WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

ViaCord, PerkinElmers family cord blood and tissue preservation business, is collaborating with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) to collect, maintain and publish research from ViaCords cord blood stem cell transplants. This collaboration will expand knowledge of cord blood-derived stem cell applications throughout the medical and research community. To date, CIBMTRs large network of transplant centers has resulted in the development of a clinical database of more than 30,000 cord blood transplant recipients for clinical decision-making, use in studies, and other research purposes with the goal of making a profound impact on the survival of cord blood transplant patients around the world. CIBMTR will work directly with ViaCord to collect and analyze data to better understand the quality and any outcome metrics of ViaCords released cord blood stem cell units as well as how the units are being used.

Collaborating with CIBMTR, which has established the industry standard for collecting data around hematopoietic cellular therapy and regenerative medicine, allows us to simultaneously gain insights into the effectiveness of the cord blood stem cell units we have released for use as well as outcomes from their clinical application, said Morey Kraus, Chief Scientific Officer, ViaCord. We are then able to incorporate data from our transplanted units into the larger database, which may be accessed for other CIBMTR studies by the medical and scientific community to further their research and understanding of cord blood stem cells.

ViaCord is working with CIBMTR to collect and publish data as well as identify outcomes unique to related or autologous (stem cells from the same patient) transplants. The collaboration will also enable the analysis of umbilical cord units released for potential future use in autologous cell therapy and regenerative medicine clinical trials, including Cerebral Palsy, Type 1 Diabetes and others.

The science of cord blood and cord tissue stem cells is growing at a rapid pace, said J. Douglas Rizzo, M.D., M.S., Associate Scientific Director, CIBMTR. We are excited to collaborate with ViaCord to provide data and analytic expertise that will assist the development of the field through research.

ViaCord's family cord blood banking services currently offers expectant families the opportunity to preserve their baby's umbilical cord blood for potential medical use by the child or a related family member. Families are also preserving their babys umbilical cord tissue because research suggests that one day these special cells may have the potential to treat medical conditions that are untreatable today. ViaCord has preserved the umbilical cord blood of more than 300,000 newborns. Twenty years ago, cord blood stem cells were used to treat just one disease, Fanconi's anemia. Today, cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of nearly 80 diseases, including cancers, certain blood disorders and immunodeficiencies. Please visit http://www.viacord.com for more information.

Factors Affecting Future Performance This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements relating to estimates and projections of future earnings per share, cash flow and revenue growth and other financial results, developments relating to our customers and end-markets, and plans concerning business development opportunities and divestitures. Words such as "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "will" and similar expressions, and references to guidance, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations and no assurances can be given that our assumptions or expectations will prove to be correct. A number of important risk factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation: (1) markets into which we sell our products declining or not growing as anticipated; (2) fluctuations in the global economic and political environments; (3) our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner; (4) our ability to execute acquisitions and license technologies, or to successfully integrate acquired businesses and licensed technologies into our existing business or to make them profitable, or successfully divest businesses; (5) our failure to adequately protect our intellectual property; (6) the loss of any of our licenses or licensed rights; (7) our ability to compete effectively; (8) fluctuation in our quarterly operating results and our ability to adjust our operations to address unexpected changes; (9) significant disruption in third-party package delivery and import/export services or significant increases in prices for those services; (10) disruptions in the supply of raw materials and supplies; (11) the manufacture and sale of products exposing us to product liability claims; (12) our failure to maintain compliance with applicable government regulations; (13) regulatory changes; (14) our failure to comply with healthcare industry regulations; (15) economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations; (16) our ability to retain key personnel; (17) significant disruption in our information technology systems; (18) our ability to obtain future financing; (19) restrictions in our credit agreements; (20) our ability to realize the full value of our intangible assets; (21) significant fluctuations in our stock price; (22) reduction or elimination of dividends on our common stock; and (23) other factors which we describe under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

About the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research(CIBMTR) A combined research program of the National Marrow Donor Program and the Medical College of Wisconsin, the CIBMTR facilitates critical, cutting-edge research that has led to increased survival and an enriched quality of life for thousands of patients. The CIBMTR collaborates with the global scientific community to advance hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy research worldwide. The prospective and observational research is accomplished through scientific and statistical expertise, a large network of transplant centers and clinical database of more than 350,000 transplant recipients.

About PerkinElmer, Inc. PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global leader focused on improving the health and safety of people and the environment. The company reported revenue of approximately $2.1 billion in 2012, has about 7,500 employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Additional information is available through 1-877-PKI-NYSE, or at http://www.perkinelmer.com.

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ViaCord® to Advance Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy Research through Collaboration with the Center for International ...

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com) a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies announced that Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, VP of Research and Development, will present additional data from the primate study of the use of neuronal cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease at the 16th Annual Meeting of American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, May 15-18, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, UT.

The results, including more detailed analysis of the safety and functional activity of the cells, will be presented orally at the following session:

Session: Stem Cell Engineering and Therapy Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013 Time: 2:00 PM Room: Ballroom D Title: Cell Replacement Therapy for Parkinson's Disease with Neuronal Cells Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells

In addition ISCO will present two posters detailing progress in our pre-clinical metabolic liver disease program and recent achievements with our "safe" iPS cells, induced pluripotent stem cells that do not rely on viral vectors for the genetic reprogramming. The posters will be presented on Thursday, May 16, 2013 between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm in Exhibit Hall C/D.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs) hence avoiding ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

To receive ongoing corporate communications via email, visit: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0

To like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for company updates and industry related news, visit: http://www.facebook.com/InternationalStemCellCorporation and http://www.twitter.com/intlstemcell

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International Stem Cell Corporation to Present at American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 16th Annual Meeting

ALLENDALE, N.J., April 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBS) and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy LLC ("PCT"), announced today the execution of a Services Agreement with Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc. ("Sentien") under which PCT will provide services to support Sentien's development of its cell therapy product, including technology transfer, staff training, and manufacturing.

Sentien is developing an allogeneic cell therapy product consisting of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto a medical device for critical care indications. Sentien has engaged PCT for manufacture of the final formulation of its cell therapy product and intends to transfer and implement Sentien's master cell bank, product working cell bank and product manufacturing processes to PCT. These cell banks will be prepared according to Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") guidelines and implemented by PCT to create a cell therapy product for Sentien's Investigational New Drug ("IND") submission to the FDA. Upon obtaining an IND, Sentien intends to have PCT manufacture GMP compliant grade materials to support Sentien's Phase I clinical trial.

"We are excited to enter into this agreement with Sentien, an innovator for acute organ failure," said Robert A. Preti, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer of PCT. PCT is an internationally recognized contract development and manufacturing organization with facilities in Allendale, New Jersey and Mountain View, California. The company has expertise in GMP manufacture for cell therapies, including dendritic cells, stem cells and T cells. Notably, PCT provided manufacturing for the pivotal studies for Dendreon's Provenge(R), the first cell therapy approved for cancer treatment.

About NeoStem, Inc.

NeoStem, Inc. ("NeoStem" or the "Company") is a leader in the emerging cellular therapy industry. Our business model includes the development of novel proprietary cell therapy products as well as operating a contract development and manufacturing organization ("CDMO") providing services to others in the regenerative medicine industry. The combination of a therapeutic development business and revenue-generating service provider business provides the Company with capabilities for cost effective in-house product development and immediate revenue and cash flow generation. http://www.neostem.com

Forward-Looking Statements for NeoStem, Inc.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy, including with respect to the Company's research and development and clinical evaluation efforts for cellular therapies, including with respect to AMR-001, the future of the regenerative medicine industry and the role of stem cells and cellular therapy in that industry and the Company's ability to successfully grow its contract development and manufacturing business. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the "Risk Factors" described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2013 and in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside its control.

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NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, Enters Into a Services Agreement With Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc.

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."

###

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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http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFbhlnkbhdxLM_jLdofgoxbOJLW9A&url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2013/04/22/ut-students-work-on-entry-for-genetic-engineering-competition

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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http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEuaJwWpDRM5slt8MbPcFE3bH3WJw&url=http://blogs.plos.org/blog/2013/04/25/better-living-through-biotechnology-a-book-review/

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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.

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

Source:
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.

Read the rest here:
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.

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Scripps Research Institute Scientists Find Antibody that Transforms Bone Marrow Stem Cells Directly into Brain Cells

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