StemCell Therapy

In this article we will discuss about Nano Medicine:- 1. Meaning of Nano Medicine 2. Advantages of Nano Medicine 3. Disadvantages.

The application of nanotechnology in medicine is often referred to as Nano medicine. Nano medicine is the preservation and improvement of human health using molecular tools and molecular knowledge of the human body. It covers areas such as nanoparticle drug delivery and possible future applications of molecular nanotechnology (MNT) and Nano-vaccinology.

The human body is comprised of molecules. Hence, the availability of molecular nanotechnology will permit dramatic progress in human medical services. More than just an extension of molecular medicine, Nano medicine will help us understand how the biological machinery inside living cells operates at the Nano scale so that it can be employed in molecular machine systems to address complicated medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS, ageing and thereby bring about significant improvement and extension of natural human biological structure and function at the molecular scale.

Nano medical approaches to drug delivery centre on developing Nano scale particles or molecules to improve drug bioavailability that refers to the presence of drug molecules in the body part where they are actually needed and will probably do the most good. It is all about targeting the molecules and delivering drugs with cell precision.

The use of Nano robots in medicine would totally change the world of medicine once it is realized. For instance, by introducing these Nano robots into the body damages and infections can be detected and repaired. In short it holds that capability to change the traditional approach of treating diseases and naturally occurring conditions in the human beings.

1. Advanced therapies with reduced degree of invasiveness.

2. Reduced negative effects of drugs and surgical procedures.

3. Faster, smaller and highly sensitive diagnostic tools.

4. Cost effectiveness of medicines and disease management procedures as a whole.

5. Unsolved medical problems such as cancer, benefiting from the Nano medical approach.

6. Reduced mortality and morbidity rates and increased longevity in return.

1. Lack of proper knowledge about the effect of nanoparticles on biochemical pathways and processes of human body.

2. Scientists are primarily concerned about the toxicity, characterization and exposure pathways associated with Nano medicine that might pose a serious threat to the human beings and environment.

3. The societys ethical use of Nano medicine beyond the concerned safety issues, poses a serious question to the researchers.

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Nano Medicine: Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages

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Nanobiotix a nanomedicine company

Precision medicine and pharmacogenomics

Personalized medicine holds the promise that treatments will one day be tailored to your genetic makeup.

Modern medications save millions of lives a year. Yet any one medication might not work for you, even if it works for other people. Or it might cause severe side effects for you but not for someone else.

Your age, lifestyle and health all influence your response to medications. But so do your genes. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person's unique genetic makeup (genome) influences his or her response to medications.

Precision medicine aims to customize health care, with decisions and treatments tailored to each individual in every way possible. Pharmacogenomics is part of precision medicine.

Although genomic testing is still a relatively new development in drug treatment, this field is rapidly expanding. Currently, more than 200 drugs have label information regarding pharmacogenomic biomarkers some measurable or identifiable genetic information that can be used to individualize the use of a drug.

Each gene provides the blueprint for the production of a certain protein in the body. A particular protein may have an important role in drug treatment for one of several reasons, including the following:

When researchers compare the genomes of people taking the same drug, they may discover that a set of people who share a certain genetic variation also share a common treatment response, such as:

This kind of treatment information is currently used to improve the selection and dosage of drugs to treat a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, lung disease, HIV infection, cancer, arthritis, high cholesterol and depression.

In cancer treatments, there are two genomes that may influence prescribing decisions the genome of the person with cancer (the germline genome) and the genome of the cancerous (malignant) tumor (the somatic genome).

There are many causes of cancer, but most cancers are associated with damaged DNA that allows cells to grow unchecked. The "incorrect" genetic material of the unchecked growth the malignant tumor is really a separate genome that may provide clues for treatment.

One example is thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) testing for people who are candidates for thiopurine drug therapy. Thiopurine drugs are used to treat some autoimmune disorders, including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as some types of cancer, such as childhood leukemia.

The TPMT enzyme helps break down thiopurine drugs. People who are TPMT deficient don't break down and clear out these drugs quickly enough. As a result, the drug concentration in the body is too high and increases the risk of side effects, such as damage to the bone marrow (hematopoietic toxicity).

Genetic testing can identify people with TPMT deficiency so that their doctors can take steps to reduce the risk of serious side effects by prescribing lower than usual doses of thiopurine drugs or by using other drugs instead.

Although pharmacogenomics has great promise and has made important strides in recent years, it's still in its early stages. Clinical trials are needed not only to identify links between genes and treatment outcomes but also to confirm initial findings, clarify the meaning of these associations and translate them into prescribing guidelines.

Nonetheless, progress in this field points toward a time when pharmacogenomics will be part of routine medical care at least for some drugs.

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Precision medicine and pharmacogenomics - Mayo Clinic

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students on the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. The Admissions Office at the Kent Campus may defer the admission of students who do not meet admissions criteria but who demonstrate areas of promise for successful college study. Deferred applicants may begin their college coursework at one of seven regional campuses of Kent State University. For more information on admissions, including additional requirements for some academic programs, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

Freshman Students on the Regional Campuses: Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE score, or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Educations admission website.

Transfer, Transitioning and Former Students: For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

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Biotechnology - B.S. < Kent State University

Johns Hopkins is a world leader in biological research and the global biotechnology industry. We challenge students with a rigorous, multi-disciplinary curriculum that fully prepares them to advance their careers and pursue their academic ambitions in the biotechnology field.Program InformationCourse LocationsBaltimore, MD; Rockville, MD; OnlineAvailable 100% OnsiteYesAvailable 100% OnlineYes*Entry TermsFall, Spring or Summer semesterDegree Requirements10 coursesTuition and FeesTuition in the 2019-2020 academic year is $4,495 per course.Please note: 2019-2020 tuition rates are tentative pending approval by the Board of Trustees.More information.

The Johns Hopkins MS in Biotechnology offers a comprehensive exploration of basic science, applied science, and lab science, with an industry focus. The program gives you a solid grounding in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, and proteomics.

This 10-course degree program is thesis-optional and can be completed fully online. Students can enroll part-time or full-time. This Program offers a sufficient number of onsite courses to sustain students coming to the US on visas. Our curriculum will prepare you to engage in research, lead lab teams, make development and planning decisions, create and apply research modalities to large projects, and take the reins of management and marketing decisions.

Many students like the flexibility of the general degree; it allows them to tailor the coursework to meet their individual career goals. The program also offers six different concentrations: biodefense, bioinformatics, biotechnology enterprise, regenerative and stem cell technologies, regulatory affairs, or drug discovery.

Onsite courses are taught during evenings or weekends at either the universitys Homewood Campus in Baltimore, MD or the Montgomery County Campus in Rockville, MD. Courses are also offered in our state-of-the-art lab.

Each year, students of the MS in Biotechnology have the opportunity to apply for a fellowship with the National Cancer Institute at NIH. This fellowship, which requires onsite research as well as onsite courses for the Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies concentration at the Montgomery Count Campus, awards students with a stipend while providing them with useful experience in the arena of cancer research. Learn more about this fellowship and apply here.

*Note: Students should be aware of state-specific information for online programs. For more information, please contact an admissions representative.

See more here:
Biotechnology | Advanced Academic Programs | Johns Hopkins ...

This book is meant for students and professionals who are looking for reference on different areas in this field, to bring a new student or new hire up to speed.

A scientific revolution less than 20 years old that has already changing the foods we eat and react to the environment.

To bring out the best in nature.

Farmers and bakers were the pioneers of the biotech. Remember Grandma's freshly baked bread? How Grandpa kept the seeds of those really big pepper or tomatoes? Your grandparents were practicing biotechnology. Maybe you still do the same, that is the basis of biotechnology.

Defining "Biotechnology"

The application of the principles of engineering and the use of technology in the field of life sciences-bioengineering.

1 The use of living things to make products.2 The study, application and control of a biological processes. 3 The application of any of the above or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specifically defined uses.

The use of microorganisms (such as bacteria or yeasts) or biological substances (such as enzymes) to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include the production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs, as well as the bioconversion of organic waste and the cleanup of oil spills.

Cloning, genetic manipulation, cell fusion, and mutation.

Modifying the genetic material of organisms directly and with increasing precision, has enabled the transfer of genes between extremely diverse organisms, in combinations unlikely to occur by non-technological means, allowing speedier and more specific results.

Essentially, doing "more and faster" building on what we have known and done for centuries and going beyond.

Life- Defined as:

Products

Good laboratory practice for nonclinical laboratory studies:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/21cfr58_02.html

Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR Part 11)Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures

http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/part11/

Part 210 - current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of drugs; general

Part 211 - current good manufacturing practice for finished pharmaceuticals

http://www.fda.gov/cder/dmpq/cgmpregs.htm

SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures)

Notebook

Documentation for Integrity and traceability

Keys to Successful Biotech products

Record Keeping

requirements

Development / Upstream / Downstream processes

Chemical

Yeast

Fungi

Mammalian Cells

Fermentation?

ExpensiveLabor intensiveOpen EndedTime Consuming

Raw MaterialsBatch to Batch variationsTransportation costsStorage

CompositionGrowth kineticsYieldSeed Bank

Original Stored Cells

Used in actual fermentation

The Biotech Technician must be a person possessing skills with ability to solve problems and meet the customer in such a way that the translations of what is possible can be made clear. They have to maintain a notebook, one that can be read by someone else. Present results in a clear manner, and work with others to meet objectives.

A technician must use the tools of the trade not unlike any other trade, we are farmers but our herd is tiny tiny wildlife. To take care of our herd we must measure certain aspects of their environment.

most accuratemore expensive piece of equipmentStore in bufferCheck for clogging

very coarse measurement of pH

The letters pH stand for "power of hydrogen"

The most abundant element in the universe is hydrogen, which makes up about 3/4 of all matter!

Stronger acids give up more protons, H+ (hydrogen ions); stronger bases give up more OH- (hydroxide ions). Neutral substances have an even balance of H+ and OH-, E.g. Pure (distilled) water.

>7 base -- 7 Neutral -- <7 Acid

Depending on your definition, an acid is a hydrogen ion or proton donator and a base is a hydrogen ion acceptor, hydroxide ion donator, or electron acceptor.

Acids produce H+ ions in aqueous solutions, whereas bases produce OH- ions in aqueous solutions

pH electrode compared to a battery

Store in buffer not H2O

Mercury tubeGood for metals and biologicals and up to 80 degrees C

The common Silver-Silver Chloride reference electrode used with most combination pH electrodes has a Potassium Chloride salt-bridge which is saturated with Silver Chloride.

Works well in most samples, but not in biological samples containing proteins or related materials

Span errorDifference b/w perfect and actual pH Electrode at 25C produces 59.12 mV/pH unit

Offset error

signal @ pH 7.0 @ 25 C is 0 mV

Three point calibration

Calibrate W/I range you going to use

Chemist use buffers to moderate the pH of a reaction.Buffers stabilize a solution at a specific pH value.Resist pH change when small amounts of acid or alkali are added.

KPO4

KPO4 buffer is highly recommended for most P450 assays (microsomal or recombinant enzymes) with the exception of CYP 2C9 and 2A6 where a Tris buffer system is more appropriate.

TRIS buffer

TRIS buffers are used by biochemists to control pH in the physiological range (about 7 to 8 pH) because phosphates cause undesirable side reactions with the biological substances in their test samples.

"Good" buffers

These buffers were well received by the research community because "Good" buffers are nontoxic, easy to purify and their pKa is typically between 6.0 and 8.0, the range at which most biological reactions occur.

The "Good" buffers also feature minimal penetration of membranes, minimal absorbance in the 240-700 nm range and minimal effects due to salt, concentration or temperature.

pKa = dissociation constant

In chemistry and biochemistry, a dissociation constant or an ionization constant is a specific type of equilibrium constant used for dissociation (ionization) reactions.Dissociation in chemistry and biochemistry is a general process in which complexes, molecules, or salts separate or split into smaller molecules, ions, or radicals, usually in a reversible manner. Dissociation is the opposite of association and recombination.

Problems

A gelatinous material derived from certain marine algae.

Two types:

Components required for preparing a minimal agar

LB (Luria-Bertani) Media

contains blood cells from an animal (e.g. a sheep). Most bacteria will grow on this medium

This contains lysed blood cells, and is used for growing fastidious (fussy) respiratory bacteria.

Purpose Mannitol salt agar is both a selective and differential growth medium.

Inhibits Gram+MacConkey

This type of agar is used since it is one of the most forgiving media available - it is hard to contaminate, and E. coli usually grow up as red colonies.

(Almost all spore forming bacteria are Gram-positive, but these cannot grow on MacConkey agar because of the detergent in it (bile salts), and very few Gram-negative bacteria can tolerate either the initial dryness of the plates, or the boiling temperatures needed to make the MacConkey agar. Also, while fungal spores can tolerate the dryness, they cannot tolerate the boiling.)

This is an agar upon which only Gram-negative bacteria can grow

Starch

An agar plate is a sterile Petri dish that contains agar plus nutrients, and is used to culture bacteria or fungi.

contains the antibiotic neomycin.

Used for fungi. It contains gentamicin and has a low pH that will kill most bacteria.

+ Complex+ pH 7.2

Common UV/ VIS spectrophotometers Following is a list of commonly used spectrophotometers: GeneSys 20 HP8452A Diode Array Spectronic 20

Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy or Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometry (UV/ VIS) involves the spectroscopy of photons (spectrophotometry). It uses light in the visible and adjacent near ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) ranges. In this region of energy space molecules undergo electronic transitions.

A=elc

There are different types of Sterilization techniques. Some of them are 1. Physical sterilization 2. Chemical sterilization

Under Physical sterilization a) Heatb) Filtration c) Ionising Radiation etc.,In Heat sterilization i. Temperature above 100 Cii. Temperature at 100 Ciii. Temperature below 100 C.

i. Temperature above 100 CThere are two methods involved in it a. Moisture heat sterilizationb. Dry heat sterilization

Using a balanceCalibration / documentation

Gel electrophoresis is a method that separates macromolecules-either nucleic acids or proteins-on the basis of size, electric charge, and other physical properties. Researchers can typically control the charge at the top and bottom of the gel. DNA is negatively charged so to run it through the gel, the top would have to be set to - and the bottom to +.

materials

agarose

Agarose is a natural colloid extracted from sea weedIt is very fragile and easily destroyed by handlingAgarose gels have very large "pore" size and are used primarily to separate very large molecules with a molecular mass greater than 200 kDaltonsAgarose gels can be processed faster than polyacrylamide gels, but their resolution is inferior.

Agarose is a linear polysaccharide (average molecular mas about 12,000) made up of the basic repeat unit agarobiose, which comprises alternating units of galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Agarose is usually used at concentrations between 1% and 3%. Agarose is a chain of sugar molecules, and is extracted from seaweed.

Perhaps you have seen the terms TBE or TAE.

These are names of two commonly used buffers in electrophoresis.

The "T" stands for Tris, a chemical which helps maintain a consistent pH of the solution.

The "E" stands for EDTA, which itself is another anacronym. EDTA chelates (gobbles up) divalent cations like magnesium. This is important because most nucleases require divalent cations for activity, and you certainly wouldn't want any stray nucleases degrading your sample while it's running through the gel, would you?

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Biotechnology - Wikibooks, open books for an open world

Genetically engineered (GE) seed varieties were commercially introduced in 1996. Adoption rates for these crops increased rapidly in the years that followed. Currently, over 90 percent of U.S. corn, upland cotton, soybeans, canola, and sugarbeets are produced using GE varieties.

HT crops tolerate potent herbicides (such as glyphosate, glufosinate, and dicamba), which have the potential to damage non-GE crops. Insect-resistant (Bt) crops contain a gene from the soil bacteriumBacillus thuringiensisthat produces an insecticidal protein. Although other GE traits have been developed (such as virus and fungus resistance, drought resistance, and enhanced protein, oil, or vitamin content), HT and Bt traits are the most commonly used in U.S. crop production. While HT seeds are also widely used in alfalfa, canola, and sugar beet production, most GE acres are planted to three major field crops: corn, cotton, and soybeans.

See Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S., a data product on the ERS website, for more information.

Though GE seeds tend to be more expensive than conventional ones, planting them tends to increase crop yields, lower pesticide costs, and/or provide time and labor savings. The impacts of GE crops vary by crop, year, and location. Bt crops tend to have higher yields than non-Bt crops when insects are present. Insecticide costs also tend to be lower on fields where Bt crops are planted. Planting HT crops tends to simplify weed management decisions, which can lead to time and labor savings. HT adoption also tends to promote the use of conservation tillage technologies and often induces farmers to substitute the herbicide glyphosate for more toxic herbicides. However, large increases in glyphosate use have recently led to the development of glyphosate-resistant weed populations. The spread of resistant weed populations has the potential to erode the benefits associated with HT production systems.

ERS conducts research on a number of agricultural biotechnology issues, including:

A book from the National Research Council titled The Impact of Genetically Engineered Crops on Farm Sustainability in the United States (2010) is a comprehensive assessment of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the GE-crop revolution on U.S. farms.

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USDA ERS - Biotechnology

Some examples of biotechnology include human gene therapy, genetically modifying plants and changing the genes of bacteria. Biotechnology helps improve crops so they produce more, healthier produce. It also helps fight human diseases.

Biotechnology is generally involved in changing the genes of a an organism to get the desired result. It affects the most people through genetically modified crops. Genetic modification of crops started thousands of years ago through selective breeding for preferred traits, but with the advances in technology in the modern day, scientists are able to directly manipulate genes. These plants produce higher quality food at a higher rate, and are often resistant to pests and diseases, which helps feed larger amounts of people for a lower price on less land.

Biotechnology more directly helps humans with gene therapy and the modification of bacteria to produce insulin for patients with diabetes. Gene therapy can help reduce or remove the effects of a disease, such as cancer or AIDS, but is still mostly in research and development. This type of therapy is still promising and has had good results in testing phases. Modified bacteria cells that produce insulin as they age helps treat and control the effects of diabetes in humans over time.

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What Are Examples of Biotechnology? | Reference.com

Figure 1

The production of a a recombined bacterium using a gene from a foreign donor and the synthesis of protein encoded by the recombinant DNA molecule.

The genes used in DNA technology are commonly obtained from host cells or organisms calledgene libraries.A gene library is a collection of cells identified as harboring a specific gene. For example,E. colicells can be stored with the genes for human insulin in their chromosomes.

Pharmaceutical products.Gene defects in humans can lead to deficiencies in proteins such as insulin, human growth hormone, and Factor VIII. These protein deficiencies may lead to problems such as diabetes, dwarfism, and impaired blood clotting, respectively. Missing proteins can now be replaced by proteins manufactured through biotechnology. Forinsulinproduction, two protein chains are encoded by separate genes in plasmids inserted into bacteria. The protein chains are then chemically joined to form the final insulin product.Human growth hormoneis also produced within bacteria, but special techniques are used because the bacteria do not usually produce human proteins. Therapeutic proteins produced by biotechnology include a clot-dissolving protein calledtissue plasminogen activator (TPA)andinterferon.This antiviral protein is produced withinE. colicells. Interferon is currently used against certain types of cancers and for certain skin conditions.

Vaccinesrepresent another application of recombinant DNA technology. For instance, the hepatitis B vaccine now in use is composed of viral protein manufactured by yeast cells, which have been recombined with viral genes. The vaccine is safe because it contains no viral particles. Experimental vaccines against AIDS are being produced in the same way.

Diagnostic testing.Recombinant DNA and biotechnology have opened a new era of diagnostic testing and have made detecting many genetic diseases possible. The basic tool of DNA analyses is a fragment of DNA called the DNA probe. ADNA probeis a relatively small, single-stranded fragment of DNA that recognizes and binds to a complementary section of DNA in a complex mixture of DNA molecules. The probe mingles with the mixture of DNA and unites with the target DNA much like a left hand unites with the right. Once the probe unites with its target, it emits a signal such as radioactivity to indicate that a reaction has occurred.

To work effectively, a sufficiently large amount of target DNA must be available. To increase the amount of available DNA, a process called thepolymerase chain reaction (PCR)is used. In a highly automated machine, the target DNA is combined with enzymes, nucleotides, and a primer DNA. In geometric fashion, the enzymes synthesize copies of the target DNA, so that in a few hours billions of molecules of DNA exist where only a few were before.

Using DNA probes and PCR, scientists are now able to detect the DNA associated with HIV (and AIDS), Lyme disease, and genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease, and fragile X syndrome.

Gene therapy. Gene therapyis a recombinant DNA process in which cells are taken from the patient, altered by adding genes, and replaced in the patient, where the genes provide the genetic codes for proteins the patient is lacking.

In the early 1990s, gene therapy was used to correct a deficiency of the enzymeadenosine deaminase (ADA).Blood cells called lymphocytes were removed from the bone marrow of two children; then genes for ADA production were inserted into the cells using viruses as vectors. Finally, the cells were reinfused to the bodies of the two children. Once established in the bodies, the gene-altered cells began synthesizing the enzyme ADA and alleviated the deficiency.

Gene therapy has also been performed with patients withmelanoma(a virulent skin cancer). In this case, lymphocytes that normally attack tumors are isolated in the patients and treated with genes for an anticancer protein calledtumor necrosis factor.The genealtered lymphocytes are then reinfused to the patients, where they produce the new protein which helps destroy cancer cells. Approximately 2000 single-gene defects are believed to exist, and patients with these defects may be candidates for gene therapy.

DNA fingerprinting.The use of DNA probes and the development of retrieval techniques have made it possible to match DNA molecules to one another for identification purposes. This process has been used in a forensic procedure calledDNA fingerprinting.

The use of DNA fingerprinting depends upon the presence of repeating base sequences that exist in the human genome. The repeating sequences are calledrestriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs).As the pattern of RFLPs is unique for every individual, it can be used as a molecular fingerprint. To perform DNA fingerprinting, DNA is obtained from an individual's blood cells, hair fibers, skin fragments, or other tissue. The DNA is extracted from the cells and digested with enzymes. The resulting fragments are separated by a process called electrophoresis. These separated DNA fragments are tested for characteristic RFLPs using DNA probes. A statistical evaluation enables the forensic pathologist to compare a suspect's DNA with the DNA recovered at a crime scene and to assert with a degree of certainty (usually 99 percent) that the suspect was at the crime scene.

DNA and agriculture.Although plants are more difficult to work with than bacteria, gene insertions can be made into single plant cells, and the cells can then be cultivated to form a mature plant. The major method for inserting genes is through the plasmids of a bacterium calledAgrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium invades plant cells, and its plasmids insert into plant chromosomes carrying the genes for tumor induction. Scientists remove the tumor-inducing genes and obtain a plasmid that unites with the plant cell without causing any harm.

Recombinant DNA and biotechnology have been used to increase the efficiency of plant growth by increasing the efficiency of the plant's ability to fix nitrogen. Scientists have obtained the genes for nitrogen fixation from bacteria and have incorporated those genes into plant cells. By obtaining nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, the plants can synthesize their own proteins without intervention of bacteria as normally needed.

DNA technology has also been used to increase plant resistance to disease. The genes for an insecticide have been obtained from the bacteriumBacillus thuringiensisand inserted into plants to allow them to resist caterpillars and other pests. In addition, plants have been reengineered to produce the capsid protein that encloses viruses. These proteins lend resistance to the plants against viral disease.

The human genome. One of the most ambitious scientific endeavors of the twentieth century was the effort to sequence the nitrogenous bases in thehuman genome. Begun in 1990 and completed in 2003, the effort encompassed 13 years of work at a cost of approximately $3 billion. Knowing the content of the human genome is helping researchers devise new diagnostics and treatments for genetic diseases and will also be of value to developmental biologists, evolutionary biologists, and comparative biologists.

In addition to learning the genome of humans, the project has also studied numerous bacteria. By 1995, the genomes of two bacteria had been completely deciphered (Haemophilus influenzaeandMycoplasma genitalium), and by 1996, the genome of the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaewas known. The Human Genome Project is one of colossal magnitude that will have an impact on many branches of science for decades to come. The project remains the crowning achievement of DNA research in the twentieth century and the bedrock for research in the twenty-first.

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Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology - CliffsNotes

Amniotic regenerative cell therapy is one of the newest and most cutting-edge therapies for chronic joint pain. Amniotic derived regenerative cell therapy offers patients 3 essential properties for healing and restoring joint health:

Since amniotic derived regenerative cell therapy is not derived from embryonic stem cells or fetal tissue, there are no ethical issues with the treatment. The amniotic regenerative cell therapy consists of an injection directly into the painful area. The therapy has the potential to actually alter the course of the condition and not simply mask the pain. This therapy has significant potential for those in pain, and could actually repair structural problems while treating pain and inflammation simultaneously. When the amniotic cell material is obtained, it comes from consenting donors who have undergone elective c-sections. The fluid is processed at an FDA regulated lab, and is checked for a full slate of diseases per FDA guidelines. The amniotic material has been used over 60,000 times in the US with no adverse events reported. It acts as an immunologically privileged material, meaning it has NOT been shown to cause any rejection reaction in the body. This means there is no graft versus host problem.

Our services are provided by Dr. John Biery D.O. F.A.O.S.M. F.A.C.S.M. F.A.C.O.F.P

Lauren Sherer P.A.-C

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Stem Cell Therapy | Ohio Stem Cell

Biotechnology, often abbreviated to biotech, is the area of biology that uses living processes, organisms or systems to manufacture products or technology intended to improve the quality of human life. Depending on the technology, tools and applications involved, biotechnology can overlap with molecular biology, bionics, bioengineering, genetic engineering and nanotechnology.

By harnessing cellular and biomolecular processes, scientists can make advances and adaptations to technology in various fields. Traditional processes include using living organisms in their natural form, breeding new living organisms or modifying their genetic makeup. Successful applications of such processes have resulted in treatment of disease, environmental impact reduction and more efficient use of natural resources. Major biotech companies implement biotechnology as a practice to bring medical devices and products to the mainstream market.

Biotechnology, like other advanced technologies, has the potential for misuse. Concern about this has led to efforts by some groups to enact legislation restricting or banning certain processes or programs, such as human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. There is also concern that if biotechnological processes are used by groups with nefarious intent, the end result could be biological warfare.

The science of biotechnology can be broken down into sub-disciplines based on common uses and applications.

Modern biotechnology can be used for a variety of applications, including:

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What is biotechnology (biotech)? - Definition from WhatIs.com

Maintaining a Healthy Sex Life

Most men between the ages of 30 and 65 will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.

Whether you are looking to start a family or maintain a relationship, erectile dysfunction can drive a physical and emotional wedge between you and your partner. If you are dealing with erectile dysfunction or perhapsPeyronies disease, youre not able to live your best life. According to the latest clinical research, stem cells could be the key to reclaiming your healthy sex life.

Stem cells are the most powerful healing solution, arguably, in the history of medicine.

They have the ability to form completely new and healthy tissue, and in the case of Peyronies disease patients, it can completely eliminate the plaque that causes penile curvature in the first place.

If youre tired of pumping your body with risky or ineffective medications, stem cells can provide long-term relief and help you feel like youre in your 20s again!

At HealthGAINS, we exclusively use Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC). They are unique in that they are unspecialized and have the ability to morph into any specialized cells as needed.

Mesenchymal stem cells also have a self-renewing ability in which they continuously divide to make more of the cells that they transform into.

For years, doctors have utilized the unique nature of stem cells to produce renewed, healthier tissue and organs for patients in need of serious medical relief.

All stem cells carry three properties:

These properties, when applied to an area of the body, allow for the newly introduced stem cells to take on the function of surrounding cells. This addresses the deteriorating effects of aging. When applied to the groin, stem cells provide men with these key benefits:

For those suffering from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction, stem cell therapy is a viable solution. By introducing stem cells into the body, their regenerative effects work to restore and repair the blood vessels and tissues that are preventing the ideal blood flow that creates strong and lasting erections.

With renewed blood vessels, men can achieve harder and longer erections as well as improved sensation for a reinvigorated sexual experience. Men will be able to perform better, more often and with more ability and enthusiasm.

A unique behavior of stem cells is their innate ability to seek out and remove foreign particles from the body. For those suffering from Peyronies disease, little has provided you relief from the physical and sexual discomfort that comes with the condition. However, the plaque build-up that creates the uncomfortable bend, can be removed through stem cell treatments. The stem cells will identify the plaque as an issue and eliminate it entirely and permanently from the body.

Patients can, in as little as 8 weeks, experience lasting relief from their Peyronies disease and accompanying Erectile Dysfunction. Patients can resume or experience for the first time their healthy and satisfying sex lives.

If you arent familiar with our GAINSWave therapy, it utilizes the healing effects of sound waves that are pulsed into the penis to pump up its performance by improving blood flow. The results are impeccable, long lasting and produce no side effects.

Because GAINSWave therapy and stem cell treatments are surgery-free, they can be utilized to enhance each others effects on your sex life.

These treatments work together through GAINSWave creating a stimulant that triggers the body to generate growth factors and send them to the treated area. The stem cells then come in to assist in the creation of more growth factors (proteins) as well as become the building block for more tissue. From soft tissue to new blood vessels, these two treatments work together to regenerate and reinvigorate your sexual capabilities completely.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The Mesenchymal Stem Cells we utilize are donated from the umbilical cords of healthy, full-term infants after childbirth. These cells are the healthiest and strongest version of stem cells that have been extracted for medical use.

This, combined with the fact that mesenchymal stem cells are inherently immune privilege (meaning they contain no allergies and will not react negatively with the body), gives patients peace of mind. No side effects have been found in our stem cell treatments.

Stem cells are a very powerful solution to many medical issues. If you want the most out of your sexual health treatment or you have a serious case of Erectile Dysfunction, utilizing a combination of stem cells with a GAINSWave treatment will give you the most potent healing results that modern sexual health medicine can provide.

We recommend speaking with one of our mens health specialists. Our medical experts will review your medical history, current sexual health, and overall wellness goals to develop a treatment plan tailored to you.

If you want to drastically improve your sex life through natural treatment methods, call the experts at HealthGAINS at (866) 540-3555.

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Stem Cell Therapy for ED in Miami, FL | ED Help | HealthGAINS

We get many emails asking about alternative medical and which doctor or practitioners would we most recommend. Requests vary from everything to vitamins injections and Cobalt treatment for whatever, HIV/AIDs and cancer cures and the increasing inquires about anti-aging remedies.

With Health Care in the US running amok, Costa Rica has become a major place for medical tourism that include modern hospitals that provide elective procedures as well as complex specialized surgeries such as joint replacement (knee/hip), cardiac surgery, dental surgery, and cosmetic surgeries the Central American country has also has seen an major increase in herbalism or what is also called, botanical medicine.

According to The United Nations, Costa Rica ranks in first place in Latin America for the development of curative and preventative diseases. And the World Health Organization (WHO) has Costa Rica placed higher for health services than that of the US. So it is very appealing for those seeking treatment to do it in Costa Rica and most important, medical costs vs the US are a lot lower.

Herbal medicine is an approach to the treatment of diseases and medical complaints involving the use of plants and their extracts. Many conventional drugs also use medicines derived from plant sources.

Some 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide today are derived directly from rainforest plants, which Costa Rica has a lot of. And according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, more than two-thirds of all medicines found to have cancer-fighting properties come from rainforest plants. Examples abound. Ingredients obtained and synthesized from a now-extinct periwinkle plant found only in Madagascar (until deforestation wiped it out) have increased the chances of survival for children with leukemia from 20 percent to 80 percent.

Some of the compounds in rainforest plants are also used to treat malaria, heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, rheumatism, diabetes, muscle tension, arthritis, glaucoma, dysentery and tuberculosis, among other health problems. And many commercially available anesthetics, enzymes, hormones, laxatives, cough mixtures, antibiotics and antiseptics are also derived from rainforest plants and herbs.

Herbal medicine is considered an alternative medical philosophy, as the efficacy of many of the ingredients used has not been scientifically proven or approved in the US, FDA but becoming more popular and openly practiced in Costa Rica.

Unfortunately, that has a greater potential to generate into scammers haven with their well-versed hype in herbal remedies, massage techniques and guided meditation. Generally the only thing they provide is a psychological sounding board for the one that seeks desperate treatment.

According to WHO there is no registry of traditional health practitioners in Costa Rica. Many biomedical health practitioners have a negative bias towards traditional healers and traditional medicine, thinking of healers mostly as quacks and with that said, the medical fraud cases have increase as people seek last minute help from those practicing without a license, to useless supplements, worthless or dangerous diet aides, fake medicines and the last stop in cures for cancer.

In Costa Rica traditional medicine practitioners are not licensed, nor are they sanctioned for practicing medicine, which leaves an open book to anyone that wants to practice Alternative Medical in Costa Rica. Countries like the US have rigid laws that forbid the so-called, Snake Oils. It is unclear to calculate the number of frauds, mostly due to people embarrassment of when they get conned out of their retirement funds, and do not report it.

Though the production of traditional medications is somewhat regulated in Costa Rica, like what happened when the Costa Rica government banned stem cell research the practice of traditional medicine is generally ignored in official health laws.

However, the good news is, this may soon change as the Legislative Assembly is currently considering a bill that would regulate traditional medicine. When it happens and what it regulates may be another story.

The other good news is, Costa Rica is excelling when it comes to alternative holistic approach which goes far beyond the Mind-Body connection, like yoga, and is becoming a preferred place for wellness whether it is after surgery recuperation, weight loss (Bariatric Surgery) strength training, drug treatment, rehabilitation, or general conditioning in an exceptional environment. It has also become the place to go for the rich and famous who want seclusion.

Many of the centers have top professional and trained medical personal that focused on nutrition counseling, exercise, education and behavior modification. They work with you on not just short-term solutions but on the long-term lifestyle changes, such as Holistic healing.

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Along with many potential benefits, genomic-based personalized medicine brings important legal and ethical questions:

Questions like these loom large as the genomic revolution accelerates, but many of them have been addressed by state and federal legislation. In 2008 Congress overwhelmingly approved the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), and President Bush signed it into law.

GINA prohibits your health insurer from requesting, requiring or using your genetic information to make decisions about your eligibility for health insurance or your health insurance premium, contribution amounts or coverage terms. It also prohibits your employer from using your genetic information to make decisions about hiring, firing, promotion, pay, privileges or terms, or to limit, segregate, classify or otherwise mistreat you.

The Jackson Laboratory is committed to giving policy makers, legislators, ethicists, educators and consumers the scientific information needed to address the societal issues of genomic-based personalized medicine.

And in our clinical diagnostics operations, which analyze human DNA samples, we are dedicated to patient privacy. We follow detailed policies and procedures for protecting the confidentiality of individuals lab test results and other protected health Information, in full compliance with the privacy and security rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (known as HIPAA).

See our notice of privacy practices, which articulates our commitment to protecting health information.

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Ethical considerations of genomics and precision medicine

A change or damage to a gene can affect the message the gene carries, and that message could be telling our cells to make a specific protein that the body needs in order to function properly. NAV Gene Therapy focuses on correcting these defects in genetic diseases by delivering a healthy, working copy of the gene to the cells in need of repair, which potentially enables the body to make the deficient protein. The NAV Technology Platform can also be used to deliver a gene that allows the body to produce a therapeutic protein to treat a specific disease.

Heres how the NAV Technology Platform works:

First, our scientists insert the gene of interest (that is, either the missing/defective gene or a gene to create a therapeutic protein) into a NAV Vector. A NAV Vector is a modified adeno-associated virus (AAV), which is not known to cause disease in humans. It is common for viruses to be used as vectors in gene and cell therapy. The NAV Vector acts as a delivery vehicle, transporting and unloading the gene into cells where the gene triggers production of the protein the body needs.

Our NAV Technology Platform includes more than 100 novel AAV vectors, including AAV8, AAV9 and AAVrh10, many of which are tailored to reach specific areas of the body where the gene is needed most. For example, gene therapy delivered to the liver has the potential to treat metabolic diseases like hemophilia, whereas gene therapy designed to reach the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) may primarily impact symptoms of diseases that affect the brain and cognition.

Next, the NAV Vector is administered into the patient by injection or infusion, and is expected to make its way to cells that need the protein. The NAV Vector is designed to reach the target cells and deliver the gene it is carrying, enabling the cells to make the protein the body needs. These genes have the potential to correct disease by triggering production of a therapeutic protein or by allowing the bodys natural mechanisms to work the way they were intended.

Because gene therapies may have a long-term effect, a single administration of NAV Gene Therapy has the potential to do the same work as years of conventional chronic therapies.

Learn more about gene therapy below:

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Gene Therapy - REGENXBIO

Neurological diseases are complicated. A single genetic mutation causes some, while multiple genetic and environmental factors cause others. Also, within a single neurological disease, patients can experience varying symptoms and degrees of disease severity.

And you cant just open up the brain and poke around to see whats causing the problem in living patients. Its also hard to predict when someone is going to get sick until its already too late.

To combat these obstacles, scientists are creating clinically relevant human stem cells in the lab to capture the development of brain diseases and the differences in their severity. However, how to generate the best and most useful stem cell models of disease is a pressing question facing the field.

Current state of stem cell models for brain diseases

Cold Spring Harbor Lab, Hillside Campus, Location: Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Architect: Centerbrook Architects

A group of expert stem cell scientists met earlier this year at Cold Spring Harbor in New York to discuss the current state and challenges facing the development of stem cell-based models for neurological diseases. The meeting highlighted case studies of recent advances in using patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) to model a breadth of neurological and psychiatric diseases causes and patient symptoms arent fully represented in existing human cell models and mouse models.

The point of the meeting was to identify what stem cell models have been developed thus far, how successful or lacking they are, and what needs to be improved to generate models that truly mimic human brain diseases. For a full summary of what was discussed, you can read a Meeting Report about the conference in Stem Cell Reports.

What needs to be done

After reading the report, it was clear that scientists need to address four major issues before the field of patient-specific stem cell modeling for brain disorders can advance to therapeutic and clinical applications.

1. Define the different states of brain cells: The authors of the report emphasized that there needs to be a consensus on defining different cell states in the brain. For instance, in this blog we frequently refer to pluripotent stem cells and neural (brain) stem cells as a single type of cell. But in reality, both pluripotent and brain stem cells have different states, which are reflected by their ability to turn into different types of cells and activate a different set of genes. The question the authors raised was what starting cell types should be used to model specific brain disorders and how do we make them from iPS cells in a reproducible and efficient fashion?

2. Make stem cell models more complex: The second point was that iPS cell-based models need to get with the times. Just like how most action-packed or animated movies come in 3D IMAX, stem cell models also need to go 3D. The brain is comprised of an integrated network of neurons and glial support cells, and this complex environment cant be replicated on the flat surface of a petri dish.

Advances in generating organoids (which are mini organs made from iPS cells that develop similar structures and cell types to the actual organ) look promising for modeling brain disease, but the authors admit that its far from a perfect science. Currently, organoids are most useful for modeling brain development and diseases like microencephaly, which occurs in infants and is caused by abnormal brain development before or after birth. For more complex neurological diseases, organoid technology hasnt progressed to the point of providing consistent or accurate modeling.

The authors concluded:

A next step for human iPS cell-based models of brain disorders will be building neural complexity invitro, incorporating cell types and 3D organization to achieve network- and circuit-level structures. As the level of cellular complexity increases, new dimensions of modeling will emerge, and modeling neurological diseases that have a more complex etiology will be accessible.

3. Address current issues in stem cell modeling: The third issue mentioned was that of human mosaicism. If you think that all the cells in your body have the same genetic blue print, then youre wrong. The authors pointed out that as many as 30% of your skin cells have differences in their DNA structure or DNA sequences. Remember that iPS cell lines are derived from a single patient skin or other cell, so the problem is that studies might need to develop multiple iPS cell lines to truly model the disease.

Additionally, some brain diseases are caused by epigenetic factors, which modify the structure of your DNA rather than the genetic sequence itself. These changes can turn genes on and off, and they are unfortunately hard to reproduce accurately when reprogramming iPS cells from patient adult cells.

4. Improve stem cell models for drug discovery: Lastly, the authors addressed the use of iPS cell-based modeling for drug discovery. Currently, different strategies are being employed by academia and industry, both with their pros and cons.

Industry is pursuing high throughput screening of large drug libraries against known disease targets using industry standard stem cell lines. In contrast, academics are pursuing candidate drug screening on a much smaller scale but using more relevant, patient specific stem cell models.

The authors point out that, a major goal in the still nascent human stem cell field is to utilize improved cell-based assays in the service of small-molecule therapeutics discovery and virtual early-phase clinical trials.

While in the past, the paths that academia and industry have taken to reach this goal were different, the authors predict a convergence between the paths:

Now, research strategies are converging, and both types of researchers are moving toward human iPS cell-based screening platforms, drifting toward a hybrid model New collaborations between academic and pharma researchers promise a future of parallel screening for both targets and phenotypes.

Conclusions and Looking to the Future

This meeting successfully described the current landscape of iPS cell-based disease modeling for brain disorders and laid out a roadmap for advancing these stem cell models to a stage where they are more effective for understanding the mechanisms behind disease and for therapeutic screening.

I agree with the authors conclusion that:

Moving forward, a critical application of human iPS cell-based studies will be in providing a platform for defining the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms of disease risk, which will be an essential first step toward target discovery.

My favorite points in the report were about the need for more collaboration between academia and industry and also the push for reproducibility of these iPS cell models. Ultimately, the goal is to understand what causes neurological disease, and what drugs or stem cell therapies can be used to cure them. While iPS cell models for brain diseases still have a way to go before being more clinically relevant, they will surely play a prominent role in attaining this goal.

Meeting Attendees

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Four Challenges to Making the Best Stem Cell Models for ...

What is Diabetes What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that prevents your body from properly using the energy from the food you eat. Diabetes occurs in one of the following situations:

-Or-

To better understand diabetes, it helps to know more about how the body uses food for energy (a process called metabolism).

Your body is made up of millions of cells. To make energy, the cells need food in a very simple form. When you eat or drink, much of your food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose provides the energy your body needs for daily activities.

The blood vessels and blood are the highways that transport sugar from where it is either taken in (the stomach) or manufactured (in the liver) to the cells where it is used (muscles) or where it is stored (fat). Sugar cannot go into the cells by itself. The pancreas releases insulin into the blood, which serves as the helper, or the "key," that lets sugar into the cells for use as energy.

When sugar leaves the bloodstream and enters the cells, the blood sugar level is lowered. Without insulin, or the "key," sugar cannot get into the body's cells for use as energy. This causes sugar to rise. Too much sugar in the blood is called "hyperglycemia" (high blood sugar).

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2:

Other types of diabetes might result from pregnancy (gestational diabetes), surgery, use of certain medicines, various illnesses and other specific causes.

Gestational diabetes occurs when there is a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, the developing baby has a greater need for glucose. Hormone changes during pregnancy also affect the action of insulin, which brings about high blood glucose levels.

Pregnant women who have a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes include those who:

Blood glucose levels usually return to normal after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

The causes of diabetes are not known. The following risk factors may increase your chance of getting diabetes:

It is important to note that sugar itself does not cause diabetes. Eating a lot of sugar can lead to tooth decay, but it does not cause diabetes.

The symptoms of diabetes include:

Most people have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when their blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dl. (Your healthcare provider will tell you how to test your blood sugar level.)

When your blood sugar is low, your body gives out signs that you need food. Different people have different symptoms. You will learn to know your symptoms.

Common early symptoms of low blood sugar include the following:

Late symptoms of low blood sugar include:

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

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Diabetes Mellitus: An Overview | Cleveland Clinic

You are here: Home > Articles > Visual Disabilities > Page 4: Color-blindness

Before getting into the details of the types of color-blindness, you should know that the following explanations are simplified versions of the complete picture. Color-blindness is a fascinating topic precisely because of its complexity. You do not need to understand all of the details of color-blindness to know how to create web content that is accessible to those who are color-blind. Here is an important fact to understand right off the bat:

Important

The key principle of web accessibility for users with color-blindness is:

The colors with which they have difficulty distinguishing depend upon their type of color-blindness, but red-green deficiencies are the most common.

The most common broad category of color-blindness is often called red-green color-blindness, but this does not mean that these people cannot see reds or greens. They simply have a harder time differentiating between them. Not all reds and greens are indistinguishable. It would be easy for someone with a red-green deficiency to tell the difference between a light green and a dark red, for example. A lot dependsat least in parton how dark the colors are. If the red is approximately as dark as the green, there is a greater likelihood that the colors will be confused.

Also, there is some evidence that people with red-green color-blindness see reds and greens as yellows, oranges and beiges. This means that yellows, oranges, and beiges can be confused with greens and reds. The colors least affected are the blues.

When designing web content for people who are color-blind you do NOT have to convert all of your images to black and white or get rid of your images entirely. In fact, you may not have to change any of your images at all. Here is the key:

Important

Make sure that colors are not your only method of conveying important information.

Most of the time when people put images on the web, the fact that they are in color at all is irrelevant. It may be nicer to see the colors, but the viewer can understand the image just fine even with all of the colors removed. If, however, the purpose of posting the image is to communicate something about the colors in that image, then it is important to provide some other way of understanding the information. For example, if the image shows the routes of the London Underground, where the routes are distinguished only by the color of the lines, as in the graphic below, you would want to somehow annotate either the graphic itself (and supply the appropriate alt text) or the text in the web page to supplement the color-dependent method of distinguishing between routes.

Incidentally, people with color-blindness are not the only ones who will benefit from this technique. Those who are blind are also unable to distinguish between colors, and so are in need of the extra cues given through other methods.

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WebAIM: Visual Disabilities - Color-blindness

In a world first, Australian scientists have figured out how to reprogram adult bone or fat cells to form stem cells that could potentially regenerate any damaged tissue in the body.

The researchers were inspired by the way salamanders are able to replace lost limbs, and developed a technique that gives adult cells the ability to lose their adultcharacteristics, multiply and regenerate multiple cell types - what is known as multipotency.That means the new stem cells can hypothetically repairany injury in the body, from severed spinal cords to joint and muscle degeneration. And its a pretty big deal, because there are currently no adult stem cells that naturally regenerate multiple tissue types.

"This technique is a significant advance on many of the current unproven stem cell therapies, which have shown little or no objective evidence they contribute directly to new tissue formation," said lead researcher John Pimanda from the University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine (UNSW Medicine). "We are currently assessing whether adult human fat cells reprogrammed into [induced multipotent stem cells (iMS cells)] can safely repair damaged tissue in mice, with human trials expected to begin in late 2017."

Right now, although its an exciting and much-hyped field of study, stem cell therapy still has a number of limitations, primarily because the most useful cells are embryonic stem cells, which are taken from developing embryos and have the potential to become any cell type in the body.But they also have the tendency to form tumours and cannot be transplanted directly to regenerate adult cells.

Instead, researchers are able to use tissue-specific adult cells, which can only turn into the cell types in their region of the body for example, lung stem cells can only differentiate into lung tissue, so theyre not as versatile as scientists need.

Scientists have also worked out how to reprogram regular adult stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) a type of stem cell thats even more flexible than multipotent stem cells, but requires the use of viruses in order for the cells to be reset, which isnt ideal to help treat patients. Thats why the new research is so exciting.

"Embryonic stem cells cannot be used to treat damaged tissues because of their tumour forming capacity," said one of the researchers, Vashe Chandrakanthan. "The other problem when generating stem cells is the requirement to use viruses to transform cells into stem cells, which is clinically unacceptable."

"We believe weve overcome these issues with this new technique."

To create the new type of stem cells, the researchers collected adult human bone and fat cells and treated them with two compounds: 5-Azacytidine (AZA); and platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) for two days.

This kick-started the process of dedifferentiation which basically means it started to revert them to a multipotent stem cell state. The cells were then kept in PDGF-AB for a few weeks while they slowly changed into stem cells, eventually becoming tissue-regenerative iMS cells which basically means they can repair any type of tissue in the body.

"This technique is ground-breaking because iMS cells regenerate multiple tissue types," said Pimanda. "We have taken bone and fat cells, switched off their memory and converted them into stem cells so they can repair different cell types once they are put back inside the body."

Right now, this process is only a proof of concept, but the researchers are already on their way to furthering the technique, and are currently investigating if human iMS cells can be transformed and repair tissue damage in mice.

The researchers also want to look into how the cells act at the sites of transplantation. If all goes well, human trials are expected for late 2017.

The first trials will focus on whether the iMS cells can heal bone, joint, and muscle tissue, helping to improve treatment for chronic back pain and injuries.

This research has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

UNSW Medicine is a sponsor of ScienceAlert. Find out more about their world-leading research.

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New Stem Cell Treatment Using Fat Cells Could Repair Any ...

Life expectancy is ballooning just as science and technology are on the cusp of solving many of the practical problems of aging. What if we could not only have added years but spend them being physically fit, mentally sharp, functionally independent, and financially secure? At that point, we no longer have a story about old age. We have a story about long life.- Laura L. Carstensen, A Long Bright Future

In less than one century, life expectancy has increased by an average of 30 years in developed regions of the world. Quite suddenly, there are more people living longer in the world than ever before in human history and they are accounting for an increasingly greater percentage of the world population. Improved longevity is, at once, among the most remarkable achievements in all of human history and one of our greatest challenges. These added years can be a gift or a burden to humanity depending upon how they are used.

The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity is to redesign long life. The Center studies the nature and development of the human life span, looking for innovative ways to use science and technology to solve the problems of people over 50 by improving the well-being of people of all ages.

Meeting these challenges includes changing our public policies as well as personal behavior. Redesigning long life means appreciating the unique challenges of aging, as well as the great value older people contribute to a society.

The Center aims to use increased life expectancy to bring about profound advances in the quality of life from early childhood to old age. To inspire change of this scale, the Center works with academic experts, business leaders and policy makers to target important challenges and opportunities for aging societies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among these typically disconnected worlds, the Center aims to develop workable solutions to urgent issues confronting the world as the population ages.

Over 140 Stanford faculty members are Center affiliates. Their research foci include a broad range of topics, including behavioral economics and decision making, age-related changes in cognition, assistive robotics, the potential of stem cells, and technology developments that reduce cost and improve healthcare delivery.

The Center was founded by two of the worlds leading authorities on longevity and aging. Laura Carstensen PhD, is the founding director. A professor of psychology at Stanford, she has won numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, and her research has been supported for more than 20 years by the National Institute on Aging. Thomas Rando MD, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, is deputy director. His research on aging has demonstrated that is possible to identify biochemical stimuli that can induce stem cells in old tissues to repair injuries as effectively as in young tissues. This work has broad implications for the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell transplantation.

Link:
About the Center - Stanford Center on Longevity