Research and Development: May 2007 Archives

The aim of the NordForsk-financed Nordic Stem Cell Mobility Programme is to promote Nordic collaboration and coordination of future stem cell research through a mobility programme for post-doctoral researchers.

<a href="http://www.nordforsk.org/meny.cfm?m=142,349">NORDIC STEM CELL MOBILITY PROGRAMME 2007-2010</a> (nordforsk.org)

Stem Cell Net Foundation (SCNF) announced that as a result of the board meeting held today, Mr. Anthony Salas, President of Celebrities for Stem Cell Research was elected a member of the board advisory committee. Regarding this election, Mr. Salas stated: “I am very excited to be given the opportunity to uphold the celebrities’ interest and speak from the patient prospective in the related issues of stem cell research and therapy development. The SCNF offers a unique window of opportunity to those involved or in support of the Stem Cells marketplace.” Mr. Salas also noted that SCNF mission and safe practice statements related to stem cell therapy are common sense among doctors and serve as good educational material for the public at large.

<a href="http://www.ustnt.com/01/index.php?l=nws&a=nws_ask&id=97">Stem Cell Net Foundation acquires more leadership</a> (ustnt.com)

UC Irvine neurobiologist Hans Keirstead and his research team today launched a project to develop stem cell lines that genetically match human patients. These lines would allow scientists to better study conditions ranging from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease, and they would provide the basis for potential patient-specific stem cell treatments.

<a href="http://www.huliq.com/21633/developing-patient-specific-stem-cell-lines">Developing patient-specific stem cell lines</a> (huliq.com)

Irvine, CA - UC Irvine neurobiologist Hans Keirstead and his research team today launched a project to develop stem cell lines that genetically match human patients. These lines would allow scientists to better study conditions ranging from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease, and they would provide the basis for potential patient-specific stem cell treatments.

<a href="http://www.bioresearchonline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID=%7B72372125-4181-4331-A94F-F9806C3C46BC%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines">UCI Launches Effort To Develop Patient-Specific Stem Cell Lines</a> (bioresearchonline.com)

Governor Jim Doyle today (May 14) gave a $1 million boost to a University of Wisconsin-Madison spin-off company during a visit to the campus lab that gave birth to its technology.

<a href="http://www.news.wisc.edu/13793">State seeds stem-cell company based on UW-Madison research</a> (www.news.wisc.edu)

Specific stem cells are thought to be the origin of many, if not all, cancers and although there are several drugs in clinical trials, only small companies are curently conducting research in the area.

<a href="http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/ng.asp?n=76503-genentech-immunocellular-therapeutics-stemline-therapeutics-geron-cancer-stem-cells">Cancer stem cells therapies in clinical trials</a> (drugresearcher.com)

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (OTCBB:BMSN), a biotechnology company focused on stem cell cryogenics and disposable stem cell/tissue transfer instruments, announced today it has entered into a contract with Validation Systems, Inc. to complete and finalize its FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) Quality Systems documentation. Once this documentation is finalized and the Company receives clearance from the State of California, stem cell specimens can be cryogenically stored. Bio-Matrix intends to open in the months ahead what it believes to be the first commercial adult stem cell processing and banking facility in the world for harvesting stem cells from adipose or fat tissue, which is a new dimension in stem cell banking.

<a href="http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070514005705&newsLang=en">Bio-Matrix Scientific Enters into Contract with Validation Systems to Finalize FDA cGMP Quality Systems for First Adult Stem Cell Bank Focused on Fat Tissue </a> (businesswire.com)

 Just in time for the Presidential election, Geron CEO Tom Okarma hopes to begin clinical trials for acute spinal cord injury in early 2008. If true, the timing couldn't be worse for embryonic stem cell proponents.

<a href="http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/05/geron_anticipat.html">Geron Anticipates Embryonic Stem Cell Trials in 2008</a> (blog.wired.com)