On 8th May 2008, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) has approved 62 projects for funding under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006. “All of the proposals considered by the Commission had already been judged to have high scientific merit, through the scientific peer review processed” said Linda Powers, chairperson of the Commission.

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In their quest to find a new treatment for diabetes, the researches at the Manchester and Sheffield Universities have been able to identify the techniques to turn embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing pancreatic tissue. They will now be able to manipulate the stem cell to produce ‘transcription factor’, a protein, necessary for treatment, confirmed sources. Stem cells have the capacity to transform to any types of cells. This is one reason, that doctors are thinking of stem cells to treat deadly diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s other than diabetes. The number of embryonic stem cells, able to produce insulin-producing pancreatic cells, are very few in number. So, the greatest challenge is to find way to produce much greater number of insulin producing stem cell.

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Three groups of scientists have independently identified two genetic variations in chromosome 15 as a major reason for developing lung cancer. They however hold differing opinion as to whether the variation causes the disease directly or by increasing addiction to cigarettes.

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Bio-heart has finally revealed the data of its seismic trial. It shows that MyoCell Myoblast clinical cell therapy is good way to improve heart problems like cardiac devices and congested heart diseases. Researchers also say that the treatment is a safe one. The research was conducted with 26 patients receiving Myocell therapy, against 14 patients in control group. All of them were patients of heart disease, receiving standard medical treatment. Six month of trial revealed that almost 84% of the patient were improved.

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In a major breakthrough in stem cell research, researchers in Swinbourne University have found that stem cells can be used in various diseases like heart disease, brain damages, creating new organs and even heredity diseases. However researchers also said that they have to find ways to create ideal environment in which the cells can work properly. Researchers are still working on it. Little larger than a microscope slide, the microfluidic chips will contain tiny bioreactors, fed by microfluidic ‘plumbing’ that will supply controlled quantities of nutrients and cell growth factors from on-board reservoirs, mimicking the natural milieu in which stem cells replicate and differentiate into other cell types in the body’s tissues and organs– sources said.

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Stem cells fixed on to tiny scaffolds could help repair the damage in the brains of patients who have suffered a stroke, found UK researchers. However, the technique is yet to be tested on human body, sources said. The research is believed to help patients of the disease and is one of the most talked about topics at the conference in Edinburgh, this week. It is a common cause of death in Scotland as nearly 14,000 people suffer from the disease there. The researchers, from the Institute of Psychiatry in London and Nottingham University, are using neural stem cells derived from aborted rodent fetus to tackle stroke and related damages. These cells are combined with microscopic organic compounds which act as scaffolding to fill in the gaps in the brain caused by stroke.

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The Australian Stem Cell Center (ASCC) today opened a new stem cell research hub at Brisbane, Australia. The research hub will focus in blood and kidney related studies. ASCC chairman said that the hub will be a link for scientists from several places.

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For many years scientists and industry alike have been working to harness the power of the cells for the purpose of restoring and regenerating body systems that have been damaged by disease or injury. This is one of the reasons that drives the researchers of Advanced Cell Technology, (ACT) Inc to study that resulted panels of differentiating human progenitor cell lines from human embryonic stem cell. The research will be published in the April issue of Regenerative Medicine (Vol. 3(3). The ACT Cellerate technologies very likely hasten the translation of human embryonic stem cell-based therapies into safe and effective products for routine clinical practice.

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A team of researchers led by scientists at Cold Spring Harbour laboratory have identified stem cells in the pitutary gland of the mice that helps it grow even after birth. “This gland develops in the embryo, but then has a second growth spurt. After few weeks of their birth, the pituitary undergoes massive expansion due to the presence of the adult stem cells” says Dr. Enikolopov. According to the researchers, this might be the way that, a hormone secreting gland adapt, in adolescence and in adults during time of traumatic stress or to normal life changes like pregnancy.

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At a conference in Edinburgh this week, stem cell researchers have discussed about stem cell treatment of deadly diseases like type 1 diabetes, blindness and Parkinson’s and even heart disease and stroke. Researchers told that stem cell research has so far been successful in treating diseases like cancer and age related blindness. These diseases are caused by the loss of a single type of cell, which researchers hope could be replaced by a stem cell transplant. Researchers told that stem cell research has so far been successful in treating diseases like cancer and age related blindness among the others.

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