News

Mayo Clinic to co-host 2013 World Stem Cell Summit in San Diego

The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) has announced details of the 9th annual World Stem Cell Summit - the largest and most comprehensive multi-track interdisciplinary stem cell conference aimed at uniting the global stem cell community and accelerating cures. Mayo Clinic, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have joined GPI to organize the summit, which will be held at the Hilton Bayside San Diego, December 4-6, 2013.

Read more on the Advancing the Science blog.

First-in-humans study introduces next generation cell therapy

Translating a Mayo Clinic stem-cell discovery, an international team has demonstrated that therapy with cardiopoietic (cardiogenically-instructed) or "smart" stem cells can improve heart health for people suffering from heart failure. This is the first application in patients of lineage-guided stem cells for targeted regeneration of a failing organ, paving the way to development of next generation regenerative medicine solutions. Results of the clinical trial appear online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Read the full news release and watch a video describing the research:

A piece of his heart — from cells in his arm

Bill Weir's recent "Nightline" report was inspired by a previous visit to Mayo?s Transplant Center when he stopped at the lab of Timothy Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Todd and Karen Wanek Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Here, Weir learned of a new discovery that could one day replace transplants for some patients with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS.

Dr. Timothy Nelson and the entire Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for HLHS team are currently using the technology shown in his video below, in conjunction with genetics research and clinical research, to gain insight into Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and to ultimately develop innovative treatment options for people with HLHS.

2012 World Stem Cell Summit

The 8th Annual World Stem Cell Summit was held Dec. 3-5, 2012, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The event was an opportunity for leading academic institutions — together with leaders in research, business, advocacy, finance, law and ethics ? to learn about the latest research, challenges in translational medicine, and future areas of promise in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

Visit the Advancing the Science blog to view a summary of the Center for Regenerative Medicine's time at the event, including tweets, photos and videos.

Stem cells "get hip"

Stem cells are the starting point for all the tissues in your body. Your body grows them all the time, so Mayo Clinic researchers are putting them to work healing damaged tissues such as heart muscle or bone.

Stem cells 101

Stem cells and their use in regenerative medicine have been in the media a lot lately. But, what exactly does it mean? Physicians and researchers in the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic say it has to do with developing completely new ways to treat and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and degenerative nerve, bone and joint conditions.

Mayo Clinic is at the forefront of regenerative medicine

In fall 2012, the Rochester Post-Bulletin featured a series of stories about regenerative medicine efforts in the community:

• Mayo Clinic is at the forefront of regenerative medicine
• Regeneration is 'next generation' of treatment
• Regenerative medicine may transform transplants
• Making Rochester a regenerative medicine hub
• Regenerative medicine: Hope for the future