Gene-Sequence Swap Using CRISPR to Cure Hemophilia
As seen in Science Daily – July 23, 2015
Source: Institute for Basic Science
Summary:
For the first time, chromosomal defects responsible for hemophilia have been corrected in patient-specific iPSCs using CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases. Hemophilia A occurs in about 1 in 5,000 male births and almost half of severe cases are caused by identified “chromosomal inversions.” In a chromosomal inversion, the order of the base pairs on the chromosome are reversed so the gene doesn’t express …
Stem Cell Therapy for Pediatric Stroke:Clinical Trial Launched
as seen in BioInsights
In News by Sarah Freeston
The efficacy of autologous stem cell therapy for children who have been diagnosed as having a prenatal or perinatal stroke is being tested in an FDA-regulated clinical trial, it has been announced. The hope is that the stem cells will help to repair to damage caused by the stroke and ease the often debilitating symptoms.
The launch news came from Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®), the world’s …
NCER states position on use of CRISPR/Cas-9
Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research encourages the continued use of CRISPR/Cas-9 in animal research and in adult human cell cultures as a means toward it’s eventual safe and efficacious use for the correction of disease genes in adult human beings.
NCER agrees with the calls for a self-imposed moratorium and an international meeting on the use of CRISPR/Cas-9 for germline genetic engineering on human embryos or human germ cells.
However, regardless of the outcome of …
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Jun
A guide to CRISPR, the human gene-editing tool that has scientists excited — and terrified
We are now one step closer to designer babies. Using a technique called CRISPR, geneticists in China recently modified the DNA of nonviable human embryos and published the results in the journal Protein & Cell.
Editing the genetic material of human embryos was a first — and the April 18 publication of the results set off a cascade of awe and controversy.
“While these embryos will not be growing up into genetically modified people,” …
NHS to give volunteers ‘synthetic blood’ made in laboratory within two years
as seen in THE INDEPENDENT
- SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2015
The first attempt at giving human volunteers “synthetic blood” made in a laboratory for the first time will take place within the next two years, the NHS has announced.
…
Gene, stem cell therapies may have far-reaching implications for coronary artery grafts
As seen in Science Daily – June 9, 2015
Source:Creighton University
Summary:Researchers are exploring the potential for gene and stem cell therapy in coronary artery bypass grafts to prevent re-occlusion in the grafted vein. Based on animal studies, the team is seeing a marked improvement in preventing re-occlusion, with no side effects
A Creighton University researcher has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study the effects of gene and stem cell therapy in …
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Jun
Help NCER Reach Our Goals
Please help Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research (NCER) continue to grow and advance our statewide advocacy for biomedical research that promotes the life, dignity and rights of every human being regardless of their developmental stage.
NCER has been chosen to participate in this years’ Omaha Gives! fundraising event. Omaha Gives! is a 24-hour online giving event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation to grow philanthropy in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties. The goal is to …
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May
Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research recommends that the FDA deny licensure for the use of mitochondrial techniques in U.S. fertility clinics or research laboratories
At the end of last month the Board of Directors sent the following letter to the FDA with our position on the use of multi-parent embryos.
27 March 2015
Attn: Michael Berrios
The Committee on Ethical and Social Policy Considerations of Novel Techniques for Prevention of Maternal Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Diseases
Keck Center
500 Fifth St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Committee Members:
There are at least five reasons why the Board of Directors …
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Apr
Apr
Amniotic stem cells demonstrate healing potential
Rice University and Texas Children’s Hospital scientists are using stem cells from amniotic fluid to promote the growth of robust, functional blood vessels in healing hydrogels.
In new experiments, the lab of bioengineer Jeffrey Jacot combined versatile amniotic stem cells with injectable hydrogels used as scaffolds in regenerative medicine and proved they enhance the development of vessels needed to bring blood to new tissue and carry waste products away.
The results appear in the Journal …
Drugs that activate brain stem cells may reverse multiple sclerosis
For Immediate Release: Monday, April 20, 2015
NIH-funded study identifies over-the-counter compounds that may replace damaged cells
Two drugs already on the market — an antifungal and a steroid — may potentially take on new roles as treatments for multiple sclerosis. According to a study published in Nature today, researchers discovered that these drugs may activate stem cells in the brain to stimulate myelin producing cells and repair white matter, which is damaged in multiple …