Imperial Party forum

thomas davison

Printed human organs for testing and transplantation
Date: 04 Feb 2013
Printed human organs for testing and transplantation

A specialised 3D printing process, using human stem cells, could pave the way to purpose-built replacement organs for patients, eliminating the need for organ donation, immune suppression and the problem of transplant rejection.

The process, developed at Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with Roslin Cellab, takes advantage of the fact that stem cells can now be grown in laboratory conditions from established cell lines, could also speed up and improve the process of drug testing by growing three-dimensional human tissues and structures for pharmaceuticals to be tested on.
New valve-based technique

A range of human stem cell cultures can now be grown, generation after generation, in laboratory conditions. Those cultures developed from cells from areas like bone marrow or skin are hardier but less flexible than those developed from embryonic material. While 3D printing of the tougher cell cultures has been achieved before, the new valve-based technique developed by Dr Will Shu and his colleagues at Heriot-Watt's Biomedical Microengineering group are the first to print the more delicate embryonic cell cultures, which have an ability to replicate indefinitely and differentiate into almost any cell type in the human body.

Dr Shu said, �To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that these cells have been 3D printed. The technique will allow us to create more accurate human tissue models which are essential to in vitro drug development and toxicity-testing. Since the majority of drug discovery is targeting human disease, it makes sense to use human tissues.

�In the longer term, we envisage the technology being further developed to create viable 3D organs for medical implantation from a patient�s own cells, eliminating the need for organ donation, immune suppression and the problem of transplant rejection.�

Dr Shu's team are working with Roslin Cellab, a leading stem cell technology company. The company has a good track record of applying new technologies to human stem cell systems and will take the lead in developing 3D stem cell printing for commercial uses. Initially this will be in the areas of novel drug-testing products but in the longer term there is the goal of growing purpose-built replacement organs.
Valuable long-term implications

Jason King, business development manager of Roslin Cellab, said, "This world-first printing of human embryonic stem cell cultures is a continuation of our productive partnership with Heriot-Watt. Normally laboratory grown cells grow in 2D but some cell types have been printed in 3D. However, up to now, human stem cell cultures have been too sensitive to manipulate in this way.

"This is a scientific development which we hope and believe will have immensely valuable long-term implications for reliable, animal-free drug-testing and, in the longer term to provide organs for transplant on demand, without the need for donation and without the problems of immune suppression and potential organ rejection

The UK has come up with 3 good ideas over the last couple of months this one, carbon capture and hydrogen generation, these alone could give us mass employment in this country.
But what will happen to them, they will be given away to our American friends who will sell them back to us later on at huge profit.
If these GAY MARRIAGE lovers we have in power would do their job instead of selling our country down the river to line their friends and their own pockets we would be a solvent, healthy, working and rich nation.
WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS COUNTRY, WE HAVE NONE.

thomas davison · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:33 am Post subject:

'Natural' drug could offer long-lasting arthritis relief by 'rebooting' immune system

Researchers developed protein modelled on the body's own defences
Protein is body's normal anti-inflammatory response
Insufficient quantities found in the joints of those with rheumatoid arthritis

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 03:23, 8 February 2013 | UPDATED: 07:41, 8 February 2013

Work by the team indicates that giving an intravenous dose will quickly boost a patient�s anti-inflammatory response

A single dose of a new drug could �reboot� the immune system of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, say researchers.

They have developed a protein agent modelled on the body�s own natural defences to combat the inflammation that can destroy joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 400,000 adults, causing joint pain and swelling, stiffness, fatigue, and disability. At least 1,000 Britons a year have to give up work because of the condition.

Researchers from King�s College London and clinicians from Guy�s and St Thomas� NHS Foundation Trust, London, are to start the first human trial of BiP � binding immunoglobulin protein � involving up to 50 patients.

The protein is part of the body�s normal anti-inflammatory response, but it is found in insufficient quantities in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis to have a therapeutic effect.

Previous work by the team indicates that giving an intravenous dose will quickly boost a patient�s anti-inflammatory response.

A single infusion appears to �reset� their immune system and may give a long lasting effect.

Gabriel Panayi, professor emeritus of rheumatology at King�s College London, and honorary consultant rheumatologist at Guy�s and St Thomas, said: �If BiP works as we expect then a single dose should be sufficient to put patients into remission for months.

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�The most important thing is that our patients will have a better quality of life for longer. As a bonus, they should need fewer appointments which will free up valuable healthcare resources.�
health

New lease of life! A single infusion appears to �reset� their immune system and may give a long lasting effect

Each year approximately 800,000 appointments are needed for existing patients, and about 80,000 for new patients.

Dr Valerie Corrigall of King�s College London said: �This trial is the culmination of 15 years of work � it�s very exciting to be at this stage.

�Using patients� own immune system to help protect against the disease is a new approach to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

�As well as being a very promising therapy, we�ve purposefully designed BiP to be more cost effective than biologic therapies which work well but are extremely expensive.�

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK charity, which is funding the two-year trial, said: �We�re very excited that the culmination of several years of support has resulted in a potential new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

�This work is an example of where research funded by Arthritis Research UK has been translated into a possible new treatment that could come into clinical care within a reasonable time frame.�

Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in older people it also affects many people of working age.�

More good news from the UK, WHEN WILL OUR GAY GOVERNMENT START TO HELP THESE PEOPLE AND MAKE JOBS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE AGAIN.