Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

Patient Testimonial 8 By: Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre … Continue reading →

By Maureen Salamon HealthDay Reporter Latest Womens Health News FRIDAY, July 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For the millions of women who can't cough, sneeze or laugh without losing bladder control, researchers are testing a treatment that uses stem cells to regenerate weakened urethra muscles. In a small pilot study, European researchers found that injecting stem cells isolated from patients' own fat tissue improved or eliminated stress incontinence in all participants within a year. Stress incontinence affects about twice as many women as men because of pelvic floor strain from pregnancy and childbirth. Most women who choose to treat the condition undergo a procedure that inserts surgical mesh between the urethra and vagina to reduce urine leakage, urologists said. But widening controversy over the use of surgical mesh makes the idea of stem cell treatment even more attractive. "This is an application that makes sense because of the ease of access to the urethra, which isn't a difficult area to inject," said Dr. Timothy Boone, chairman of urology at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, who wasn't involved in the study. Globally, similar research is under way on the use of stem cells to treat stress incontinence. However, "a lot of … Continue reading →

Here we go again. In the decade since California voters established a one-of-a-kind state stem-cell research agency with $3 billion in bond funding, the agency has been in the news over and over because of conflicts of interests. Members of the board governing the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine often are employed by institutions seeking board grants. While these members cant vote directly to give grants to their employers, the incentive for mutually beneficial voting is obvious. Thats why ethical complaints began almost as soon as the first grants were made. Last year, finally, the institute added some strong new safeguards. Its key members then made the rounds at California newspapers to argue that it was time for the medias focus to shift to all the promising work that agency grants had yielded. Their argument seemed reasonable. But this week, the U-T reported that recently resigned institute President Alan Trounson is joining the board of StemCells Inc. which got $19.4 million in grants from the agency. Trounson hasnt broken any law, and agency officials are properly critical of his decision. But this still makes the stem-cell institute look shabby and the timing could hardly be worse. The original $3 billion … Continue reading →

Patient Testimonial 1 By: Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre … Continue reading →

Patient Testimonial 6 By: Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre … Continue reading →

Patient Testimonial 7 By: Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre … Continue reading →

Alan Trounson, then president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, poses for a portrait at his offices in San Francisco, Monday, March 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) The former head of California's stem cell agency, which is handing out $3 billion of voter-approved funds for research, has joined the board of a major grant recipient one week after leaving his post. Alan Trounson, the former president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, has joined the board of StemCells Inc., the recipient of $19.4 million from the agency. The agency has been grappling with potential conflicts of interest, some of which are built into its governance under Proposition 71, approved by voters in 2004. CIRM paid $700,000 for a report last year making recommendations on how to mitigate conflicts. Trounson's move has reignited debate over the issue. "The announcement raises serious and obvious concerns on a number of fronts," Chairman Jonathan Thomas wrote to his colleagues on the CIRM board. "Under state law, however, it is permissible for Dr. Trounson to accept employment with a CIRM-funded company. Nonetheless, state law does impose some restrictions on Dr. Trounsons post-CIRM employment activities. Board members will be forbidden to discuss the company … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise LA JOLLA-The ability to switch out one gene for another in a line of living stem cells has only crossed from science fiction to reality within this decade. As with any new technology, it brings with it both promise--the hope of fixing disease-causing genes in humans, for example--as well as questions and safety concerns. Now, Salk scientists have put one of those concerns to rest: using gene-editing techniques on stem cells doesn't increase the overall occurrence of mutations in the cells. The new results were published July 3 in the journal Cell Stem Cell. "The ability to precisely modify the DNA of stem cells has greatly accelerated research on human diseases and cell therapy," says senior author Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, professor in Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory. "To successfully translate this technology into the clinic, we first need to scrutinize the safety of these modified stem cells, such as their genome stability and mutational load." When scientists want to change the sequence of a stretch of DNA inside cells--either for research purposes or to fix a genetic mutation for therapeutic purposes--they have their choice of two methods. They can use an engineered … Continue reading →

Patient Testimonial 3 By: Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre … Continue reading →

By Sarah Gordon Published: 06:20 EST, 7 July 2014 | Updated: 09:58 EST, 7 July 2014 48 shares 27 View comments The spectacular Bahamas beach that formed the backdrop for a Jaws film and saw Daniel Craig emerge from its azure waters in Casino Royale, is in danger of environmental calamity, claim campaigners. Fashion tycoon Peter Nygard has had a home on a peninsula above Clifton Bay in the Bahamian capital Nassau since 1984, but his plans to build stem cell research centre at the site has sparked a row with environmentalists. The Canadian fashion mogul, behind the brand Nygard, has been accused of expanding the size of his property from three to six acres by laying down concrete to affect water flow and therefore build up beaches around his home. Bond in the Bahamas: Daniel Craig emerged from the sea at Clifton Beach in Casino Royale Campaigners say that this action has affected the flow of sand to Clifton Beach, one of the most famous public beaches in the Bahamas, leaving parts of it with no sand whatsoever. Link: Bahamas beach that starred Bond film 'under threat' from fashion tycoon Peter Nygard … Continue reading →