Clinical trial of human embryonic stem cell therapy in US

Geron Initiates Clinical Trial of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy — First Patient Treated at Shepherd Center in Atlanta – Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) announced the enrollment of the first patient in the company’s clinical trial of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, GRNOPC1.

Stem cells shape up to their surroundings

Stem cells shape up to their surroundings – Many scientists aspire to take control over the stem cell differentiation process, so that we can grow organs and implants perfectly matched to each patient in the future.

US to continue stem cell research

US can continue stem cell research – An appeals court in US allowed the government to resume funding human embryonic stem cell research while the court reviews whether it violates a ban by Congress on spending taxpayer money for experiments.

US cancer group AACR supports NIH stem cell research

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) supports NIH stem cell research – The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world’s oldest and largest cancer research organization, reiterates its support for the responsible conduct of human embryonic stem cell research that, up until this week, was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and expresses concern that the recent Federal District Court injunction to block federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research is a setback for scientific discovery.

Unproven stem cell therapies marketed on Internet

Stanford stem cell scientist leads effort to prevent fraudulent treatment – Leading stem cell researchers from institutions around the world are issuing warnings about unproven stem cell therapies being marketed on the Internet and have launched a website to educate and protect patients seeking such treatments.

Early clamping may interrupt humankind’s first natural stem cell transplant

Do we clamp the umbilical cord too soon? — USF researchers: Early clamping may interrupt humankind’s first ‘natural stem cell transplant’ – The timing of umbilical cord clamping at birth should be delayed just a few minutes longer, suggest researchers at the University of South Florida’s Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair.

Ear’s sensory hair cells made from stem cells

Aiming to cure deafness, Stanford scientists first to create functional inner-ear cells – Researchers have found a way to coax embryonic stem cells as well as reprogrammed adult cells to develop into sensory cells that normally reside in the mammalian inner ear. Those mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of hearing and balance.

New tool illuminates connections between stem cells and cancer

New tool illuminates connections between stem cells and cancer — 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science – Researchers have a new tool to understand how cancers grow — and with it a new opportunity to identify novel cancer drugs. They’ve been able to break apart human prostate tissue, extract the stem cells in that tissue, and alter those cells genetically so that they spur cancer.

Vitamin C boosts reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells

Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells – Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process.

Embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity

University of Michigan (U-M) study reveals lack of diversity in embryonic stem cell lines – The most widely used human embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity, a finding that raises social justice questions that must be addressed to ensure that all sectors of society benefit from stem cell advances, according to a University of Michigan research team.

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