Comments on Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research News: Antisense Therapy Improves Lifespan and Motor Func...

Stem Cells: Hope, Hype and Progress The Spinal Co...

2011-10-12T19:01:18.901-05:00

Stem Cells: Hope, Hype and Progress

The Spinal Cord Injury Network held a pilot workshop "Stem Cells: Hope, Hype and Progress" in partnership with the Spinal Injuries Association and Stem Cells Australia in July 2011. More than 80 people attended the event in Brisbane, which brought together health professionals, researchers and people with spinal cord injury. The workshop aimed to update the community on research into cellular therapies and educate them on stem cell tourism.

The workshop sessions were recorded and can be viewed below. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rebeccah Rush most sincerely for giving us permission to play part of Ben Byer's movie "Indestructible" as part of the workshop. Ben's insights on looking for alternatives to fight ALS, including several trips to China, preceded Dr Megan Munsie's presentation "Hopeful journeys."

https://spinalnetwork.org.au/stemcellvideos

12 October 2011 Clean correction of a patient'...

2011-10-12T14:21:35.052-05:00

12 October 2011
Clean correction of a patient's genetic mutation
New gene therapy methods accurately correct mutation in patient's stem cells, bringing personalized cell therapies one step closer
For the first time, scientists have cleanly corrected a human gene mutation in a patient's stem cells. The result,reported in Nature on Wednesday 12 October, brings the possibility of patient-specific therapies closer to becoming a reality.

The team, led by researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge, targeted a gene mutation responsible for both cirrhotic liver disease and lung emphysema. Using cutting-edge methods, they were able to correct the sequence of a patient's genome, remove all exogenous DNA and show that the corrected gene worked normally.

http://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/press/2011/111012.html