In a letter published on May 22nd, a man named Greg equated embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research. The difference could not be more apparent and thus a correction is in order.

Few news stories today present the two types accordingly and instead fail to distinguish the significant differences between the two. It is crucial to understand the difference and the media has perhaps contributed to the confusion today.

The most important distinction to make is that unlike embryonic stem cell treatment, adult stem cell treatment is effective. As a result of adult stem cell research, more than 70 existing medical treatments have been developed. Even one simple treatment has yet to be yielded as a result of embryonic stem cell research.

Contrary to the comments made in Greg’s letter, the statement “great future potential” can be tied exclusively to adult stem cell research, not embryonic.

The second important point to make note of is the ethical nature of adult stem cells. Without causing harm to anyone, the placenta at birth, umbilical cord blood, and other types of non-embryonic tissue, are all sources of adult stem cells. However, without destroying human embryos, embryonic stem cells cannot be obtained.

Responsible for producing the almost bursting biceps of body builders and the wash board abs of fitness fanatics, a new report confirms the existence of some uncommitted stem cells residing amongst those of the muscle. For people that suffer from muscular dystrophies and an assortment of other muscle-wasting diseases, the discovery could show the way to new muscle-regenerating therapies. These would include stem cell-replenishing drugs and cell transplantation regimens. According to researchers, these treatments could also serve a dual purpose by also keeping people strong as they age.

A mix of cells already dedicated to their muscular destiny and other cells that behave more like versatile stem cells make up part of the so called satellite stem cells. The breakthrough was made by an Ottawa Health Research Institute team led by Michael Rudnicki. The cells had commonly been considered by scientists as a homogeneous population of devoted muscle progenitors. In the lab, the regenerative reservoir of cells that mice have was successfully replenished when Rudnicki’s team injected the “satellite stem cells” into the muscles of the mice.

“We’ve found that there are two types of satellite cell–90% that are already committed to becoming muscle and another 10% with characteristics normally attributed to stem cells,” Rudnicki said. “It’s not been shown yet, but these muscle stem cells might even have the capacity to make other tissues, such as bone and fat.”

“We’ve also shown that these satellite stem cells, when transplanted into muscle, can repopulate the regenerative cell niche. This is a very significant advance in our understanding of satellite cell biology that will require us to rethink decades of research. It also opens new avenues for therapeutic treatment of muscular diseases.”

Each of which includes hundreds of nuclei, skeletal muscle fibers are essentially long tubular cells. Satellite cells are found in between the coating of glycoproteins and collagen that surrounds the muscle fiber. Responsible for the repair, growth, and maintenance of skeletal muscle after birth, the existence of satellite cells were first revealed in the 1960’s. When the stress of trauma or weight-bearing presents itself, the cells which are by and large quiet, jump into action.

Still, Rudnicki said that uncertainty still exists in regards to the mechanisms that control the development and identity of the satellite cells. Muscle cells that had changed back into a more primitive state by reverting or dedifferentiating was once thought to be the path that satellite cells followed from their original muscle cell state. This was suggested by earlier studies.

Isolated from mouse muscle, the molecular profiles of the satellite cells was closely observed by researchers in the new study.

Defined by the inactivity or activity of a gene called Myf-5, the satellite cells consist of two classes.

A significant difference in the satellite cells’ behavior was made clear by the genetic difference. A characteristic commonly seen among stem cells, asymmetric division, was observed in the satellite cells without active Myf-5. Exhibiting another Myf-5 positive cell and stem cell-like capacity for self renewal, the lopsided cell division produced one “daughter” like its parent.

The satellite cells continued on the path to becoming muscle tissue when they were injected into the muscles of mice with the Myf-5 switched on.

In contrast, transplantation of Myf-5 negative cells “extensively contributed to the satellite cell reservoir throughout the injected muscle.”

Diseased muscle can be directly transplanted with satellite stem cells. Researchers made this conclusion while noting that the identification of markers enabling their prospective isolation from human muscle tissue could be found in the molecular characterization of satellite stem cells.

“Alternatively,” they added, “understanding the molecular regulation of satellite stem cell symmetric versus asymmetric cell division will lead to identification of biologics or small drugs that specifically target the relevant pathway leading to satellite stem cell expansion.”

Two years ago, Tori suffered brain injury when she was caught up in a car accident. She was left powerless to talk or walk, and her family decided to do anything they could to help her be who she once was. The opted for a trip to China for adult stem cell therapy. It is now three months after her treatment, and 16-year-old Tori can take a cookie out of her father’s hand. A task that would have only been a dream prior to the stem cell treatment.

Tori’s family is not alone with their frustration and impatience towards U.S. scientists. The number of American’s the feel the U.S. is too sluggish in determining whether stem cells are safe and effective is growing, and to get treatment, more are leaving the country as an alternative. Tori’s family chose China because of the limited options in the United States.

Tori’s treatment consisted of acupuncture, aggressive physical therapy, and 50 million adult stem cells which were spread over a course of five injection. The family paid $20,000 in advance for the therapy.

Tori’s father Tim says that it could take up to eight months to see progress. Her last injection was on February 12th. But already her chewing, eating, and swallowing have substantially improved.

The family hopes for even more improvement in Tori, who can now vocalize more and can finish of an entire apple.

Tori was trapped underwater for about 20 minutes when a car she was a passenger in rolled over and ended up in a canal. It was June 2005, and 14 year old Tori had dreams of becoming a Stanford educated doctor. She enjoyed snowboarding and dancing.

Tori’s story has helped other families to make the decision to travel overseas. The website PrayForTori.com prompted at least eight other families to make the decision. On Utah girl who suffered brain injury due to a car accident is currently at the same hospital in China with her family at this very moment.

Tori’s family plans to do another round of stem cells therapy next year.

“It is the thing that will help (Tori) the most eventually, I’m convinced of that,” said Tim, who urges increased funding for research.

“In the end, it’s just going to help so many people. I don’t see how we can not do it.”

Friday, U.S. and British researchers reported that diabetes could be treated by using stem cells taken from the umbilical cords of newborns. The cells could be engineered to produce insulin.

Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are damaged by diabetes. Researchers were able to take stem cells, expand them into a large number, and direct them to be similar to the insulin producing cells. The cells could potentially be used to fill the void left in the pancreas due to the damage that is caused by diabetes.

A stem cell transplant was the final option that a three-year old girl had to save her life. She is now secluded in an isolation unit of the same hospital she received stem cell treatment in.

A worldwide donor search was initiated when Eva was diagnosed with leukemia 5 months ago.

A compatible match was found in the United States, and bone marrow was created using the stem cells from the donor baby

Spanish researchers say that a cure for perianal fistula can be found in a patient’s fat. The stem cells in the fat to be more precise.

According to Damian Garc

The pleas of millions of balding men could soon be answered.

Scientists have revealed for the first time that hair can be grown by coaxing stem cells.

A comb-over, a toupee, or a transplant, is what the 7.4 million balding Britons have to choose from if they are unhappy about the condition of their hair.

But they may have the chance to re-grow their lost hair thanks to advances in stem cell science; all inside of the next decade.

For the condition alopecia where hair falls out in patches, new treatments could result from the latest research as well.

New hair follicles were grown in adult mammals during the course of the study. The results have been published in the journal Nature.

Previously held viewpoints maintained that baldness resulted from the gradual death of hair follicles that were only formed before birth. But the research shows that the tiny structures can be developed by using stem cells later in life. This should open the door for new hair loss treatments.

While studying the wound healing process in mice, researchers made the discovery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Allowing new hair to develop, new hair follicles from beneath the new skin would form as the wound healed.

Capable of turning into different cells and tissues, stem cells were responsible for the formation of the follicles as close examination proved.

Usually only active in the womb, the use of a protein called wnt was imperative to the process. More hair grows as the level of the protein is increased. No hair grows in the absence of wnt.

Wound healing was also enhanced with the addition of wnt. Allowing new and completely functional follicles to form, it is thought that when the skin heals itself, it returns to a condition that is comparable to what is found in the developing fetus.

A similar treatment for humans could be developed. Researchers are confident of this even though all the work has involved only mice thus far.

For a wnt-based drug to be administered, the skin in the area would likely need to be grazed. This is because wounding the area seems to be crucial to the method.

New hair would more than likely need to be dyed to match the color of existing hair because all the hair that has been grown so far has been white. But any cure for baldness should not be expected for at least a decade since a two year wait stands in the way just to begin the first human trials.

Experts have described the breakthrough as “remarkable”.

“Up to now we thought that the number of hair follicles we have is set before we were born and can only go downhill from there,” said Dr. Denis Headon, a developmental biologist from Manchester University.

“This work shows that new hair follicles are made in adult skin, at least when it is healing a wound. The implication is that it might be simpler than we thought to make new hair follicles as a treatment for hair loss.”

A series of injections may be a stand in option for those unwilling to wait for the treatment to come to market. British scientists believe other remedies such as this would appear on the market more quickly.

Aimed at developing cell therapies for lung regeneration and repair, Israeli and UK stem cell specialists announced collaborative efforts today.

Working with clinicians at the UK based Papworth Hospital, the Israeli Gamida Cell and the UK NovaThera Ltd. will combine their expertise and technology. For tissue regeneration and the treatment of blood diseases, Gamida uses proprietary technologies to expand the populations of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells for the development of therapeutics from cord blood. Applications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by applying stem cell biology and bio-materials is the specialty of NovaThera.

Using cord blood stem cells that have been expanded with Gamida

The magical ability of the stem cell has been made popular by media and public controversy. But aside from being familiar with the debate about embryonic versus adult stem cells, few know the tangible facts about stem cells themselves. What makes stem cells so extraordinary, and how do cord blood stem cells fit into the healing puzzle?

All the organ cells in the body are represented by stem cells in some way, shape, and form. It is akin to nature

Based on the body’s own self-healing processes and stem cells, a new alternative therapy for cartilage replacement has been developed by German researchers.

Currently, a culture has to be taken from healthy cartilage. Expanded cells are then re-injected into the area where cartilage has been lost or worn after the culture is expanded in the lab. This multi-step process is time consuming, but the only choice offered at the moment.

The cultivated cartilage cells grow on a sponge-like structure composed of animal collagens. Industrial-grade bovine collagen is used by the doctors for this purpose. The newly transplanted cells need the structure for support.

The practice, which is known as autologous chondrocyte transplanting (or ACT), is rather costly and requires numerous operations. It costs $4,700 to $9,500 (€3,500 to €7,000) just to have the cartilage cultured in a lab. The many factors associated with the procedure can make it prohibitive for many.

A much simpler and less-expensive alternative has now been developed. Based on activating the body’s own healing powers, north German researchers at Lübeck University are responsible for the novel technique.

Micro-fracturing, a method in which doctors drill tiny holes into open bone, is performed in the area where cartilage is worn out. Mesenchymal stem cells are released from bone marrow during the bleeding.

Cut to the shape and size of the lost cartilage, a sponge-like collagen frame is inserted into the location. Doctors then inject a small amount of blood serum from the patient which can coax the mesenchymal stem cells from the bleeding bone and help them turn into cartilage cells. The serum contains a growth factor to assist the process.

No externally grown cells are required as a cartilage-like tissue is developed by the patient’s own cells that join to the sponge.

“What’s funny about this matrix is that it creates a ceiling, and tissue or cells that grow underneath it, cling to it,” said Peter Behrens, who developed the procedure at Lübeck University Clinic. “In this covered area, new tissue grows.”

Clinics in Potsdam, Hanover, Freiburg, and Regensburg, are testing the new procedure which is known as autologous matrix induced chondrogenesis (AMIC).

“The stem cells are in our body,” Beherens said. “That’s what is fascinating about this method; we are activating our own cells.”

Throughout the whole human body, stem cells reside in nearly every nook and cranny. Using bone marrow stem cells to treat conditions such as leukemia, has been a known method for year. Now cartilage defects are also being treated and healed using the same cells.

“Something that needs to be replaced because it degrades over time, but is still good for a few years,” is what Behrens said about the repaired cartilage when comparing it to asphalt.

The procedure has been completed successfully on several hundred patients thus far.

“Our own cartilage is still the best, but this is a replacement that can help us be pain free for five years or so,” Behrens said. “That is the whole idea of these procedures.”

Since the procedure can be repeated every few years, Behrens says that he thinks the useful life of the repair is acceptable. And a prosthetic cartilage injection would be an option for the patients as well if they chose to go that route in the future.