Professor Ryan Lister says he is humbled by the award.

A scientist from the University of WA says he is humbled to be awarded the Prime Minister's prize for life science.

Professor Ryan Lister researches epigenomes - the chemical compounds surrounding DNA - and is one of six people to receive a prize for science from Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra.

Professor Lister has mapped how genes are turned on and off, revealing why a leaf cell is different from a root cell or a stem cell different from a skin cell.

He said he hoped his research could be used to improve the understanding of the human brain, transform stem-cell medicine and advance agriculture.

"We need to be able to understand how the different cell types of our bodies form and how they form in healthy states, so that we can understand why they might be disturbed in various disease states," Professor Lister said.

He said the epigenome played a pivotal role in normal development and disease or stress states in humans, animals and plants.

"What we've been able to do is create the first maps of how the brain epigenome changes during development," he said.

"What this will allow us to do in the future is to look at a range of neurological disorders to see whether these chemical signposts added to the DNA are changed or disturbed or altered within these various disease states.

"We're also researching how the epigenome might affect plant development and the growth and health of crops.

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UWA scientist Ryan Lister wins Prime Minister's prize for life science

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Glossary

Below is a glossary of terms related to stem cell research and clinical trials at the Stem Cell Center. For questions about any of these terms, please call the center at 832-355-9405.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)The medical term for a "heart attack."Acute myocardial infarction results from a blockage in one or more of the blood vessels leading to the heart. Damage to the heart muscle results, due to the lack of blood flow.

Adult stem cellAn undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ.Thestemcellcan renew itself and change to yield all the specialized cell types of the tissue or organ.

AkinesiaA lack of myocardial wall motion.

AllogeneicA graft or tissue from someone other than the patient such as a donor or other third-party source.

Angina or angina pectorisChest pain that occurs when diseased blood vessels restrict blood flow to the heart.

AngiogenesisA new blood vessel growth.

AngiographyAn x-raytechniqueinwhichdye is injected into the chambers of your heart or the arteries that lead to your heart (the coronary arteries). The test lets doctors measure the blood flow and blood pressure in the heart chambers and see if the coronary arteries are blocked.

AngioplastyA nonsurgical technique for treating diseased arteries by temporarily inflating a tiny balloon inside an artery.

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Stem Cell Education Center - Texas Heart Institute at St ...

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A common protein plays a different role than previously thought in the opening and closing of channels that let ions flow in and out of our cells, researchers at Johns Hopkins report. Those channels are critical to life, as having the right concentrations of sodium and calcium ions in cells enables healthy brain communication, heart contraction and many other processes. The new study reveals that a form of calmodulin long thought to be dormant actually opens these channels wide. The finding is likely to bring new insight into disorders caused by faulty control of these channels, such as cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, the researchers say.

A report on the finding appears in the Oct. 23 issue of the journal Cell.

In the current model, explains David Yue, M.D., Ph.D. , a professor of biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, calmodulin can do little until it binds to calcium, which changes its shape and snaps it into action. The activated calmodulin can then bind to a specialized control lever inside calcium and sodium channels, which closes the channels.

The new study revises this viewpoint by devising ways to deliver surges of calcium-free calmodulin to channels. In so doing, "it can be seen that calcium-free calmodulin is in no way dormant, but instead markedly boosts the opening of calcium and sodium channels to begin with," Yue says. When calcium binds to the "resident" calcium-free calmodulin on channels, this initial enhancement dissipates. "The two forms of calmodulin are both powerful, each imposing opposing actions that together maintain exquisite control, akin to the 'yin-yang' balance in Chinese philosophy," Yue says. "This insight into how the calmodulin-controlled lever works could ultimately help in finding treatments for a plethora of conditions that stem from faulty ion channels."

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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New view on how cells control what comes in and out

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Oct 27, 2014 The dynamic interplay of calcium-free calmodulin (white yang domain) and calcium-bound calmodulin (dark yin domain) controls the opening of ion channels, shown in the background. Credit: Manu Ben-Johny and David Yue/Johns Hopkins Medicine

A common protein plays a different role than previously thought in the opening and closing of channels that let ions flow in and out of our cells, researchers at Johns Hopkins report. Those channels are critical to life, as having the right concentrations of sodium and calcium ions in cells enables healthy brain communication, heart contraction and many other processes. The new study reveals that a form of calmodulin long thought to be dormant actually opens these channels wide. The finding is likely to bring new insight into disorders caused by faulty control of these channels, such as cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, the researchers say.

A report on the finding appears in the Oct. 23 issue of the journal Cell.

In the current model, explains David Yue, M.D., Ph.D. , a professor of biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, calmodulin can do little until it binds to calcium, which changes its shape and snaps it into action. The activated calmodulin can then bind to a specialized control lever inside calcium and sodium channels, which closes the channels.

The new study revises this viewpoint by devising ways to deliver surges of calcium-free calmodulin to channels. In so doing, "it can be seen that calcium-free calmodulin is in no way dormant, but instead markedly boosts the opening of calcium and sodium channels to begin with," Yue says. When calcium binds to the "resident" calcium-free calmodulin on channels, this initial enhancement dissipates. "The two forms of calmodulin are both powerful, each imposing opposing actions that together maintain exquisite control, akin to the 'yin-yang' balance in Chinese philosophy," Yue says. "This insight into how the calmodulin-controlled lever works could ultimately help in finding treatments for a plethora of conditions that stem from faulty ion channels."

Explore further: Cellular gates for sodium and calcium controlled by common element of ancient origin

More information: Cell, http://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(14)01235-5

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have spotted a strong family trait in two distant relatives: The channels that permit entry of sodium and calcium ions into cells turn out to share similar means for regulating ...

Scientists at Johns Hopkins report they have figured out a key step in how "free" calciumthe kind not contained in bonesis managed in the body, a finding that could aid in the development of new treatments for a variety ...

Cells rely on calcium as a universal means of communication. For example, a sudden rush of calcium can trigger nerve cells to convey thoughts in the brain or cause a heart cell to beat. A longstanding mystery has been how ...

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Study gives new view on how cells control what comes in and out

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Nonsurgical pain management for joint arthritis, such as in the knee, shoulder or hip, has so far consisted predominantly of pain suppressing medicines. This usually entails steroid injections, topical analgesic creams and medications by mouth such as anti-inflammatory medications. What has really been necessary, though, is a treatment that truly alters the underlying problem.

Stem Cells are like a blank slate and can differentiate into all types of cells for regeneration.

Regenerative medicine provides the opportunity for a real cure with stem cells, platelet rich plasma and growth factors to heal damage. One of the foremost procedures at TeleHealth Medical Group that continues to increase in popularity is bone marrow derived stem cell injections. A persons own bone marrow contains a substantial amount of the stem cells and additional biologic materials necessary for regeneration, with the added benefit of being low risk and outpatient.

What are bone marrow derived stem cell injections?

The main reason that stem cells are used as therapy for arthritis and other conditions that experience joint pain is that they maintain regenerative properties with the potential to repair and reverse damaged joints.

Bone marrow is a spongy tissue contained inside ones bones, and makes cells that are crucial to existence including platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. All of these cells start in the marrow as stem cells, which are basically a blank slate type of cell. With a blank slate, the cell can then turn into many different types of cells needed in the body including cartilage, tendon or muscle. There are three types of adult stem cells in the human body. The first type of stem cell turns into blood components, with a second destined to become lining of the endometrium.

The third, and most important for musculoskeletal regenerative medicine, are mesenchymal stem cells found in bone marrow. They have been used in animal models to regenerate cartilage and in human models to regenerate bone. (Centeno et al, 2008)

The largest and easiest sources of stem cells for concentrated amounts of bone marrow are in the iliac crest of the hip and the bones of the spine. For the easiest process at TeleHealth, the iliac crest is used for the procedures in an outpatient setting.

Harvesting bone marrow from the iliac crest hip bone.

How are these injections performed?

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Bone Marrow Stem Cell Injections, Mesenchymal Stem Cell ...

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The bone marrow and stem cell transplant program at the Siteman Cancer Center is one of the largest in the world, completing nearly 500 transplants each year and more than 5,000 since 1982. The program has performed unrelated donor transplants since 1992.

Our physicians use the latest clinical techniques and resources to collect stem cells or peripheral blood for allogeneic transplants, in which transplanted cells come from siblings and unrelated donors. By manipulating stem cell grafts, they also are working to reduce tumor contamination and bolster immunity. Whenever it is appropriate, they recommend that patients participate inclinical trials, research studies that test whether new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer are safe and effective.

At any given time, Siteman offers more than 40 therapeutic clinical trials for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and related disorders, including studies that incorporate transplant. Our large patient population allows us to offer single-institution studies and provides us with access to a wide range of tissue samples for future study.

In recent years, Siteman physicians have conducted clinical studies that led to the approval of the drug plerixafor to mobilize, or harvest, stem cells for transplant in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. They participated in studies that showed decitabine and high-dose lenalidomide were effective treatments for elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). And they were the first to use a novel suicide gene for gene therapy to control graft-versus-host disease, a serious complication of transplantation.

Dedicated facilities include a 26-bed unit for patients undergoing transplant, which offers eight ICU beds and special HEPA filtration systems to reduce the risk of infection and a second unit for transplant patients and those with blood-related cancers, currently licensed for 38 beds.

Our program has long been an active member of theNational Marrow Donor Program, International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry, North American Bone Marrow Transplant Registry, Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network and Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Transplant Consortium.

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Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 12:39 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 12:39 p.m.

Jaimonee Hagins, 12, a seventh-grade student at Howard Middle School, needs a blood and marrow transplant to help battle the disease, which often has her in such deep pain she cannot attend classes.

Understanding only too well the ravages of sickle cell anemia is her mother, Charlet Harrison, of Ocala. She and her brother Myron Harrison grew up with the condition.

Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease, an inherited disorder in which red blood cells are abnormally shaped. This results in painful episodes, serious infections, chronic anemia and damage to body organs.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a blood and marrow stem cell transplant can work well for treating sickle cell anemia as it replaces faulty stem cells with healthy ones. Stem cells are found in bone marrow.

According to Dr. Ali Nassar of Munroe Heart, A bone marrow transplant produces new cells. Donor to recipient genetically must be a close match. Only with identical twins is the match 100 percent. If the procedure is a success, it is considered a cure.

I hope I will find a donor. If they help me, they will save my life, Jaimonee said.

When asked what has been the most difficult part of her disorder, she said the surgeries. She also said the frequent pain is real achy.

According to her mother, Jaimonees surgeries have included removal of her spleen, at age 1, and her gall bladder, at age 4. She has had episodes affecting other major organs.

Blood cells get clogged. Normally, they are round in shape in order to flow through the body. When they get clogged, they cause pain, Charlet Harrison said. A clog on an arm or leg is easy to get over; it is when they get clogged in your heart or another major organ that damage occurs. The spleen and gall bladder, with sickle cell patients, are the first to go. Seventy-five percent of patients have these organs removed.

Link:
Blood, donor drive to benefit girl with sickle cell anemia

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5-4-3-2-1 Product Countdown

Stem Cell Skin Care Reviews presents expert & user reviews and analysis of the best (& worst) products in leading edge anti-aging skin care science. Here are the 5 top ranked products as rated by expert reviewers, who are dermatologists, biologists, estheticians, physicians, and product formulators. Click on a stem cell skin care product name or image to view detailed information, or visitthe all reviewssection to examine a larger selection of stem cell skin care products and to search by name, category, or key word.

Rank

Product / Company

Source of Cells for Cytokines & Growth Factors

Expert Rating

User Rating

Cost (oz)

Online store

The editors and reviewers here are all science nerds and our passionate pursuit of the best stem cell skin creams on the planet separates us fromneurotypicals andputs us somewhere on the spectrum. That being said, we think this whole subject is critically important to survival of the home sapiens species. Especially to skin care aficionados (many of whom also qualify for nerddom). So our desire here is to find a way to communicate all this arcane knowledge into human-usable information. We might not get it right the first time around, so feel free to ask questions or just say say what??? whenever we obfuscate. We have gathered together a knowledge base which we hope will be helpful.

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Best Stem Cell Skin Care Beauty Creams and Serums

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As we age, the reduced turnover of our cells means we can lose control over how our skin ages. Epidermal stem cells needed to create healthy new skin are significantly reduced and function less efficiently. A discovery based on promising plant stem cell research may allow you to regain control.

Scientists have found that a novel extract derived from the stem cells of a rare apple tree cultivated for its extraordinary longevity shows tremendous ability to rejuvenate aging skin. By stimulating aging skin stem cells, this plant extract has been shown to lessen the appearance of unsightly wrinkles. Clinical trials show that this unique formulation increases the longevity of skin cells, resulting in skin that has a more youthful and radiant appearance.

Cells in our bodies are programmed for specific functions. A skin cell, a brain cell, and a liver cell all contain the same DNA, or set of genes. However, each cells fate is determined by a set of epigenetic (able to change gene expression patterns) signals that come from inside it and from the surrounding cells as well. These signals are like command tags attached to the DNA that switch certain genes on or off.

This selective coding creates all of the different kinds of cells in our bodies, which are collectively known as differentiated (specialized) cells.

Although differentiated cells vary widely in purpose and appearance, they all have one thing in common: they all come with a built-in operational limit. After so many divisions, they lose their ability to divide and must be replaced. This is where stem cells come in.

Your body also produces other cells that contain no specific programming. These stem cells are blank, so your body can essentially format them any way it pleases. Two universal aspects shared by this type of cell are: (1) the ability to replenish itself through a process of self-renewal and (2) the capacity to produce a differentiated cell.

In animals and humans, two basic kinds of stem cells exist: embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have the power to change into any differentiated cell type found anywhere in your body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are generally more limited. They can only evolve into the specific type of cell found in the tissue where they are located. The primary function of these adult stem cells is maintenance and repair.

But certain adult stem cells found in nature retain the unlimited developmental potential that embryonic stem cells possess. These cells have become the main focus for an exciting new wave of regenerative medicine (repairing damaged or diseased tissues and organs using advanced techniques like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering).

The basal (innermost) layer of the skins epidermis comprises two basic types of cells: (1) the slowly dividing epidermal stem cells (that represent about 2-7% of the basal cell population) and (2) their rapidly dividing offspring that supply new cells to replace those that are lost or dying.1-3

The slow self-renewal process of epidermal stem cells, however, creates a problem. Because each epidermal stem cell only lasts for a certain number of divisions, and because each division runs the risk of lethal DNA mutation, the epidermal stem cell population can become depleted. When this happens, lost or dying skin cells begin to outnumber their replacements and the skins health and appearance start to decline.

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Apple Stem Cells Offer Hope for Aging and Damaged Skin ...

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Cellular Dynamics International(CDI) is getting a $1.2 million contract from the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, as part of an effort to fight macular degeneration, a condition that leads to loss of vision.

By reprogramming skin and blood samples from patients with age-related macular degeneration, CDI will create induced pluripotent stem cells and will turn them into human retina cells. The cells will be put back into the patient's eyes to treat the disorder.

Ten patients have been chosen for a pilot study of the process by the National Eye Institute, CDI said.

The Madison company said the process, called autologous cellular therapy, will be the first in the U.S. using a patient's own reprogrammed cells.

Publicly traded CDI was founded by UW-Madison stem cell pioneer James Thomson in 2004 and manufactures large quantities of human stem cells for drug discovery, safety screening and for stem cell banks.

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Cellular Dynamics receives contract to make eye cells

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IPS Stem Cells: New Ethical Quandaries By Sally Lehrman

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When scientists learned how to turn back the clock in a young skin cell, to bring it back to an early-stage cell that could become any other type in the body, both they and ethicists rejoiced. The reprogrammed cell was pluripotent, much like an embryonic stem cell. Maybe even better, it also might be prompted to jump from one cell type to another.

One day, these induced pluripotent stem cells -- iPS cells for short -- might be able to correct any number of life-threatening and disabling conditions. Much sooner, these cells will almost certainly serve as extremely useful models for studying disease.

The researchers used viruses to deliver three to four new genes into the cell nucleus. And with the new information, the skin cells reprogrammed themselves. They behaved almost exactly like embryonic stem cells, which are derived from fertilized eggs. But with these reprogrammed cells, people thought, there would be no moral and political controversy. No embryo would be destroyed.

Recently, new studies have taken the work a step further. Researchers used synthetic RNA instead of viruses to get new instructions into the cell nucleus. This sped up the process and lessened the possibility of side effects such as cancer when the cells finally become a treatment for patients. (They're called RNA-induced pluripotent cells.)

But as researchers and ethicists take a closer look at these iPS cells, they are realizing that the issues posed are as thorny as ever. In fact, the issues may be even more urgent because the new techniques are so much easier and cheaper. The concerns fall into three main areas.

First, the possibility of human cloning from one person's skin cells or human reproduction from cells made into sperm and egg. The possibility is far-off, but real. Scientists already have reported progress that could lead to either. One could become a parent at any age, using tissue from someone either living or dead.

More immediate concerns have to do with control of the original tissue donation and the purposes to which it is applied.

For instance, privacy. Because of the desire to use these cells to study or treat diseases such as Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes or Alzheimer's, it will be important to know the donor's health history. The donor's personal information and health history must always be linked to the cells. It may be impossible to maintain donor privacy.

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IPS Stem Cells: New Ethical Quandaries - Santa Clara ...

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The long-term goal of Dr. Ikeda's lab is to develop efficient and safe gene and cell therapy platforms for individualized medicine. Dr. Ikeda's main research interests include induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology as a novel diabetes therapy; adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy for diabetes and cardiovascular disease; and intrinsic immunity against HIV and retroviral infection.

Towards patient-specific iPS cells for a novel cell therapy for type I diabetes

Dr. Ikeda's research interests include:

Gene and cell therapy for diabetes. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology enables derivation of pluripotent stem cells from nonembryonic sources. Successful differentiation of autologous iPS cells into islet-like cells could allow in vitro modeling of patient-specific disease pathogenesis and future clinical cell therapy for diabetes. However, an efficient methodology is not available for the generation of glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells from iPS cells in vitro.

Recently, the lab has examined the efficiency of iPS differentiation into glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells using a modified stepwise protocol with indolactam V and GLP-1 and demonstrated successful generation of islet-like cells, which expressed pancreas-specific markers. Importantly, the iPS-derived islet-like cells secreted C peptide in a glucose-dependent manner. The lab is currently working on reprogramming diabetic patient-derived cells into genomic modification-free iPS cells using nonintegrating vectors, as well as studying the therapeutic effects of iPS-derived insulin-producing islet-like cells in a diabetic mouse model.

Additionally, the lab has developednovel pancreatic gene delivery vectors and is currently studying the therapeutic effects of pancreatic overexpression of factors known to accelerate beta cell regeneration and neogenesis in diabetic mouse models.

Gene therapy for hypertensive heart disease. Altered myocardial structure and function secondary to hypertensive heart disease are leading causes of heart failure and death. A frequent clinical phenotype of cardiac disease is diastolic dysfunction associated with high blood pressure, which over time leads to profound cardiac remodeling, fibrosis and progression to congestive heart failure.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has blood pressure lowering, anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertrophic properties, making it an attractive therapeutic for attenuating the adverse cardiac remodeling associated with hypertension. However, use of natriuretic peptides for chronic therapy has been limited by their extremely short in vivo half-life. Recently, the lab usedmyocardium-tropic adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-based vectors and demonstrated long-term cardiac BNP expression in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Sustained BNP expression significantly lowered blood pressure for up to nine months and improved the cardiac functions in hypertensive heart disease.

The lab is currently examining the feasibility of this strategy in a large animal model for future clinical applications, as well as further developing a gene therapy strategy for hypertensive heart disease using other therapeutic genes.

Pathogenesis of HIV and retroviruses. Mammalian cells have evolved several strategies to limit viral production. For instance, type 1 interferons stimulate a series of cellular factors that block viral gene expression by degrading viral RNA or inhibiting protein translation.

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Overview Gene and Cell Therapy for Diabetes and ...

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11 04 2014 | Conscious Minds (Ch19 Vs2)
11/04/2014 New Mix "CONSCIOUS MINDS (Ch19 Vs2)" By DJ Khaaliq Available On CD Downloads 1) Intro 2) Nas-Project Window 3) Erykah Badu-Bag Lady (RMX) 4) J Cole-Crooked Smile 5) ...

By: DJ Khaaliq

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11 04 2014 | Conscious Minds (Ch19 Vs2) - Video

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Since last year, Im sharing some trends in cell therapy clinical trials. Real time tracking of all registered trials allows to identify trends in multiple dimensions. Today Im posting a snapshot of trending for the last 3 years from 2011 to 2013. There could be some minimal discrepancies in numbers between this and previous reports (due to accidental detection of trials which were not captured initially). Please refer to this report as the latest update.

Total number of trials Total number of cell therapy trials, registered in international databases, continue to increase. From 2011 to 2013 a total number of trials increase about 2 times.

The value of US NCT database (ClinicalTrials.gov) remains constant over the years, representing 74% of all registered cell therapy trials internationally.

Sponsorship The number on industry-sponsored clinical trials significantly increased in 2013, compared to previous two years. In the same time, the number of academic trials continue to grow even more rapidly.

Demographics As in the previous 2 years, US and China dominated all other countries in number of cell therapy trials in 2013. However, the US trend is positive, but Chinas trend is negative. Interestingly, Japan made a biggest jump up in 2013. South Korea, UK and Iran stay pretty much flat over last 3 years.

This graph shows a value of the most representative countries in % of total trials number.

If we look at regions in general, we will not able to see significant fluctuations in the last few years. Id only notice a shrinkage of Europe in 2013.

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Current Trends in Cell Therapy

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Welcome to Regenexx Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis & Injuries The Regenexx Procedures are a family of non-surgical stem cell and blood platelet treatments for common injuries and degenerative joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis. These stem cell procedures utilize a patients own stem cells or blood platelets to help heal damaged tissues, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, spinal disc, or bone. Regenexx Stem Cell and Blood Platelet Procedures offer a viable alternative for individuals suffering from joint pain, or who may be considering elective surgery or joint replacement due to injury or arthritis. Patients avoid the lengthy periods of downtime, and painful rehabilitation that typically follow invasive surgeries. Commonly Treated Conditions - Regenexx Stem Cell and Platelet Procedures

The list below represents the most commonly treated conditions using Regenexx stem cell or platelet procedures. It is not a complete list, so please contact us or complete the Regenexx Candidate Form if you have questions about whether you or your condition can be treated with these non-surgical procedures. The type of procedure used (stem cell or blood platelet) to treat these conditions is largely dependent upon the severity of the injury or condition.

The Centeno-Schultz Clinic is theoriginalstem cell based musculoskeletal practice in the U.S., with more stem cell orthopedics experience than any other clinic. We are also physician leaders in stem cell treatments for arthritis and injuries in terms of research presentations, publications, and academic achievements.

In January I was faced with another full thickness tear in my rotator cuff and wondered what my options might be. Would it be another surgery or possibly something different? I was introduced to Dr Andrew Blecher who thought I might be a candidate for the new Regenexx stem cell procedure. This new procedure has changed my life, given me a new shoulder and all without invasive shoulder surgery. I cannot explain how happy I am that I chose this method for my shoulder and now I feel great, have significantly less pain and 100% range of motion. Thank you Dr Blecher and Regenexx.

-Lloyd Eisler 2-Time Olympic Medalist Member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

The episode features Dr. Centeno and Dr. Hanson, along with patient Barbee James, who required stem cell treatment after a failed micro fracture and continued problems following traditional knee surgery. The episode provided a nice overview of a Regenexx-SD (same-day) stem cell procedure for Barbees knee cartilage damage.

On February 28, 2013 Seattle King TV featured Regenexx patient Paul Lyon, who underwent a Regenexx-SD knee procedure in our Broomfield clinic. The story looks at his results and includes an interview with Dr. Christopher Centeno, along with footage in our advanced lab where stem cells are processed as part of the procedure.

Regenexx Network Physician Dr. Mayo Friedlis (Washington D.C. area) is featured in this recent news story about stem cell therapy, which explores the Regenexx-SD stem cell procedure and a very active seniors outcome following his knee stem cell injection.

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Regenexx - Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis and Injuries ...

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Definitions of Somatic Cell Therapy and Gene Therapy

Recently, various innovative therapies involving the ex vivo manipulation and subsequent reintroduction of somatic cells into humans have been used or proposed. Somatic cell therapy is the administration to humans of autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic living cells which have been manipulated or processed ex vivo. Manufacture of products for somatic cell therapy involves the ex vivo propagation, expansion, selection (see: "A Proposed Approach to the Regulation of Cellular and Tissue-based Products", Feb. 28, 1997, (62 FR 9721)), or pharmacologic treatment of cells, or other alteration of their biological characteristics. Such cellular products might also be used for diagnostic or preventive purposes. Manufacturers should review policy and regulations to determine how a particular somatic cell therapy or gene therapy product is regulated.

Recently, various innovative therapies involving the introduction of somatic cells into humans have been used or proposed. For the purpose of this Guidance, the term somatic cell therapy refers to the administration to humans of autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic living non-germline cells, other than transfusable blood products, for therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventive purposes.

Gene therapy is a medical intervention based on modification of the genetic material of living cells. Cells may be modified ex vivo for subsequent administration to humans, or may be altered in vivo by gene therapy given directly to the subject. When the genetic manipulation is performed ex vivo on cells which are then administered to the patient, this is also a form of somatic cell therapy. The genetic manipulation may be intended to have a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, or may provide a way of marking cells for later identification. Recombinant DNA materials used to transfer genetic material for such therapy are considered components of gene therapy and as such are subject to regulatory oversight.

This document does not discuss genetic manipulation aimed at the modification of germ cells.

Examples of somatic cell therapies include implantation of cells as an in vivo source of a molecular species such as an enzyme, cytokine or coagulation factor; infusion of activated lymphoid cells such as lymphokine activated killer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (addressed in a separate Points to Consider document: see below); and implantation of manipulated cell populations, such as hepatocytes, myoblasts, or pancreatic islet cells, intended to perform a complex biological function.

Initial approaches to gene therapy have involved the alteration and administration of somatic cells. However, additional approaches such as the direct administration to patients of retroviral vectors or other forms of genetic material have been used. The concerns described below apply regardless of the method used, though the applicable tests may be different.

Cells for therapeutic purposes may be delivered in various ways. For example, they may be infused, injected at various sites or surgically implanted in aggregated form or along with solid supports or encapsulating materials. Any matrices, fibers, beads, or other materials which are used in addition to the cells may be categorized as excipients, additional active components, or medical devices.

Because of the complexities of potential interactions with the cells and other constituents, additional components should be considered as part of the final biological product for purposes of preclinical evaluation.

Regulatory Considerations

Continued here:
Guidance for Human Somatic Cell Therapy and Gene Therapy - FDA

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Q: You recently wrote about stem cell research, and I understand that stem cell therapy is being used to treat inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Do you have more details?

A: The Winn Feline Foundation has funded the research of Dr. Craig Webb and Dr. Tracy Webb of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine to study the use of stem cells to treat inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Early results are promising.

Stem cell research in cats doesn't stop there. Dr. Glenn Olah, president of the Winn Feline Foundation, notes that Winn also funded stem cell studies to treat feline asthma and kidney disease. Results are hopeful, but it's simply too early to offer definitive answers.

"In some ways, stem cell studies in pets are ahead of (those in) people."

Q: About a month ago, I adopted a beautiful Burmese after she romanced me at the shelter. Once we got home, she wanted nothing to do with me. It's not that she isn't friendly. She loves my son and even sleeps with him. When I get up early to feed her, she stays away until I've left the room. My son suggested that the cat harbors resentment toward me because I took her from her cat friends. What can do to improve the situation?

A: "The good news is that it's very unlikely the cat harbors any resentment," said Winn Feline board member and feline veterinarian Dr. Drew Weigner, of Atlanta. "The bad news for you -- but good news for the cat and your son -- is that they developed a fast friendship.

Here are tips that might help the cat warm up to you:

Sit on the floor in an empty room with her. Close the door, but provide an empty box or two for the cat to hop into. Then, simply watch TV, or read a children's story out loud. Cats sometimes like that soft sing-song voice we tend to use when reading children's stories.

Wait until the cat comes to you. It may take several days, but eventually curiosity will out.

Next, take over feeding the cat, even if she waits for you to leave the room to eat.

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My Pet World: Stem cell treatments show promise for some feline health issues

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The latest research into HIV/AIDS is coming up with some exciting new treatments which can dramatically improve and prolong the life of someone infected with the virus.

Unfortunately the elusive cure is still a long way off though its not for want of trying. Numerous studies are underway looking at gene therapy and an HIV vaccine, all of which offers hope for the future.

One of the most interesting developments comes from the National Institute of Medical Research where scientists have discovered that a gene found in rhesus monkeys can prevent HIV. The same gene in humans cant block the virus but it appears that only one change is needed to enable it to do so. If this proves to be the case it would be a remarkable breakthrough in the search for a cure.

Its a brave new world but its complicated stuff and a cure certainly isnt just around the corner. In a nutshell, this pioneering gene therapy would involve removing all the white blood cells from a patient, cloning them and altering the genetics before introducing them back into the body. Existing technology cant actually do this so its something for the longer term. But its still a viable possibility and thanks to antiretroviral drugs keeping people alive longer, this treatment may be available in future to people currently living with the virus.

Other gene therapy studies involve inserting modified genes directly into cells to prevent the virus from reproducing itself. These cells produce the CD4 cells which can resist the HIV infection.

The hunt for an HIV vaccine has come a long way. Dozens of experimental vaccines have been tested so far. They are either preventative (designed to stop someone from getting the virus in the first place) or therapeutic with the aim of aiding an infected person to recover from the virus.

Once again these possible solutions to the HIV crisis are a very long way off despite nearly 15 years of research. People respond in different ways to the infection, HIV is still not fully understood and its a very changeable virus so different preventative vaccines may be needed.

Studies are underway into microbibe which is a form of lubricant capable of reducing the transmission of HIV when applied in the vagina or anus. Around 60 different products are being tested and 12 of these have been found to be safe and effective in animals. Microbibe is now being tested on humans and if successful could be available as early as 2007.

But the majority of current research is focusing on the development of antiretrovirals and improving their effectiveness.

These new drugs include:

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Latest AIDS Research, Vaccine, Gene Therapy, New Drugs

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There are numerous uses for biotechnology, and the implementation of biotech solutions is becoming increasingly popular as more advances occur within the field. No-one quite knows where the technology may lead, and could possibly one day be found to be implemented in the production of products as diverse as puppy food to the creation of more sustainable buildings.

As mentioned elsewhere on this site, one of the most exciting developments for biotech has been in the domain of medical science: our increasing knowledge of the molecular processes in cells has multiple implications for the treatments of disease and illness.

A relatively new method of treatment made possible through the use of natural processes as a technology/tool is gene therapy. Although still in its infancy (and in many ways its experimental stage) gene therapy might well prove a miracle cure for a vast range of diseases in the future.

Gene therapy is earmarked as a highly plausible future means of treatment, or even cure, of a variety of genetic and acquired diseases. Notably, this list includes cancer and AIDS. In gene therapy, normal genes are inserted into pathological cells to either replace or bolster the cells normal functioning. The cells that gene therapy methods can target are somatic cells and gamete cells. The difference in effect between the two cell types is basically that the modification made to the genetic code of the somatic cell is not passed on to its daughter cell when it divides, but in the gamete cell the modification is passed on in cell division. The intervention in sperm and egg cells (gametes) is therefore for the purposes of generational change. Theoretically, one well designed intervention could remove a genetic defect from a family tree for all future generations: the gene therapy would therefore only have to be applied to one generation of gamete cells.

Gene therapy can be enacted either while cells are in the patients body or the cells can be removed and the process implemented within a laboratory: the former is known as In Vivo treatment and the latter as Ex Vivo treatment.

Unfortunately, gene therapy has many challenges to overcome before it can be used on a widespread and large scale. Four central issues have been identified as follows:

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Gene Therapy Biotechnology - Life Lab

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Gene Simmons thinks women are too dependent on men, but research suggests otherwise.

The reality television star and Kiss bassist told FoxNews.com, Women: Stop depending on men. Its as simple as that. Imagine there are no men in life. Go out there and make as much money as you can, get two jobs, get three jobs, do whatever it is, find out that thing that youre good for that makes the money and then get married and/or have children from a position of strength.

He added, Men must work for a living. Women have the option of becoming the housewife. (He also said men will inevitably run off on their wives: The statistics tell us predominantly they will run out on you.)

Those are strong words of advice from a man who married a woman after more than 20 years. But the stereotype of a woman waiting to snag a man so she can sit back and then be supported doesnt bear out.

For a start, women are less likely to depend on their parents for money, according to a 2014 survey of 2,046 U.S. adults carried out by research firm Harris Poll and commissioned by financial technology company Yodlee Interactive. In fact, only 31% of women with living parents or in-laws receive financial support from them, compared to 41% of men. Women are also less likely than men (25% vs. 32%) to live with their parents or in-laws. Men aged 35 to 44 are almost twice as likely to cite being unemployed or underemployed as the reason they live with their parents, while women are twice as likely to cite because theyre taking care of their parents.

A man is not a plan, says Michelle Patterson, chief executive of Women Network, an online community forum for women, who adds that women are increasingly financially independent. With the divorce rate as high as it is, women living longer and the primary care giver for their aging parents, women are having to step into a financial leadership role more often than not.

Patterson also says that ignoring the possibilities of a rainy day because you think that would never happen to me is living a fairy tale every day. In fact, men carry 4.3% more debt than women, according to a 2013 study by Experian Marketing Services. Women working full-time in the U.S. earn approximately 23% less income than men, but they are taking steps to manage their finances better than men, the study concluded. Men had a higher incidence of late mortgage payments than women (5.7% versus 5.3%) and higher average debt ($26,227 versus $25,095).

More women with children are also working. While the number of stay-at-home moms rose to 29% of mothers in 2012, up from a modern-era low of 23% in 1999, this figure is still down from 49% over four decades ago, according to an analysis of government data by the Pew Research Center, which represents a major reversal on the long-term decline in the number of stay-at-home moms. (The category includes mothers who choose to stay at home to care for their families, but also those who are at home because they are unable to find work, are disabled or are enrolled in school.) Some theories for the fluctuation: more women are going to college since the 1970s, but childcare costs have spiked in recent years.

Forget the "winter blues:" A significant minority of people actually cheer up and gain energy as the days get shorter.

Men have long been the dominant participants in the paid labor force, but a significant number of women have also joined them during the past 40 years, according to a separate 2014 study by The Pew Charitable Trusts. In the early 1970s, 43% of all women were wage earners. Today, nearly 60% of women are working in paid employment. Much of this growth can be attributed to working mothers, who increased their numbers in the workforce by 50% over the past generation, the report found.

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Why Gene Simmons is wrong about women and financial dependence

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(HealthDay News) -- Infants with a specific skin gene mutation who are exposed to peanut protein in household dust may be more likely to develop a peanut allergy, according to a new study.

Peanut allergy and other food allergies have been linked to severe eczema, a skin disorder, in early infancy, the U.K. researchers said.

In conducting the study, researchers at King's College London and colleagues examined the amount of peanut protein to which 577 babies were exposed during their first year of life. This was done by measuring the amount of peanut protein in the dust collected by vacuum from the living room sofa in their home. The children were tested for peanut allergy years later when they were 8 and 11 years old. Their DNA was also checked for a specific skin barrier defect, known as an FLG mutation.

Previous studies identified a specific gene that codes for the skin barrier protein, filaggrin. Mutations to this gene, known as the FLG gene, lead to a skin barrier impairment, which is thought to make the body more vulnerable to an allergic reaction.

The study, published this month in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that one in five children with peanut allergy had an FLG mutation.

The researchers found that a threefold increase in exposure to peanut protein in dust in the first 12 months of life was associated with a threefold increase in risk for a later peanut allergy. They said, however, exposure to peanut protein in household dust had no effect on children who did not have a skin barrier defect from an FLG mutation.

"Our findings provide evidence that peanut allergy may develop via the skin in children with mutations in the gene that codes for filaggrin which damage the function of this important skin protein," said the study's first author, Dr. Helen Brough, from the department of pediatric allergy at King's College London. "These findings are also an example of how an individual's response to their environment can be modified by their genes," Brough said in a university news release.

"Our study raises the possibility of being able to identify a group of children with FLG mutations through genetic testing in the future, and altering their environmental exposure to peanut early in life to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy," she added.

The study offers further evidence for the dual-allergen-exposure theory, said the study's senior author, Gideon Lack, also from the King's College London pediatric allergy department. This theory "suggests food allergies develop through exposure to allergens via the skin, likely through a disrupted skin barrier, [and that] consumption of these food proteins early in life builds up tolerance in the body," he said in the news release.

"Previous guidelines recommending that mothers should avoid peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding have now been withdrawn. Ongoing studies at King's aim to find if exposure to solids in early infancy might actually help to prevent allergies," Lack said. "It may be that the timing and balance of skin and oral exposure to a particular food early in life determines whether a child develops an allergy or tolerance to that food."

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Childhood peanut allergy may be linked to skin gene mutation

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27-Oct-2014

Contact: Eileen Scahill Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu 614-293-3737 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio The drug erlotinib is highly effective in treating advanced-stage lung cancer patients whose tumors have a particular gene change, but when the same drug is used for patients with early-stage tumors with the same gene change, they actually fare worse than if they took nothing. A study by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC James) and at Cincinnati Children's Hospital might show why.

Oncologists use erlotinib to treat lung cancers that have a mutation in a gene called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The gene mutation causes EGFR to run like it has a stuck accelerator, and erlotinib blocks the overactive molecule. The study shows that while erlotinib effectively causes tumors to shrink suggesting that the drug is helping this drug also increases the aggressiveness of the tumor so that growth is accelerated when therapy ends. This study finds that this is due to a secondary and previously unknown effect of inhibiting EGFR.

The researchers found that when erlotinib blocks EGFR, it activates a second signaling molecule called Notch3. Activation of that pathway leads to increased development of cancer stem cells among the surviving tumor cells and to accelerated tumor growth.

"Our findings might explain why erlotinib in clinical trials seems to worsen survival in patients with early-stage lung cancer," says co-corresponding author David Carbone, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, division of medical oncology at the OSUCCC James. "They also suggest that combining an EGFR inhibitor with a Notch inhibitor should overcome the effect."

The study was published recently in the journal Cancer Research.

Carbone, co-corresponding author Stacey Huppert, of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and their colleagues conducted the study using several cell lines of non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer, to learn if inhibiting EGFR enhances the activity of the Notch signaling pathway. "We found that the activated, mutated EGFR directly inhibits Notch signaling, and that inhibiting EGFR with erlotinib removes this restraint and activates Notch signaling," says Carbone, who is the Barbara J. Bonner Chair in Lung Cancer Research. "It suggests that specific dual targeting might overcome this adverse effect."

The study's key technical findings include:

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Study may explain why targeted drug doesn't benefit patients with early-stage lung cancer

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28-Oct-2014

Contact: Julie Chevrette julie.chevrette@icm-mhi.org 514-376-3330 x2641 Montreal Heart Institute

Montreal, October 28, 2014 The Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre is once again pushing the limits of knowledge in personalized medicine. A meta-analysis combining the results of several pharmacogenomic studies and involving over 40,000 research subjects now makes it possible to demonstrate a different response to statins according to the patient's gene profile. This important contribution of two Montreal researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre and Dr. Marie-Pierre Dub, Director of the Pharmacogenomics Centre, was the subject of a scientific publication released today in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.

"Once again, the Montreal Heart Institute and its team of committed doctors, researchers and professionals stand out as world leaders in the fight against cardiovascular diseases. This research project benefitted from our participation in this international consortium, leveraged by our knowledge and our pharmacogenomic laboratory dedicated to the search for innovative treatments in the fight against heart disease. Today, these advances make it possible to identify a different response to a statin commonly used to reduce LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol), according to the individual's gene profile. And for the first time, two genomic regions (loci) have been identified as determining locations for responses to a statin," said Dr. Tardif.

Patients will benefit considerably in the medium and long term from these findings and innovations as the medical practices used to treat heart disease are transformed to allow each patient to receive suitable treatment. This is another of the MHI researchers' tangible contributions to the transformation of medical practices in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Keep in mind that more than 1.3 million Canadians suffer from cardiovascular diseases, which are the world's primary cause of hospitalization and death. These diseases also put the greatest burden on our health system, with health costs nearing $22 billion per year.

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About the Montreal Heart Institute

Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute fosters the highest standards of excellence in cardiology through its leadership in clinical and fundamental research, ultra-specialized care, professional training, and prevention. It is part of the vast network of excellence in health established by Universit de Montral and its affiliates.

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The effect of statins influenced by gene profiles

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Difficulty in conceiving a child is a major challenge for one in seven heterosexual couples in America, especially for those over the age of 35. Now a new discovery by researchers at Tel Aviv University and Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer could boost the chances of conception in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

Their new research reveals a linkage between the genes of the innate immune system -- immunity with which human beings are born, rather than immunity they acquire during their lives -- and ovarian longevity. The study, published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, constituted the doctoral work of Dr. Shiri Uri-Belapolsky of TAU's Sackler School of Medicine. The research was led by Prof. Ruth Shalgi, of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at TAU's Sackler School of Medicine, Dr. Yehuda Kamari and Prof. Dror Harats of TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center, and Dr. Aviv Shaish of Sheba Medical Center.

According to research conducted on laboratory mice, the genetic deletion of the protein Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a key player in the innate immune system, could improve the number of eggs available for fertilization as well as improve the ovarian response to hormonal stimulation involved in IVF procedures. This could prove especially effective in women who initially respond poorly to hormonal treatment.

Neutralizing the risks

"We revealed a clear linkage between the genes of the innate immune system and female reproduction," said Dr. Uri-Belapolsky. "The results of our study, which point to neutralizing the effects of the IL-1 protein to slow down the natural processes that destroy the eggs, may set the basis for the development of new treatments, such as an IL-1 blockade that would raise the number of eggs recovered during an IVF cycle and reduce the amount of hormones injected into women undergoing the treatment."

The connection between IL-1 and fertility was discovered by accident in the course of research performed by the scientists on the role of IL-1 in atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. In a surprise result of the research, the fertility lifespan of IL-1-deficient mice was found to be 20% longer than that of control wild-type mice.

Keeping the clock ticking

Female mammals, including humans, are born with a finite number of eggs and are subject to a biological clock that dictates the end of the reproductive lifespan at around 50 years of age. Over the past decade, a trend of postponing childbearing into advanced age has led to a corresponding upward trend in the number of IVF treatments. Inflammation has been reported to affect both IVF outcomes and the ovarian reserve adversely. "Identifying a possible culprit, such as Interleukin-1, may offer new insight into the mechanisms responsible for egg loss as well as practical interventions," the study reports.

"Our revelation is secured with a patent application, and naturally, further study in mice and in humans is required to examine this therapeutic opportunity," said Prof. Shalgi. "I believe we will take this research forward into human clinical trials. However, there is still research to be done before we can start these trials."

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Slowing the biological clock: neutralizing immune system gene could improve success of fertility treatments

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On GMO Labeling, Oregon and Colorado Learn from California Ballot Defeat
After initiatives to label genetically engineered foods failed to pass in California and Washington state, activists have changed their strategy as they prepare for votes in Oregon and Colorado...

By: QUEST Science

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On GMO Labeling, Oregon and Colorado Learn from California Ballot Defeat - Video

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