Last year, in a study spearheaded by TSRI Research Associate Hongkai Zhang, Lerner's laboratory devised a new antibody-discovery techniquein which antibodies are produced in mammalian cells along with receptors or other target molecules of interest. The technique enables researchers to determine rapidly not just which antibodies in a library bind to a given receptor, for example, but also which ones activate the receptor and thereby alter cell function.

Lab Dish in a Cell

For the new study, Lerner laboratory Research Associate Jia Xie and colleagues modified the new technique so that antibody proteins produced in a given cell are physically anchored to the cell's outer membrane, near its target receptors. "Confining an antibody's activity to the cell in which it is produced effectively allows us to use larger antibody libraries and to screen these antibodies more quickly for a specific activity," said Xie. With the improved technique, scientists can sift through a library of tens of millions of antibodies in a few days.

Go here to read the rest:
Scripps Research Institute Scientists Find Antibody that Transforms Bone Marrow Stem Cells Directly into Brain Cells

RedOrbit

Minor Skirmishes In The Great Debate Over Genetic Engineering In Agriculture RedOrbit Officials and scientists across the United States are debating the role of genetic engineering in agriculture. While some see genetically modified foods as a sign of technological progress and a way to maximize profits, others see it as a potential ...

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RedOrbit

Food For Thought – A Few Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering RedOrbit While there are many advantages to the ability to modify genes, there are also a number of genetic engineering disadvantages. However, unlike the pros – such as super-sized strawberries, drought-proof corn or fungus-resistant soybeans – the cons of ... and more »

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Independent Online

New breed of GM animals on the way Independent Online Professor Bruce Whitelaw of the Roslin said that the new technique produces GM animals with between 10 and 15 percent efficiency, compared with an efficiency of less than one percent for the standard method of genetic engineering. “We can do it without ... Pig born using new GM approachTelegraph.co.uk Scientists who created Dolly the sheep clone bring GM food a step closer by ...Daily Mail A pig similar to this one has been created by scientists using 'gene editing ...Metro RT all 9 news articles »

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A breakthrough has been achieved in the stream of medical science. An alternative to the metallic stent has been found and is called biodegradable or bio-absorbable stents.

Difference between the two

Metallic stents which are in use for a long time now, had some disadvantages. These stents helps to keep the blocked arteries open to enable the flow of oxygen and blood, but also causes retenosis, that is, it scars up vessel tissue causing the arteries to clog again. Even though drug infused metallic stents have also been used as an alternative, it still does not lower the risks of other complications.

Biodegradable stents, on the other hand causes no such complications. It opens up the blocked arteries and dissolves itself after fulfilling its task, thus, minimizing the occurrence of any complication. It is made up of poly-l-lactide, a naturally dissolving material. It is said to dissolve in a time span of 18 months to three years. Another advantage of this stent is that it does not prevent the detection of other blockages as opposed to the metallic stents which would refract the rays of the scan, making it hard for detection.

Benefits of not having a permanent stent

One of the greatest benefits of not having a permanent stent is that it allows the lumen to expand. When a permanent metallic stent is used it does not allow the lumen to grow, thus hindering remodeling even though it allows the vessel around the stent to develop.

Another benefit is they do not produce any kind of inflammatory reactions as opposed to metallic stents.

How does a biodegradable stent work?

Arteries start getting clogged up due to the accumulation of fatty matter like chlorestol on the inner wall of the arteries that are responsible for providing blood to the heart. As it advances, it reduces the width of the lumen in return diminishing the amount of blood flowing into the heart. This is when a person undergoes a chest pain known as angina.

This disease can be arrested at the initial stage with the help of medication. But a person suffers a heart attack when the precautions are not taken, or when the artery is fully obstructed. That is when the surgical procedure of angioplasty is done. In angioplasty, a balloon is introduced into the artery through a guide wire and is inflated where the blockage is located. After this the stent is introduced so that it keeps the artery open.

The biodegradable stent releases a drug called everolimus which prevents irregular tissue growth.

Researches and studies that classify biodegradable as safe

Kunhiko Kosuga, who has a MD, PhD and is also the director of cardiology at Shiga Medical Center for Adults in Moriyana City, Japan, did a research on these new stents. He and his fellow researchers studied 44 men and 6 women who had undergone angioplasty and had used biodegradable stents to open up the affected arteries. They looked for various complications like clots, deaths, and other causes. The result is as follows:

? for the deaths associated with heart diseases, the survival rate was 98%.

? for death from all causes, the survival rate was 87%.

? there was no main cardiac problems in half the patients.

? Only four patients suffered heart attacks.

? The blood vessel involved had re-narrowed in 16% of the patients, in one year after undergoing the procedure.

? there were two clots that were found within the stent. One was due to the drug-infused stent close to the biodegradable one.

Countries who welcomed biodegradable stents

Nine European countries, Middle East, parts of Latin America and parts of Asia like India, Hong Kong, Philippines and Vietnam are already using these stents. In Europe, Asia-Pacific, Canada and Latin America, over 600 patients have taken part in the trial which aspires to have 1000 patients from over 100 centres present in these counties. Even Singapore has approved of these stents from 20th December, 2012.

However, doctors are still awaiting results for the long term effects on the patients

Even though the cost for manufacturing these stents is very expensive, doctors worldwide are optimistic that they will replace metallic stents eventually.

About The Author: Alia is a writer/blogger by profession. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to Hydroxycut

Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/entry/biodegradable-heart-stents-safe/

The Economist

America's Supreme Court is to rule on the patenting of genes The Economist It pits America's Association for Molecular Pathology and various other interested parties—represented by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union—against Myriad Genetics, a biotechnology firm that holds patents on two human genes, called ... US Supreme Court asks whether human genes can be patented?Economic Times Our View: Patents for genes not OKMerced Sun-Star In Australia, Gene Patents Also Subject of High Court StruggleScience AAAS Lamron -The National Law Review -Bloomberg BNA all 53 news articles »

Source:
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