News

Cord Blood Breakthrough, view the video here.

Submitted on Thu, 01/12/2011 - 10:30

Treatment gives new hope to thousands of new born babies

Hal Broxmeyer talks about cord blood stem cells

Submitted on Wed, 26/10/2011 - 09:39

Hal E. Broxmeyer, founder of the world's first cord blood bank, gave a talk at a breakfast seminar recently on the current state of the art in cord blood banking and cord blood stem cell transplants. To date, more than 25,000 cord blood transplants have been performed for a wide range of disorders.

Adult stem cells from cord blood help repair damaged heart muscle

Submitted on Fri, 14/10/2011 - 10:19

Researchers at the University of Bristol have found heart muscle-like cells, grown from umbilical cord blood cells, can help repair muscle damaged by a heart attack.

The researchers have found heart muscle-like cells grown using stem cells from umbilical cord blood could help repair heart muscle cells damaged by a heart attack.

The study found that it is possible to expand up to seven-fold, in vitro, rare stem cells (called CD133+) from umbilical cord blood and then grow them into cardiac muscle cells.

Stem cells as a therapeutic tool for the blind: biology and future prospects

Submitted on Tue, 13/09/2011 - 08:24

The Royal Society of Biology has recently published a paper giving details of a trial in which it was shown that subretinal stimulation may restore some visual function in blind patients. Retinal degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the developed world. The trial proves that residual retinal circuits can be reawakened after photoreceptor loss and defines a goal for stem-cell-based therapy to replace photoreceptors.

New Study Finds Cord Blood-derived Stem Cell Treatments Improve Ataxia Patients' Functionality and Quality of Life

Submitted on Wed, 07/09/2011 - 09:50

Hereditary Ataxia is a neurodegenerative disorder. Symptoms of the condition include a variety of functional impairments relating to speech, walking, swallowing, and other physical activities and there is no cure for this condition.

UK stem cell stroke trial passes first safety test

Submitted on Thu, 01/09/2011 - 14:55

The world's first clinical trial of brain stem cells to treat strokes is set to move to its next phase.

Yorkshire charity funds 'ground-breaking' cancer study

Submitted on Tue, 16/08/2011 - 08:29

A cancer charity has given £2.15m to the University of York to fund prostate cancer stem cell research.

Scientists at the university will explore the molecular properties that allow the cells to survive, spread and resist treatment.

They aim to make a new generation of cancer drugs to target the cells and tackle the cause of the disease.

Doctors begin major stem cell trial for MS patients

Submitted on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 09:42

A major clinical trial will investigate whether stem cells can be safely used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

It is hoped eventually to slow, stop or even reverse the damage MS causes to the brain and spinal cord.

The trial, involving up to 150 patients across Europe, is due to start later this year. Dr Paolo Muraro from Imperial College London said: "There is very strong pre-clinical evidence that stem cells might be an effective treatment."

Virgin Health Bank promises fail to live up to expectations

Submitted on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 08:58

In 2007 Sir Richard Branson launched Virgin Health Bank, a company that lets families bank and store stem cells from their child’s umbilical cord, and is based out of Qatar.

Scientists find 'better way' to grow adult stem cells

Submitted on Mon, 18/07/2011 - 10:36

A new plastic surface which overcomes the difficulties associated with growing adult stem cells has been developed, according to scientists.

It is hoped the discovery could lead to the creation of stem cell therapies for re-growing bone and tissue, and also for conditions such as arthritis.

Currently, when adult stem cells are harvested from a patient, they are then cultured in a laboratory to increase the quantities of cells and create a batch of sufficient volume to kick-start the process of cellular regeneration.