A Day in the Life of Hwang Woo-Suk

A Day in the Life of Hwang Woo-Suk

Things are happening in Korea. The Korea Times reported that the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) launched the Korea National Primate Research Center (KNPRC). The Research Center will house a number of primates for research in a variety of experiments, including 50 monkeys that are being bred for stem cell research. According to the article, Hwang plans to use the monkeys to test stem cells that have been differentiated to deal with conditions such as diabetes or spinal cord injury. Hwang is also experimenting with organ transplantation from miniature pigs.

On the same day, Hwang was supposed to meet with the director of Tokyo University’s Human Genome Center, Yasuke Nakamura. The Korean paper Chosunilbo reported that when Hwang arrived for the meeting, he found several reporters waiting for him and “stormed out.” The meeting was organized by the biotech company CrystalGenomics, which has struck a deal with another company founded by Nakamura. Hwang and Nakamura did hold their meeting privately.

Hwang is the Korean scientist who successfully cloned human cells.

California Prop 71 Snippets

California Prop 71 Snippets

This isn’t research news, but if you’re following the politics of last year’s stem cell ballot initiative in California, you may want to read the following pieces to see what’s in the air. In the first piece, Sacramento Bee columnist Stuart Leavenworth discusses the royalty promise made as part of the initiative and brings up issues regarding the taxable status of any royalties. (I blogged on these issues briefly on November 1, “More On California Stem Cell Issues.”) He’s feeling cynical and betrayed. In the second piece, a writer for the student newspaper for the University of California, Davis discusses the lawsuits that are delaying the funding, including a grant to UC Davis.

Stem cell royalty promise just election ruse?

Lawsuits delay Prop. 71 stem-cell funding

If you live in California and are interested in stem cell research, you may already know about these or have seen similar articles. If you don’t live in California and want to start a stem cell institute of your own, take heed and be careful of what you promise with public money.

Researchers Want to Test Stem Cell Spinal Treatment in People

Researchers Want to Test Stem Cell Spinal Treatment in People

The San Jose Mercury News reported today that the California biotech company Geron hopes to begin clinical trials injecting stem cells into damaged spinal cords. (Note: The full article may be available only through free registration to the on-line paper. Because of the number of biotech companies in the San Jose area, the Mercury News often reports on stem cell technology issues.) Geron hopes to get permission from the FDA to begin safety trials next year.

The news was received with concern by some stem cell researchers, who believe that more animal trials are needed. They are worried about the potential for the stem cells to cause cancer or other health problems in the patients. Jerry Silver, a neuroscience professor and stem-cell researcher at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, wanted to see more trials on higher level mammals first and was quoted in the article as saying, “Many treatments that work in rodents to alleviate disease fail miserably in humans.” Other scientists worry that the injuries that the test animals have sustained are not the same as the ones that people might have suffered. There is also concern that the embryonic stem cells might be from the lines which have been contaminated with mouse cells. However, Dr. Irving Weissman, director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, was quoted as saying that he saw no reason for the FDA to turn down Geron’s request or require further testing.

According to the article,

For its test, Geron proposes to turn human embryonic stem cells into the precursors for specialized nerve cells, called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Surgeons then would inject the cells into the spinal injury with the help of a special stabilizing frame the company has developed.

If everything goes as planned, the progenitor cells would help form new axons and also turn into oligodendrocytes, which help form an insulating sheath for the axons, called myelin.

The trials would involve only a few dozen patients and would begin as a safety trial before moving to a therapeutic phase.