In a recently published study from the Queen Mary University of London, scientists discovered a connection between the length of cilia [hair-like projections for cell movement] on stem cells and their proclivity towards differentiating into fat cells. By restricting the elongation of stem cell cilia, the researchers were able to impede on the formation of new fat cells.
Topics: Eye, Bone loss, Bone, Debilitating Diseases, kidney, Stemcells, autologousstemcells, Blindness
Ophthalmologists James L Funderburgh, Ph.D. and Fatima Syed-Picard, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh have devised a method for treating corneal blindness by utilizing dental pulp stem cells. The researchers harvested the stem cells from molars discarded during routine extraction and induced the cells to differentiate into keratocytes [corneal cells]. They then seeded the cells onto a nanofiber scaffold, allowing them to grow into fully developed, functional corneas capable of restoring eyesight.
Topics: Eye, stemsaveblog, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, Teeth, autologousstemcells, dentalstemcells, dental pulp stem cells, Blindness
A team of researchers led by Professor Andrew Lotery at Southampton General Hospital have discovered a source of retinal stem cells on the surface of the eye. If scientists can harvest these readily accessible stem cells, convert them to light-sensitive cells, and then transplant them back into the eye, the cells could provide new treatments for age-related macular degeneration [AMD].
Topics: neural stem cells, Eye, stemsaveblog, dry age-related macular degeneration, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, autologousstemcells, Blindness
Two studies presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Orlando, FL, have proposed methods to differentiate autologous non-embryonic stem cells into various eye cells that can be utilized to replace damaged tissue in patients with impaired vision. In one study the researchers converted stem cells in the front of the eye to nerve cells in the back of the eye. In the second, stem cells were introduced to specific growth factors that promoted their development into eye tissue.
Topics: Eye, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, autologousstemcells, Blindness
A research team led by Doctor Alexander Seifalian at University College London is currently creating custom lab-grown organs and body parts for patients utilizing autologous [the patient’s own] stem cells. The scientists have engineered a polymer material that they mold into the shape of an organ in need, infuse with the patient’s stem cells, and then transplant back onto the patient’s body.
Topics: Skin, Artery, nose, Eye, stemsaveblog, clinical trials, stomach, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, Bile duct, Ears, autologousstemcells, cartilage, Bladder, tear duct
Researchers from the Institute for Ophthalmology at the University College of London report on a significant advancement in stem cell therapy that can potentially lead to new treatments for blindness. Adult stem cells were manipulated into rod cells and then injected into blind animal models, partially restoring the vision of the animals.
Topics: Eye, stemsaveblog, aging, clinical trials, dry age-related macular degeneration, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, Blindness
Collaborating reseachers from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Bonn University Hospital and the Neural Stem Cell Institute in New York have successfully replaced damaged cells in eyes impaired by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with human stem cells. This implantation technique, conducted in an animal study is the first of its kind and represents a significant advance in developing personalized treatments for patients suffering from a variety of age-related visual impairment issues.
Topics: Eye, stemsaveblog, aging, dry age-related macular degeneration, Stemcells, autologousstemcells, Blindness
Researchers at University of Wisconsin’s McPherson Eye Research Institute are utilizing stem cells to develop a patient-specific model of a rare form of macular degeneration - Best Disease. The model has led researchers to a better understanding of the cellular processes that cause the disease which should lead to the development of more effective treatment options.
Topics: Eye, stemsaveblog, dry age-related macular degeneration, Stemcells, autologousstemcells, Best Disease
Advances in regenerative medicine, spearheaded by AFIRM [Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine], are restoring function to wounded soldiers. A consortium of research centers is developing techniques to grow body parts, such as ears, bones, skin and genitals. AFIRM is directing 300 million dollars to develop a broad array of regenerative treatments that will impact treatment options for both wounded soldiers and the general population. Many of the treatments are now entering the clinical [human] testing phase with the prospect of growing organs and tissue ‘on demand’ utilizing the patient’s own stem cells on the horizon.
Topics: Skin, Eye, stemsaveblog, Debilitating Diseases, Stemcells, Teeth, Ears, autologousstemcells, Blindness, Genitals
Retinitis Pigmentosa
According to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, “Millions of people in North America live with varying degrees of irreversible vision loss because they have an untreatable, degenerative eye disorder like retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which affects an estimated 1.5 million people worldwide, or age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss in Canada and North America.”
Topics: Eye, stemsaveblog, Stemcells, autologousstemcells
AAOMS - American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
As the industry leader, StemSave is the only stem cell banking service to be designated as an ASI approved program.
