The FDA approved study is the first actual test on human patients suffering from spinal cord injury. This is a major reasearh breakthrough toward the goal of clinical human embryonic stem cell (hESC) treatments comes only 12 years after the discovery of how to isolate human embryonic stem cells was first accomplished.
Stem Cell Reprogramming Breakthrough
An important step forward has been taken in stem cell research. A new process for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) shows great promise in the quest to make regenerative medicine an important tool for the treatment and cure of disease and injury. Even the stem cell researchers who made the discovery agree with NIH director Francis Collins who said this research in no way reduces the importance of comparing the resulting iPS cells to human embryonic stem cells. Previous research has shown that iPS cells retain some memory of their tissue of origin, which may have important implications for their use in therapeutics. To explore these important potential differences, iPS research must continue to be conducted side by side with human embryonic cell research.”
The two links below give the whole story.
Harvard University – Breakthrough in cell reprogramming
Scientists reach a milestone in iPS research
Ruling allows stem cell research to continue during appeal
An appeals court has lifted an injunction imposed by a federal judge, thereby allowing federally funded embryonic stem-cell research to continue while the Obama administration appeals the judge’s original ruling against use of public funds in such research: Read More
Study concludes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Not a Replacement for Embryonic Stem Cells
A study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Children’s Hospital in Boston has shed new light on the properties of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), reporting evidence that they may not be able to replace embryonic stem cells in some research and medical applications. Their conclusion is that research using both types of pluripotent human stem cells is crucial. Read More
Prominent Researchers Published Op-Ed
Ruling puts current and future research at risk
Two of Houston’s leading Stem Cell researchers explain the severe consequences to medical treatment for Texans, Texas research institutions and the Texas economy.
Read the following links for more information:
Houston Chronicle op-ed
Report on economic impact of stem cell research in Texas (pdf file)
Let your federal and state legislators know your opinion: Click on Who Represents Me?
