Following research released this week, Smart Cells International is urging prospective parents to act now, as the case for stem cell collection continues to gather pace.

Smart Cells International has extended its support for ongoing stem cell research, following findings just announced. A group of scientists have just found that mononuclear blood cells taken from an umbilical cord could provide an effective alternative to bone marrow in hepatic diseases.

The scientists, from the University of Granada in Spain and the University of Leon in France found a marked improvement in hepatic function in rats, when they were treated with a cell transplant. Potentially, this treatment could replace liver transplants, which are limited due to a lack of donors. Full research findings will soon be released, showing that umbilical cord blood cells aid hepatic regenerative medicine through an ability to nest in the liver.

Smart Cells’ Scientific Director and respected industry expert, Peter Hollands, comments: “There is evidence that cord blood stem cells can differentiate towards liver cell morphology in vitro but this in vivo observation is important. It's the kind of thing which screams out for a clinical trial.”

Smart Cells’ Founder and Chief Executive, Shamshad Ahmed adds:
“As more and more research is conducted, the argument to store umbilical cord blood stem cells is strengthened. Comparatively we are lagging behind in the UK and we are desperate for prospective parents to realise the importance of acting now to safeguard their children’s futures. ”

Further information and interviews are available on request.

Ends          8 July 2008

Notes to Editors

About Smart Cells

Founded in 2001, Smart Cells International is one of the world's leading stem cell storage companies and is the longest established in the UK. Smart Cells has safely collected and stored umbilical cord stem cells for thousands of parents, all over the world, helping to ensure their children's future health.

Smart Cells exceeds all current UK and EU directives and regulations and its partner laboratory is ISO9001:2000 accredited. The Smart Cells Laboratory is also regulated by the HTA (The Human Tissue Authority) and is also unique in being a fully unconditionally licensed tissue bank; the largest in the UK.

Once the umbilical cord stem cells have been separated from the blood, they are hermetically sealed in a sterile pouch, which is placed in an aluminium cassette. The samples are stored in vaults at temperatures of below -180°C, halting the aging process and allowing the long-term preservation and storage.

About Stem Cells

Stem cells are the unspecific early cells that can grow into specific cells that make up our tissues, bodies and vital organs. Compared to other types of adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood stem cells are more flexible and proliferate better because they are pure and naïve.

Stem cell therapy is already used to treat many diseases including Leukaemia, whereby the cells are used to help regenerate a patient's immune system following a course of chemotherapy. Umbilical cord blood stem cells have also been successfully used to treat more than 70 other life diseases and disorders.

Umbilical cord stem cell storage begins with umbilical core blood being taken from the umbilical cord after it has been detached from the newborn baby. Smart cells then separate the blood and harvest the stem cells, storing them safely for 25 years with the option to continue after this period.