Cell Line Generation: Embryonic Stem Cell
Functional Genomic Analysis of Chemically Defined Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Regenerative medicine holds the promise that tissues can be engineered in vitro and then transplanted into patients to treat debilitating diseases. Human Embryonic Stem Cells differentiate into a wide array of adult tissue types and are thought to be the best hope for future regenerative therapies. This grant has three main goals: 1. The creation […]
Derivation and characterization of human ES cells from FSHD embryos
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common hereditary muscular dystrophy. It is autosomal dominant, meaning that if one of the parents has the disease, their children have a 50:50 chance of getting it, too. FSHD is characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy of facial, shoulder and upper arm musculature, which can spread to […]
Modeling Parkinson’s Disease Using Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by damage of dopamine-producing nerve cells (DA neuron) in patient brain. The main symptoms of PD are age-dependent tremors (shakiness). There is no cure for PD despite administration of levodopa can help to control symptoms. Most of PD cases are sporadic in the general […]
Development of human ES cell lines as a model system for Alzheimer disease drug discovery
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that currently affects over 4.5 million Americans. By the middle of the century, the prevalence of AD in the USA is projected to almost quadruple. As current therapies do not abate the underlying disease process, it is very likely that AD will continue to be a clinical, […]
The function of YAP in human embryonic stem cells
Embryonic stem cells have the potential to generate all tissue types that could be used for regenerative medicine, such as replacement of damaged neurons, replenish of insulin secreting beta cells, or generation of blood cells. The discovery of in vitro reprogramming of somatic cells (normal cells in our body) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS, […]
Embryonic-Derived Neural Stem Cells for Treatment of Motor Sequelae following Sub-cortical Stroke
A stroke kills brain cells by interrupting blood flow. The most common “ischemic stroke” is due to blockage in blood flow from a clot or narrowing in an artery. Brain cells deprived of oxygen can die within minutes. The loss of physical and mental functions after stroke is often permanent and includes loss of movement, […]
Stem Cell-Derived Astrocyte Precursor Transplants in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a lethal disease lacking effective treatments, is characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. 5-10% of ALS is familial, but the majority of ALS cases are sporadic with unknown causes. The lifetime risk is approximately 1 in 2000. This corresponds to ~30,000 affected individuals in the United States […]
Stem cell based treatment strategy for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Retinal degeneration represents a group of blinding diseases that are increasingly impacting the health and well being of Californians. It is estimated that by 2020, over 450,000 Californians will suffer from vision loss or blindness due to the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of retinal degeneration diseases in the elderly. AMD is […]
Therapeutic immune tolerant human islet-like organoids (HILOs) for Type 1 Diabetes
Research Objective Development of immune tolerant human islet-like organoids for transplantation into diabetic patients. Impact Our proposal will progress the development of an unlimited, reproducible source of immune tolerant engineered islets for transplantation into Type I diabetics. Major Proposed Activities Demonstrate efficacy of immune tolerant HILOs in humanized diabetic mice Demonstrate safety of immune tolerant […]
Identification and characterization of the optimal human neural stem cell line (hNSC) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) 2.0.
Research Objective We propose to discover the optimal human neural stem cell candidate for traumatic brain injury. 4 hNSC products (2 ES derived & 2 fetal) will be compared with TBI/vehicle controls, & then each other. Impact Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects more Americans than brain, breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer combined ! There […]