Stem cells: Our body contains stem cells, a pool of cells that have the ability to become any type of cell (i.e. bone, muscle, liver or blood cell, etc.). In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the lung, the brain or the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions. These organs, when damaged, may benefit from exogenous stem cell therapy. Recent evidence suggests that stem cells can repair damaged organs.
Xplore investigates if stem cells, especially cord blood-derived stem cells, can prevent or repair lung damage. This is important for many life-threatening and debilitating lung diseases for which there is currently no treatment. These diseases include: chronic lung disease of prematurity, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema and pulmonary hypertension.
Xplore, in collaboration with experts around the world, shows that cord blood contains a number of reparative cells that can be harnessed to prevent or repair lung damage.
The next step is to bring these discoveries into patients for “Real world application of stem cells”. We are working to provide the evidence that stem cell-based therapies are safe and efficient so that patients can benefit from these new treatments.
Xplore will benefit from a recently awarded Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) grant that will allow the establishment of the Cell and Tissue Innovation Research Centre, a cGMP facility to produce clinical grade stem cell-based therapies for use in patients. Thus, if safe and efficient, discoveries made in Xplore can readily be translated into treatments for patients.
Read More: http://www.rso.ualberta.ca/news.cfm?story=92064
To learn more about stem cells:
http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
