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The Testis: a source of stem cells for all men? Could the newly discovered “testis stem cells” be as versatile as embryonic stem cells? Bedford is launching a major research initiative to find out.

A major barrier to progress in stem cell avoid the rejection that occurs if therapies is that, similar to organ transferred cells are not a perfect tissue transplantation, the body rejects cells match to the patient’s own cells. that are not a good match for the patient. Surprisingly, stem cells from testis may Dr. Martin Dym’s research team at $280k offer a solution. In 2008, a German team Georgetown University estimates reported that they successfully derived approximately 1 in 100,000 testis stem $250K pluripotent stem cells from adult mouse cells may be pluripotent. For several $200k testis. Because of their unique ability to decades, it has been known that sperm become any type of cell in the body, are abundantly produced (billions per $150k pluripotent stem cells hold the promise of week) in the adult male testis for life, cures to many conditions, from diabetes and that the sperm arise from “sperm $136k to spinal cord diseases. Then in 2009, stem cells” termed spermatogonia. two U.S. research teams discovered However, the new reports indicate that $100k pluripotent stem cells in human testis. in addition to the spermatogonia, there $50k are pluripotent stem cells in the testis. To If pluripotent stem follow up these exciting reports, Bedford $0 cells can be derived Research scientists have launched a new from every human research initiative to answer several testis, it could launch a important questions: (1) Can stem cells

Mouse Testis new era in stem cell be derived from the testis of all men? Stem Cells research. (2) How stable are the testis stem cells in Help Us Reach Our Goal long term culture? (3) Can they prove Stem cells derived from human testis useful to treat spinal cord diseases, such As of November 2010, the Foundation could help overcome two of the biggest as injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has raised $136,000 towards this project. barriers to stem cell therapies. First, and multiple sclerosis? (4) Can they We need $280,000 to get started, and a these cells could avoid the controversies prove useful to cure HIV disease? total of $550,000 to complete the two- of using human eggs and embryos for year study. Please help us meet our goal research. Second, these cells could solve to pursue this promising research - the need for patient-specific stem cells to visit: www.bedfordresearch.org

MORE NEWS INSIDE FALL 2010 - WINTER 2011

Workshop in Taiwan Q&A with the New steps toward a The 2010 Activated New Work on Prostate Foundation scientists Foundation Director stem cell cure for HIV Egg Symposium Cancer get a rare look inside What is the state of Retooling cancer Dr. Ivar Mendez talks Finding the genes for Taiwan’s premiere stem cell research at therapy to use HIV- about delivering stem prostate cancer. stem cell institute. the Foundation? resistant bone marrow. cells to the brain. New Steps Toward a Stem The 2010 Activated Egg Symposium Cell Cure for HIV: Nov 5, 2010: The eighth annual Geron Corp., who will speak on the Promising Treatment symposium will be co-hosted by Dr. first FDA approved clinical trial for Ann Kiessling and Dr. Gary Stein, stem cell therapy. The trial's focus is March, 2009: A proof- University of Massachusetts Medical acute spinal cord injury. Hamilton of-concept report from School. The 2010 keynote will be Dr. Thorne is proud to help sponsor the German scientists Ivar Mendez, Head of Neurosurgery, 2010 Symposium. demonstrated that Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova HIV-infected cells Scotia, Canada. Dr. Mendez will could be eliminated speak on the new methods he is from the body using bone-marrow developing for delivering stem cells transplantation. At the time of this to the brain and the spinal cord. The report, it seemed unlikely that sufficient 2010 Keynote: Ivar Mendez, MD, PhD dinner speaker will be Dr. Ed Wirth, bone marrow would be available for these types of transplants. But now, developments in stem cell science may Workshop have changed that: First, the possibility of deriving stem in Taiwan cells that are patient-specific, e.g. from April, 2010, BSCRF co-sponsored the Kiessling, Dr. Wise Young and, Dr. Tzu- testis (see front page) will eliminate the International Conference of Stem Cells and Yung Chen. In addition to funding need to use bone marrow cells from Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative needs, the group described the need for bone marrow banks. Diseases at the Tzu Chi Medical Center in appropriate regulatory guidelines that Second, the methods for developing Taiwan. both protect patients and allow the work bone marrow cells from pluripotent to go forward as quickly as possible in Research & Therapy in Practice stem cells have greatly advanced in the most countries, including India, Japan, past two years. Foundation scientists and visiting guests China, Canada and the U.S. took a rare look inside Taiwan’s premiere Third, the method for silencing specific stem cell institute and shared research genes in human cells (a step necessary and best practices. to block the HIV receptor) has also greatly advanced in the past two years. Over 20 talks were given by surgeons, Taken together, it is now theoretically basic researchers and neuroscientists. Dr. Ann A. Kiessling, Dr. Wise Young and, Dr. Tzu- possible for scientists to develop and (videos at SpinalCordWorkshop.org) Yung Chen moderated the lively discussion The goal of the meeting, as in past between surgeons and basic scientists test this method within 5 to 8 years. Bedford Spinal Cord Workshops, was to share vital information across disciplines Foundation Publication and to discuss the barriers to curing spinal cord injury. Dr. Ed Wirth, Geron Circadian Rhythms and Cell Division Corporation, reported on progress in the June, 2010: The second report by Bedford scientists first U.S. Food and Drug Administration about cell division appeared, as the cover story of the approved trial for stem cell therapy on JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND acute spinal cord injury. Dr. Wise Young GENETICS. The work builds on the previous report reported on progress in similar trials of CLOCK genes that indicate early stem cells may be planned for China and the U.S. under the control of circadian rhythms (see report at Universal Barriers to Cure bedfordresearch.org). These novel findings about controls on cell multiplication will be used in the The conference wrapped-up with a derivation of testis stem cells to attempt to improve Round Table Discussion & Concluding the efficiency and stability of new stem cell lines. Remarks, moderated by Dr. Ann A. 2 THE BEDFORD STEM CELL RESEARCH FOUNDATION Studies launched to detect Palermo and Dr. Alan Handyside. The Q: Why do patients need their own stem cells? genes expressed by men award highlights Dr. Kiessling’s nearly A: The clinical trials that have provided 3 decades of research in assisting with prostate cancer “proof-of-principle” for cell-based therapies, infertile couples, most recently those e.g. transplantation of pancreatic cells for October, 2010: Dr. Robert Eyre presented living with HIV disease. Learn more at: diabetes, have revealed that although some recent prostate cancer work by Bedford www.sementesting.org cells function normally, many fail because Foundation Scientists the transferred cels are rejected as “foreign.” at the New England 2010 ISSCR The same is true for transplanted bone chapter of the June, 2010: Bedford marrow in cancer therapies. If the stem cells American Urologic Research Foundation were the patient’s own (i.e. patient-specific), Association. Dr. Eyre sponsored a booth at they would not be rejected. has studied diseases of the annual meeting the male genitourinary Robert Eyre, MD Q: Why do Bedford scientists work with of the International Society of Stem Cell tract with Bedford parthenote and testis stem cells? Research in San Francisco. The booth Research scientists for over 20 years. attracted many visitors to its A: Parthenote stem cells are derived from unfertilized human eggs, not embryos. The current work is focused on information about parthenote stem cells, Parthenote stem cells behave like embryonic developing improved early detection testis stem cells, circadian control of the stem cells in the laboratory, multiplying to tests for prostate cancer by taking cell cycle, and other Bedford Research the trillions needed for therapy, either for the advantage of technology developed to programs. egg donor herself, or for tissue-matched detect infectious diseases in semen, such patients. Testis stem cells offer the as HIV and bacteria. Applying whole Q & A possibility of deriving stem cells for every genome microarrays, Drs. Kiessling and man in need, if they can be encouraged to Eyre have launched studies to detect WITH THE DIRECTOR multiply to the trillions possible with which genes are over-expressed or ABOUT STEM CELL parthenote stem cells. under-expressed in semen specimens RESEARCH AT THE FOUNDATION Ann Kiessling, PhD from men with and without prostate Q: How does Bedford Stem Cell cancer. Q: Has Obama’s Policy Helped Fund Research Foundation fund its research? Stem Cell Research? The recent work identified 6 genes A: By private donations. The Foundation’s under-detected and 9 genes over- A: President Obama’s executive order to licensed clinical laboratory conducts highly detected in cancer semen specimens. rescind the restrictions on the number of specialized fee-for-service tests which cover The research needs to be confirmed in a stem cell lines that could be studied with the costs of the laboratory infrastructure. larger series of study subjects. federal funds was valuable for some studies, This allows research activities to proceed but as long as the Dickey-Wicker with minimal overhead. The lack of Gabbay Award amendment controls federal funds, the dependence on federal dollars also frees the Foundation from the administrative costs of Dr. Ann Kiessling received the Gabbay development of stem cells from unfertilized separate accounting practices required by the award in Biotechnology and Medicine in eggs, a prime goal of Bedford Research Dickey-Wicker amendment. November 2009 along with Dr. Gianpero scientists, cannot be federally funded.

Board of Trustees Ethics Advisory Board

Alan S. Geismer, Esq. Chairman Sean Kealy, Esq. Arthur Applbaum, PhD, Chairman Robert D. Truog, MD Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen Boston University School of Law Prof. of Ethics and Public Policy Prof of Medical Ethics and Pediatrics, Kennedy School of Government Children's Hospital, John D. Lee, MEd Extension Education Jose Cibelli, DVM, PhD Stanley J. Bodner, MD Daniel Wikler, PhD, Alan Mayer, AIA Prof. of Animal Biotechnology, Infectious Disease Specialist Prof. of Ethics and Public Health, Principal Architect, Mayer & Associates Michigan State University Harvard School of Public Health Kenneth A. Burry, MD, Susan L. Moss, JD, PhD Prof of Obstetrics and Gynocology Lawrence R. Jones, Director of Equity & Diversity, CEO, Jones Marketing Services Health Sciences University Scientific Committee Anil Purohit, PhD, Norman Daniels, PhD, Carol M. Warner, PhD, Chairman Programs for AIDS Testing and Awareness Robert L. Kaufmann, MD, Prof. of Ethics & Public Health, Prof. of Biology, Emeritus, Northeastern Reproductive Endocrinologist Margaret S. Wray, BSN, Psychiatric Nurse Harvard School of Public Health University

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News Inside

1 New Stem Cells Found in Testis

The 2010 Spinal Cord 2 Workshop in Taiwan

3 The 2010 Activated Egg Symposium 4 A Stem Cell Cure for HIV?

Prostate Cancer, new methods 5 of early detection

BEDFORD STEM CELL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

THE BSCRF 2010-2011 INITIATIVE

As of November 2010, Stem Cells from Testis the Foundation has Could newly discovered testis stem cells raised $136,000 toward this project -- be as versatile as embryonic stem cells? look inside to see how Bedford is launching a major research you can help! initiative to find out.

FOUNDED IN 1996, BEDFORD STEM CELL RESEARCH FOUNDATION IS A BIOMEDICAL INSTITUTE THAT EXISTS TO CONDUCT STEM CELL AND RELATED RESEARCH FOR DISEASES AND CONDITIONS THAT CURRENTLY HAVE NO EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TREATMENT OR CURE. WWW.BEDFORDRESEARCH.ORG

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