![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 22-Dec-2011[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Zenaida Kotala
zenaida.kotala@ucf.edu
407-823-6120
University of Central Florida
New source of stem cell generation pioneered
A process that prompts a single gene to generate millions of supercharged stem cells, which can then turn into any kind of cell a body needs to repair itself, has been patented at the University of Central Florida.
Stem cells have long been regarded as a holy grail of sorts in the medical world, because they hold so much potential for treating and perhaps curing some of the most challenging diseases in our time, such as Alzheimer's,Parkinson's and diabetes.
But a limited supply of stem cells and ethical issues associated with cells from embryonic donors have stalled progress on many fronts. For the past decade, researchers around the world have tried to generate embryonic-like stem cells from adult donors. To achieve stem cells this way, several genes have been required. And many of those genes have been known to trigger cancer. UCF's approach, called Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, minimizes the risk because only one gene (Nanog) is used in the process.
A study described in Science noted that the gene, which had not been used by others, is not linked to cancer. The study can be seen at: http://www.sciencemag.org/site/products/lst_20070420.xhtml
"This technology has the potential of literally changing the entire landscape of regenerative medicine," said Kiminobu Sugaya, the lead researcher and a professor at UCF's College of Medicine. "This technology demonstrates the ability to use a patient's own cells for treatment of a wide range of illness, injury or disease."
Sugaya has been investigating the potential use of stem cells in treating Alzheimer's disease for years. He holds dozens of patents including the one for this iPS technology, which was recently licensed to Progenicyte, an emerging biopharmaceutical company Sugaya founded in 2008. Sugaya and Progenicyte will now begin extensive collaborate efforts to advance this new technology from the lab to the treatment of patients.
With better access to stem cells, scientists may be able to open the body's healing power more quickly, giving Alzheimer, Parkinson, diabetes, cancer and heart disease patients hope that their own cells may help them get rid of these diseases, Sugaya said.
###
CONTACT: Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala, UCF News & Information, 407-82-36120 or zenaida.kotala@ucf.edu
UCF Stands For Opportunity -- The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the second largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Public release date: 22-Dec-2011[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Zenaida Kotala
zenaida.kotala@ucf.edu
407-823-6120
University of Central Florida
New source of stem cell generation pioneered
A process that prompts a single gene to generate millions of supercharged stem cells, which can then turn into any kind of cell a body needs to repair itself, has been patented at the University of Central Florida.
Stem cells have long been regarded as a holy grail of sorts in the medical world, because they hold so much potential for treating and perhaps curing some of the most challenging diseases in our time, such as Alzheimer's,Parkinson's and diabetes.
But a limited supply of stem cells and ethical issues associated with cells from embryonic donors have stalled progress on many fronts. For the past decade, researchers around the world have tried to generate embryonic-like stem cells from adult donors. To achieve stem cells this way, several genes have been required. And many of those genes have been known to trigger cancer. UCF's approach, called Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, minimizes the risk because only one gene (Nanog) is used in the process.
A study described in Science noted that the gene, which had not been used by others, is not linked to cancer. The study can be seen at: http://www.sciencemag.org/site/products/lst_20070420.xhtml
"This technology has the potential of literally changing the entire landscape of regenerative medicine," said Kiminobu Sugaya, the lead researcher and a professor at UCF's College of Medicine. "This technology demonstrates the ability to use a patient's own cells for treatment of a wide range of illness, injury or disease."
Sugaya has been investigating the potential use of stem cells in treating Alzheimer's disease for years. He holds dozens of patents including the one for this iPS technology, which was recently licensed to Progenicyte, an emerging biopharmaceutical company Sugaya founded in 2008. Sugaya and Progenicyte will now begin extensive collaborate efforts to advance this new technology from the lab to the treatment of patients.
With better access to stem cells, scientists may be able to open the body's healing power more quickly, giving Alzheimer, Parkinson, diabetes, cancer and heart disease patients hope that their own cells may help them get rid of these diseases, Sugaya said.
###
CONTACT: Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala, UCF News & Information, 407-82-36120 or zenaida.kotala@ucf.edu
UCF Stands For Opportunity -- The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the second largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/uocf-upo122211.php
eat to live ron paul money bomb ron paul money bomb bon vivant gop debate republican debate zynga ipo
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.