Bacardi's Gift to Significantly Advance Mayo Clinics Regenerative Medicine Research

Posted by Kevin Punsky (@kevinpunsky) 5 day(s) ago

Bacardi's Gift to Significantly Advance Mayo Clinics Regenerative Medicine Research

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Imagine a future in which a new lung is grown for a patient in need, using the patients own cellular material, or a day when an injection of replacement cells will enable a patient to self-heal damage in the brain, nerves or other tissues.

Regenerative medicine is no longer science fiction, and a substantial gift from Jorge and Leslie Bacardi of the Bahamas will significantly accelerate the research of Mayo Clinics Center for Regenerative Medicine on the Florida campus.

Jorge and Leslie Bacardi

Jorge Bacardi, whose family has manufactured rum and other spirits for 150 years, suffered since childhood with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a debilitating lung disease that nearly ended his life. A double lung transplant at Mayos Florida campus in 2008 enabled him to take his first full breath of air at age 64.

Regenerative medicine is an extraordinary step in the evolution of mankind, says Jorge Bacardi. It is for Leslie and I a great honor to be able to join Mayo Clinic in the development of such an advancement in the medical field."

Regenerative medicine is addressing the root causes of disease and disability by developing ways to rejuvenate the body using its natural self-healing processes; replace damaged cells with healthy ones derived from the patient (avoiding immune system rejection); and regenerate function by applying specific cells or cell products.

Mayos regenerative medicine researchers are targeting conditions throughout the body, including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimers disease and traumatic injuries that affect combat veterans. Some studies are in the earliest stages. Others are in clinical trials with patients.

Originally posted here:
Bacardi's Gift to Significantly Advance Mayo Clinics Regenerative Medicine Research