Category Archives: Cell Medicine

MOBILE, Alabama -- The Baldwin County doctor that treated former Alabama football players with adult stem cells also has treated at least two people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. One of the ALS patients, former NFL football player and college coach Frank Orgel, recently underwent a new stem cell reprogramming technique performed by Dr. Jason R. Williams at Precision StemCell in Gulf Shores. Before the injections, Orgels health had declined. He could not move his left arm or leg. He couldnt walk or stand on his own, he said. Within a few days of having the stem cell treatment, Orgels constant muscle twitching diminished, said Bob Hubbard, director of stem cell therapy at the practice. Within weeks, he was able to walk in a pool of water and stand unassisted. I think its helped me, said Orgel, who was a defensive coordinator at Auburn under former head coach Pat Dye. Im walking in the pool and I used to drag my feet. Now my left leg is picking up. ALS is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in … Continue reading →

Public release date: 29-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Elisabeth (Lisa) Lyons elyons@cell.com 617-386-2121 Cell Press Latest annual citation reports confirm Cell Press delivers highly valued, highly cited research and reviews to the scientific community it serves We are delighted to report that the new impact factors align with community perception and confirm that Cell Press continues to publish the highest impact research and reviews in the biomedical sciences, according to the latest Journal Citation Reports published by Thomas Reuters. Cell Press's flagship journal Cell received an impressive impact factor of 32.403. Showing strong and steady growth, Cell's impact factor has increased by 9% since 2005, maintaining its status as the premier research journal in its field. Cell is currently ranked the number one research journal in the 'Cell Biology' and 'Biochemistry & Molecular Biology' categories. Over 70% of journals within the Trends review journal series increased in impact factor this year, with significant growth across several life science disciplines. Top performers include Trends in Cognitive Science, which increased by 30% to 12.586, Trends in Immunology, which grew 9% to 10.403, and Trends in Ecology and Evolution, which rose 9% to 15.748. Published by Cell Press since 2007, … Continue reading →

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fluxion Biosciences, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a collaboration with the Stanford University School of Medicine focused on developing tests to help deliver more effective therapies to cancer patients. The laboratory of Dr. Stefanie Jeffrey is utilizing Fluxions IsoFlux System to isolate, recover, and analyze rare circulating cancer cells at the molecular level. Circulating tumor cells disseminate from primary tumors and enter the peripheral bloodstream. These cells have been shown to contribute to the metastatic process in carcinomas such as breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Using the unique molecular signatures of each cancer patients disease status, a new generation of personalized cancer therapies is emerging. Access to cancer tissue represents one of the most significant challenges in characterizing cancer. Tests that utilize minimally-invasive blood draws will play a pivotal role in identifying these molecular profiles and how they change over time. The IsoFlux System provides a real-time liquid biopsy that delivers high quality samples optimized for molecular analysis. The IsoFlux System installed in Dr. Jeffreys laboratory targets a number of applications, including mutational analysis and cancer cell culturing, in collaboration with Visiting Professor, Dr. Shanaz Dairkee. The IsoFlux System utilizes a … Continue reading →

Harvard Bioscience's "InBreath" Bioreactors Used in World's First Successful Regenerated Laryngotracheal Transplants First Two Transplants Performed in Government-Approved Clinical Trial in Russia HOLLISTON, Mass., June 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (HBIO), a global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of tools to advance life science research and regenerative medicine, announces that its "InBreath" bioreactors were used for the world's first and second successful laryngotracheal implants, using synthetic laryngotracheal scaffolds seeded with cells taken from the patients' bone marrow. The surgeries took place at Krasnodar Regional Hospital in Krasnodar, Russia on June 19th and June 21st. The recipients of the implants, Julia T. and Aleksander Z., are recovering well. The implants in the procedures were grown in bioreactors developed by the regenerative medicine device business of Harvard Bioscience. The transplants, which required more than a half-year of preparation, were performed on the first two patients enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial at Krasnodar Regional Hospital. The Russian Ministry of Health has approved a clinical protocol for an unlimited number of patients in this trial, all of which will involve trachea procedures. Each bioreactor was specifically adapted by Harvard Bioscience to the clinical requirements for each patient. … Continue reading →

VATICAN CITY, Italy, June 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, as part of an ongoing mission to advance scientific research on adult stem cell therapies and explore their cultural and ethical implications, Monsignor Tomasz Trafny of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, joined Dr. Robin Smith, CEO of NeoStem (NYSE MKT:NBS) and Chairman and President of the Stem for Life Foundation, and Dr. Max Gomez, trustee of the Stem for Life Foundation, to present the first copy of their forthcoming book, Our Stem Cells: The Mystery of Life and Secrets of Healing, to The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. The book is the result of a unique collaboration between the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture (via its charitable foundation STOQ International) and the Stem for Life Foundation, and will be available later this year. It includes a special address by His Holiness Benedict XVI, urging increased support and awareness for advancements in adult stem cell research in order to alleviate human suffering. The book focuses on concepts discussed at the First International Vatican Adult Stem Cell Conference (2011) and presents the reader with an engaging, comprehensive overview of adult stem cells and their vital role in a future of regenerative … Continue reading →

Public release date: 26-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair Putnam Valley, NY. (June 26 , 2012) Researchers in Japan who evaluated the risks and efficacy of transplanting two varieties of stem cells into mouse cochlea have concluded that both adult-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities. However, there is a risk of tumor growth associated with transplanting iPS cells into mouse cochleae. Given the potential for tumorigenesis, they concluded that the source of iPS cells is a critical issue for iPS cell-based therapy. Their study is published in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (21:4), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/, "Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide," said Dr. Takayuki Nakagawa of the Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan. "Recent studies have indicated the potential of stem-cell based approaches for the regeneration of hair cells and associated auditory primary neurons. These structures are essential for hearing and defects result in profound hearing loss and deafness." The authors noted that embryonic stem cells have previously been identified as promising … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/xlqrsk/skeletal_biology_a) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book "Skeletal Biology and Medicine II: Bone and cartilage homeostasis and bone disease" to their offering. The volume features current basic, clinical, and translational research on aspects of skeletal morphogenesis and remodeling in health and disease. Papers survey vital new insights into the mechanisms of bone development and restructuring, including cellular and mechanical triggers, receptors and signaling pathways. Also covered are the effects of other physiological systems and disease states, such as immune system inflammation, diabetes, infection, and cancer on musculoskeletal health. Recent findings are shaping therapeutic directions that focus on both anti-resorptive and anabolic therapies. Basic scientists, clinical investigators, and clinicians with interests spanning endocrinology, physiology, cell biology, pathology, genetics, molecular biology, rheumatology, oncology, and other areas that relate to bone development and homeostasis will find this a valuable resource for the most recent developments in skeletal biology and medicine. This volume presents manuscripts stemming from the 4th New York Skeletal Biology and Medicine Conference, held at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City on April 27-30, 2011. The papers included in this volume include two of the topic areas … Continue reading →

The Sugar Land company involved in Gov. Rick Perry's unlicensed adult stem-cell procedure is rife with basic manufacturing problems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a report one expert called a blow to the entire adult stem-cell industry, the FDA found that Celltex Therapeutics Corp. cannot guarantee the sterility, uniformity and integrity of stem cells it takes from people and then stores and grows for eventual therapeutic reinjection. "You have not performed a validation of your banking and thawing process to assure viability" of the stem cells, reads the April 27 report, meaning that the company cannot verify the cells are alive. The FDA report, which followed an April 16-27 inspection of Celltex, was released under the Freedom of Information Act Monday to the Houston Chronicle and a University of Minnesota bioethicist who complained in February that Celltex is a potential danger to patients and not in compliance with federal law. The report, partially redacted, was not accompanied by a warning letter. A former FDA official who asked not to be identified, however, said the deficiencies - 79 in all, from incorrectly labeled products to failed sterility tests - are so serious that Celltex risks being shut … Continue reading →

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Fertility experts at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMANJ) announced that they will partner with Auxogyn, Inc., to conduct a groundbreaking IVF study that aims to advance the goals of single embryo transfer (SET), and reduce the financial and health implications of multiple pregnancies. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120402/NY80340LOGO) "Our objectives at RMANJ are two-fold: To increase the healthy live birth rate for those undergoing assisted reproductive procedures, and to decrease the multiple embryo transfer rate, thereby reducing multiple pregnancies," commented Richard T. Scott, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.O.G., H.C.L.D., founding partner of RMANJ. "Through this collaborative research study with Auxogyn, we will explore new, previously unidentified factors that cause one chromosomally normal embryo to implant where another seemingly healthy embryo does not. These discoveries could directly impact clinical practice in the future, moving us closer to the ultimate goal of the IVF field one embryo, one healthy baby." For patients enrolled in the study, researchers will evaluate the use of both RMANJ's proprietary Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) and Auxogyn's Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) Test to detect healthy embryos prior to implantation. CCS is a rapid-method 24-chromosome screening technique that accurately identifies whether embryos are euploid (have … Continue reading →

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Fertility experts at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMANJ) announced that they will partner with Auxogyn, Inc., to conduct a groundbreaking IVF study that aims to advance the goals of single embryo transfer (SET), and reduce the financial and health implications of multiple pregnancies. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120402/NY80340LOGO) "Our objectives at RMANJ are two-fold: To increase the healthy live birth rate for those undergoing assisted reproductive procedures, and to decrease the multiple embryo transfer rate, thereby reducing multiple pregnancies," commented Richard T. Scott, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.O.G., H.C.L.D., founding partner of RMANJ. "Through this collaborative research study with Auxogyn, we will explore new, previously unidentified factors that cause one chromosomally normal embryo to implant where another seemingly healthy embryo does not. These discoveries could directly impact clinical practice in the future, moving us closer to the ultimate goal of the IVF field one embryo, one healthy baby." For patients enrolled in the study, researchers will evaluate the use of both RMANJ's proprietary Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) and Auxogyn's Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) Test to detect healthy embryos prior to implantation. CCS is a rapid-method 24-chromosome screening technique that accurately identifies whether embryos are euploid (have … Continue reading →