Posts Tagged ‘human stem cell research’

Helping You Research Stem Cells Online

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

stem cell research funding

There are many reasons why you may be interested in research stem cells. Perhaps you’re majoring in biology or another medical science in college and you’re considering getting into the brave new field of stem cell therapies. Or maybe you’re a patient suffering from heart disease, diabetes, damaged tissue, a spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer or stroke, and you’re looking for an alternate treatment. Treatment using stemcells is still a long way off, although human clinical trials are expected to begin this summer and the possibilities are promising.

One place to do some research on stem cells is the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Despite former President Bush’s ban on federal stem cell research funding, the rogue Californians approved a 2004 ballot initiative (Proposition 71) that set aside state funds for just that purpose. As a result, $3 billion was appropriated to California research facilities, making the state an epicenter of stem cell news. On their site, you might like to read their comprehensive annual report, which reads much more like a magazine than a lofty scientific publication. You can read about awards, stem cell therapy treatments, studies and stem cell research facilities at www.cirm.ca.gov/pub/pdf/annual_rpt_08.pdf.

Science Daily is an all-around great medical news site, where you can also research stem cells. Some recent headlines include: “Stem Cells Jumpstart Bone’s Healing Process,” “Stem Cell Therapy Makes Cloudy Corneas Clear,” “Biologists Discover A Protein Link To Wound Healing,” “Stroke Victim’s Own Stem Cells Used In Trial For First Time” and “New Clues To How Stem Cells Form.” In addition to catching up on the latest stem cell news, you’ll also be able to read articles, watch videos, look at images and find books on the subject. Visit www.sciencedaily.com/health_medicine/stem_cells/ to access this content.

With the new allocation of federal stem cell research funding, a number of facilities across the country will be receiving money to research stem cell therapies. For instance, the University of Buffalo will receive $4.9 million for human stem cell research. The University of California at Irvine will receive $27.2 million to build a new stem cell research facility and the University of San Diego will get $2.8 million to improve their current facilities. It may take another 10 years to produce a widely recommended cure, but research has been promising.

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An Overview Of The Pros And Cons Of Adult Stem Cells

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

stemcells

There’s good news and bad news about adult stem cells. The good news is that human trials are officially here for adult stem cell research. As of April 1, 2009, the first stroke patient was treated with his own stem cells. The bad news is that even if his treatment proves to be successful, researchers will still be prompted to run Phase II trials and Phase III trials to determine long-term safety. It could be another 10 years before stem cell therapies are FDA-approved for the masses. Even so, the portent for this relatively new field of medicine is rather exciting.

There are some advantages to using adult stem cells over embryo-derived stem cells. For one, adult cells are easier to harvest, as they can come from skin, muscle, bone marrow and fat. Often those treated with their own stem cells will not suffer immune system rejection. It’s also easier to encourage these already specialized cells to differentiate the way the scientists want them to, which is impressive considering they’re still not 100% sure what causes a cell to become a certain organ or tissue. Lastly, donated adult stemcells clear up the stem cell controversy surrounding the destruction of human embryos in the name of science.

Mice are not people. We know this. Even so, it’s hard not be excited that the first mouse has successfully regrown muscles and regenerated damaged tissue thanks to adult stem cells. Researchers from the University of New South Wales say the mice were given a gene making them resistant to chemotherapy, which clears out damaged cells and encourages new stem cells to take hold. “What has been the realm of science fiction is looking more and more like the medicine of the future,” said Peter Gunning, one of the study’s co-authors.

What moral grounds are scientists subject to adhere to? This is one of the controversies surrounding adult stem cells. Once techniques for creating a new stem cell are in place, who’s to say the scientist won’t fall naturally into therapeutic cloning or even human cloning? If a human can regrow a limb like a salamander, will there be some so curious as to create a human-animal hybrid? Is there a danger in manipulating germs, diseases and mutagens in Petri dishes that could lead to more resistant strains? Will researchers exercise enough patience to ensure the long-term safety of their products containing human stem cells? Can our earth sustain a population that can live even longer and regenerate? To what extent are we playing God?

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