Earlier in January, we examined about the myriad of stem cells in existence, from controversial embryonic stem cells, to therapeutic adipose derived stem cells, and the unfamiliar cord blood stem cells. One type of stem cell we didn't divulge into are the 'other' stem cells or, mesenchymal stem cells(MSC). These multipotent stem cells - meaning they share the same ability as embryonic stem cells & adult stem cells to differentiate into other cell types - are most commonly found in bone marrow. So it's no surprise they primarily belong to our skeletal tissues, like cartilage, bone, and fat. Unlike members of the stem cell community, scientists are still learning & understanding how MSCs can best be utilized, particularly in treatment for bone or cartilage disease. It's the only stem cell type that has no scientific basis [...]

Stem cells, due to their versatility and ability to differentiate into any cell, are used for a variety of applications. They're being tested in scientific experiments ranging from facilitating the growth of lab-grown organs to understanding diseases and debilitations like Parkinson's, or even permanent blindness. Our own clinics employ stem cells via injection therapy & regenerative medicines to stimulate healing, as well as tissue and muscle regeneration, utilizing the body's own self-healing properties. But this clinic in India is manipulating stem cell therapy in a way that isn't being done anywhere else in the world - and maybe for good reason. AN EXTRA CHROMOSOME 21 Nutech Mediworld clinic claims they're using stem cells to treat Down's syndrome, the most common chromosomal condition in existence. A permanent, incurable disease, the clinic says they've treated up to 14 people to date. [...]

When it comes to stem cells, stem cell research, or stem cell technology, they're about as popular & mainstream as the frullet (you know, the mullet's arch nemesis). Over the past few weeks, we've examined an abundance of fascinating stem cell breakthroughs that should get more attention in the media & public spheres. Unfortunately, due to the ever-present controversy that surrounds stem cells and its sciences, it'll never get the same limelight as the size of Jay-Z's family, or who The Governator will terminate off the next Apprentice. For example, when Donald Trump became the next POTUS, it presented a potential wave of changes for the stem cell community & its researchers but all we heard about was that dumb wall. In early December, the 21st Century Cures Act radically shifted the stem cell research field with an [...]

Remember back in mid-August when we foretold - okay, read online somewhere - that animal-human stem cell 'chimera' research was just around the corner? (See, we did say that.) Well, it took scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies just five months to take advantage of The National Institutes of Health's (NIH) lifted moratorium on stem cell experimentation, creating the world's first human-pig hybrid embryo. The embryo, which contains cells from the two-genetically unique species, is a giant first (and controversial) step towards growing human organs in non-human hosts for transplantation. THE NEED FOR ORGANS Every ten minutes, another name is added to the U.S.'s national waiting list of organ transplants. And each day, 22 people on the list are crossed off - not because they received a successful transplant, but from death due [...]

For all the unthinkable superpowers Spiderman possesses - wall-crawling ability, 'spider-sense', enhanced speed & strength - the webbed warrior's signature web-slinging mechanics are comparatively underwhelming. With all due respect to genius creator Stan Lee, was it too much to ask for Spidey to synthesize and shoot his patented silk biologically? We mean, realism and authenticity aren't exactly the foundations of comic book tales. But Spiderman is a decent hero all things considered, sticking it to villains all while maintaining that 'friendly neighbourhood' vibe. Plus, no one dies or gets injured on his watch (...except the people of New York. And Uncle Ben). So imagine how much better of a superhero he'd be if his silk-slinging could be used for more than hanging criminals upside down - what if it could be used to heal [...]

Stem cell treatments hold tremendous hope for the future of biomedicine. Experts have identified stem cell therapies as our best bet to remedy an array of degenerative conditions that are considered untreatable. The problematic hurdle that's foiling the effectiveness of these treatments is navigating the logistics of keeping those stem cells alive long enough to make a long-lasting impact. But we could be making headway in that regard. Researchers from the Buck Institute have seemingly solved the pluripotent puzzle, reporting long-term restoration of vision in blind mice via stem cell regenerative therapies. Publishing their findings in Cell Stem Cell, the Buck team used transplanted photoreceptors, taken from human stem cells, to block the immune response that rejects transplanted cells by the recipient, buying time for the stem cells to go to work. IMPROVING STEM CELL THERAPIES Not [...]

Not only are stem cells a source of effective treatment for an array of ailments, but a source of hope too. The potential upside of employing stem cell research to combat some of the deadliest diseases of our time - Parkinson's, diabetes, heart disease, and more - remains a beacon of light for people suffering from such conditions. But stem cell technology, no matter the intent, has always been the subject of controversy. In spite of these moral objections - particularly the harvesting of embryonic stem cells (ESC), in the eyes of those who support life from inception - results from clinical trials involving stem cells is encouraging. And who can blame stem cell scientists? The allure of stem cells to work like an internal repair system, continuously dividing and renewing through cell division, [...]

For the past four years, Sammy Jo Wilkinson has battled her secondary progressive multiple sclerosis back to remission. Utilizing stem cell therapy, Wilkinson no longer suffers from paralysis in her face, or the numbness in her fingers. Her stem cell treatments have been so effective, she even walked for the first time in years last February. "I'm living in a future that everybody will have some day," says Wilkinson. "We're trying to tell everybody the solution is here now; we just need a logical way to bring this to patients sooner rather than later." And that logical way may've been illuminated in early December with Congress agreeing to the 21st Century Cures Act. The labyrinthine, 1,000-page bill will make critical changes in how regenerative medicine & treatments are tested, and then brought to market. [...]

No one besides Donald Trump and his advisors could've predicted the jaw-dropping results of the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. The reality show personality-turned-politician managed to defy polls, predictions, and the public's perception to secure the 270 electoral votes needed to oust 'favourite' Senator Hilary Clinton. The question of 'who will be the next POTUS?' was answered, but ironically, created more waves of uncertainty and confusion. The stock markets were a perfect example: when it was all but guaranteed Trump would become the 45th president of the United States, the DOW Futures and other important stocks futures were in constant flux, for fear of 'Trump trades' on the horizon. Financial industries aren't the only ones anxious about what a Trump presidency may hold. Scientists particularly those working in stem cell research fields are uneasily waiting [...]