|
|
Canada's first two human embryonic stem cell lines developed
Jun 9, 2005, 18:08, Reviewed by: Dr.
|
|
"Having our own cell lines gives Canadian researchers access to a valuable research tool. These two lines will be shared with scientists all over Canada and with the scientific community at large. They are a valuable contribution to stem cell research on a global scale,"
|
By University of Toronto ,
A senior scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital has developed Canada's first two human embryonic stem cell lines, giving researchers across the country new potential and hope for eventually discovering treatments and cures for many chronic and fatal diseases.
"My hope � and the hope of my world-class laboratory team � is that our step of developing the first Canadian embryonic stem cell lines will ultimately bring Canada and the world closer to treating or curing diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes and spinal cord injuries," said Dr. Andras Nagy, a researcher at Mount Sinai's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute.
"Our research remains in an early phase but the ability of these cells to develop into any kind of function cells in adult bodies holds enormous promise for these cells to regenerate damaged tissues that cause incurable diseases."
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC) determined that Dr. Nagy derived these new stem cells lines in a manner consistent with the Stem Cell Guidelines.
The two cell lines have since been submitted to, and approved by, the International Stem Cell Initiative (ISCI). The use of the two new lines in Canada will be directed by the Stem Cell Network. The McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine at the University of Toronto contributes to the support of a human embryonic stem cell core facility.
The stem cell lines will be freely available to the Canadian scientific community and will enable Canadian scientists to research potential treatments for a variety of diseases.
"Having our own cell lines gives Canadian researchers access to a valuable research tool. These two lines will be shared with scientists all over Canada and with the scientific community at large. They are a valuable contribution to stem cell research on a global scale," said Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Scientific Director of the Stem Cell Network. 
- University of Toronto, Canada
www.utoronto.ca
Dr. Nagy is a senior scientist at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He is also a professor in the department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto. In 1974 Dr. Nagy completed his B.A. (M.A.) in Mathematics and in 1979 completed his Ph.D. in Genetics both at Lorand E�tv�s University Budapest. Dr. Nagy currently holds the Canadian Institute of Health Records Senior Scientist Award 2002-2007.
About The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute:
Established in 1985, the SLRI at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto is one of the world's leading centres for biomedical research. The Institute is part of Mount Sinai Hospital, an internationally recognized 440-bed acute care academic health centre affiliated with the University of Toronto. SLRI has 513 research, administrative and support staff, 100,000 square feet of laboratory space and a 25,000-square-foot pre-clinical research lab. For more information about SLRI research, visit http://www.mshri.on.ca
About Mount Sinai Hospital:
Mount Sinai Hospital is recognized nationally and internationally for its excellence in the provision of compassionate patient care, teaching and research. Its key priority programs are Women's and Infants' Health, Surgical Subspecialties and Oncology, Internal Medicine and Subspecialties, and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. It is a University of Toronto-affiliated patient care, teaching and research centre. Visit http://www.mtsinai.on.ca for more information about Mount Sinai Hospital.
About the Stem Cell Network:
The Stem Cell Network is a collaboration of more than 70 leading scientists, clinicians, engineers and ethicists, working together to harness the extraordinary potential of stem cells. The Network, which is based at the University of Ottawa, is one of Industry Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence, Canada's flagship science and technology program. For more information, visit www.stemcellnetwork.ca
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
