Monday, September 21, 2009

JOHNS HOPKINS LAUNCHES STEM CELL WEB DOCUMENTARY

Multi-media Production Dovetails with 2009 World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore.

September 21, 2009- Johns Hopkins Medicine, a co-host of the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit, is telling a comprehensive stem cell story via a new interactive Web site http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stem_cell_research/ on which its researchers and clinicians collectively describe their explorations into stem cell biology and engineering.

The production, which launches today, emphasizes applications of stem cell technologies in regenerative medicine and underscores the collaborative effort that is fundamental to translational research.

Highlights of the site include everything from a narrated timeline of stem cell research to a video feature of a Hopkins patient, physician and bench scientist who are linked by stem cell research as it relates to Parkinson’s Disease.

Hopkins experts also weigh in on state-of-the-art issues of ethics and safety as they apply to stem cells.

The World Stem Cell Summit, which takes place Sept. 21-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center, brings together more than 100 speakers—governors, federal officials, top researchers and scientists— who will present and discuss new federal stem cell policies, scientific breakthroughs and human interest stories to an audience of more than 1,200 experts from more than 25 countries and across the United States.

Speakers include: Linzhao Cheng, Ph.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering; Chi V. Dang, M.D., Ph.D., vice dean for research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Valina Dawson, Ph.D., professor, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Physiology, Institute for Cell Engineering; Jennifer Elisseeff, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical engineering, Johns Hopkins University.

Also speaking: Richard J. Jones, M.D., professor of oncology and medicine, director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program and co-director of the Hematologic Malignancies Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.Also, Jeffrey D. Rothstein, M.D., Ph.D., co-director, Brain Science Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The speakers also include: Hongjun Song, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University; Jeremy Sugarman, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., Harvey M. Meyerhoff Professor of Bioethics and Medicine, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and Department of Medicine; and Wesley D. Blakeslee, J.D., executive director, Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer, Johns Hopkins University.

The World Stem Cell Summit is the only conference that combines this mix of researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and ethics and legal advocates to share, explore and discuss the latest breakthroughs and advancements in the emerging field of stem cells.

Demonstrations and discussions will range from tracking how reprogrammed stem cells (iPSCs) might complement the use of embryonic stem cells to stem cells used in regenerative medicine and how new devices such as stem cell integrated fluidic circuits might soon automate and simplify the entire process.

Follow the latest on the conference arrangements on the Web and Twitter.

Story possibilities will be posted by participating universities and agencies on the conference news blog.

Conference media contacts:
Alan Fernandez alan@genpol.org
Howard High howard.high@fluidigm.com; 650-266-6081 (office); 510-786-7378 (mobile)

On the Web:
Stem Cell Research at Johns Hopkins: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stem_cell_research/
Conference Web site: http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com
Conference Twitter site: http://twitter.com/wscs2009
Conference news blog: http://worldstemcellsummit.blogspot.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Summit Participants Invited to Tour UM BioPark Companies

World Stem Cell Summit participants are invited to the University of Maryland BioPark Tuesday to tour Paragon Bioservices and its new preclinical laboratories and the cGMP manufacturing suites at the University of Maryland BioPark.

Paragon, a CMO specializing in the development and manufacturing of biologics, is located just 5 minutes from the World Stem Cell Summit. Shuttle Transportation will be provided.

20 minute tours are scheduled Tuesday, September 22, between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm

Space is limited. Please stop by Paragon's booth, #120, at the conference for more information or to register to attend a tour.

Contact: Jessica Boehmer
Sales & Business Development Representative
Paragon Bioservices, Inc.
801 West Baltimore Street Suite 401
Baltimore, MD 21201
Desk: 410.975.4064
Mobile: 410.916.1310
Reception: 410.975.4050
Fax: 410.605.2028
jboehmer@paragonbioservices.com
http://www.paragonbioservices.com/

Research Collaboration Agreement with California to be Signed at Summit

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will witness signing and provide remarks

In connection to the symposium, the State of Maryland and the State of California will enter into a formal stem cell research collaboration agreement. The agreement, which will be signed at the Summit, will make it easier for researchers in California and Maryland to collaborate and obtain joint funding to facilitate groundbreaking stem cell research.

Governor Martin O’Malley will witness the signing of the agreement and provide remarks.

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (Commission) will host the second annual Maryland Stem Cell Symposium on Monday, Sept. 21 at the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit. The symposium will allow Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) awardees to present notable findings in stem cell research. Posters and presentations from over 80 Maryland-supported stem cell scientists will take place throughout the morning.

12:50 p.m.-- Remarks by Governor O’Malley at the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit
1:20 p.m. -- Signing of Collaboration Agreement between Maryland and California

Baltimore Convention Center, Ballrooms I-IV, Level 400, 1 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore,

Media Contact: Kathleen Shaffer 410-902-5053 kshaffer@mghus.com

UM School of Medicine Teaches Stem Cell 101

UM School of Medicine Brings Science of Stem Cells to Community, High School Students in “Stem Cells 101” Program at World Stem Cell Summit

Date of Event: September 21, 2009
Time: 9 am to 1:20 p.m.
Where: Baltimore Convention Center 1 West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201
What: Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine will help kick-off the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore on Monday, September 21, with a program called “Stem Cell Science and Medicine 101.”

The program is designed to educate community members — including a group of nearly 40 Baltimore high school students — about the science of stem cells and their potential for medical breakthroughs. The students will see about 240 scientific posters on display at the World Stem Cell Summit and hear lectures presented by world renowned scientists Curt Civin, M.D. — co-chair of the summit — and Larry Anderson, Ph.D.

Following the lectures, at about 12 p.m., the students will move outside to welcome Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley when he arrives. The Governor will present the summit’s keynote address at about 1 p.m. that day. The following evening, he will receive a Stem Cell Action award for his support of stem cell research.

Throughout Monday’s activities, the high school students and community members will be guided by groups of students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the other schools on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. A group of about 40 high school students from the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy in West Baltimore will attend the event. The school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for future careers in medicine, including scientific research. The school and the University of Maryland School of Medicine have an ongoing partnership that includes regular interactions between the high school students and School of Medicine faculty and students.

“Reaching out to enhance the community’s appreciation of the science of stem cells and their medical potential is a key part of advancing the field of stem cell research,” says Dr. Civin, director of the University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and associate dean for research of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “With presentations like this, we are hoping to catch the interest of new generations of stem cell researchers and advocates in order to ensure the future of this important field.”

The tour of poster presentations will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dr. Civin will present from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Dr. Anderson — a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the School of Medicine — will present from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Media are invited to cover the entire Stem Cells 101 program, including the governor’s arrival at around 12:15 p.m. and his keynote address at 12:50 p.m.

Contacts: Karen Buckelew, University of Maryland School of Medicine Media Relations, office: (410) 706-7590; mobile (410) 456-3705; kbuckelew@som.umaryland.edu

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Fact Sheet: Attendees to World Stem Cell Summit

Number of attendees: 1,200+

From: 40 states and 27 countries including USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Israel, Czech Republic, Japan, China, Tawain, Singapore, Australia, India, Beleraus, Russia, Portugal, Ukraine, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa.

Most are registered for the entire 3 day conference. Some arriving a couple of days early.

50 exhibitors apart from 200 sponsors, supporting organizations, and media partners.

See logos on web site http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com/.

If you have any questions please call me at 305-801-4928 cell.
Bernie Siegel

Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Factsheet

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund has awarded 141 grants to date and there is considerable variety among the research funded. It includes:

· Mix of investigator-initiated, exploratory and post doctoral grants

· Mix of human stem cells – adult, embryonic, cancer stem cells, iPS – or combination

· Mix of basic and translational projects on diseases and conditions – Blood diseases; Schizophrenia; Neural; Spinal cord injury; Central Nervous System; Genetic development; Burn wounds; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Multiple peripheral nerve regeneration; Pancreas; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Acute myeloid leukemia; Multiple leukemia; Brain tumor; Development; Lungs; Multiple cancer; Coronary; Heart disease; Myocardial infarction; Molecular biology; Type 1 Diabetes; Human pluripotent stem cell; Vascular; Neonatal stroke; Retinal degenerative; Generate insulin-producing beta-cells; Neural hematopoiesis; Human erythropoiesis; Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; Vascular diseases; Brain pathology; Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation; Ewing Sarcoma; Muscular Dystrophy; Chronic pancreatitis, Pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Glioblastoma; Parkinson's disease; Cystic Fibrosis; Chemo-resistance; Bone; Gaucher's; Breast cancer; Osteoarthritis; Transplantation; Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH); Liver; Alzheimer's disease; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Prostate cancer

· Mix of institutions and collaborations – majority to Johns Hopkins Institutes and University System of Maryland; three grants to private companies; there are several private collaborators working with academic institutions and collaboration from the University of Pennsylvania, The Scripps Research Institute, University of Newcastle, NIH, and cross campus collaboration within Maryland’s public and private research institutions

These 141 grants are supporting research directly involving over 350 researchers, physicians, lab technicians, and other personnel and an estimated 700 researchers indirectly working in labs supported by the research grants.

While the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund supported 141 new research grants in just three years, during the same period the NIH funded only two new awards on human stem cells to Maryland researchers. Assuming a perfect world that all of the actions noted below will happen in a timely manner and the NIH will see its budget increased, Maryland will only likely receive four grants for human stem cell research based on historical data.

As job creation is important to the State in these challenging economic times, the post doc fellowships are direct high paying new jobs of PhDs and MDs. It is more important now more than ever to support research as private foundations that were supporting research are not only holding back, they are receiving far less from their traditional supporters. Scientists will leave Maryland’s universities to work for NIH and other federal agencies.

Based on the language of the Executive Order signed by President Obama on March 9, 2009, additional actions are still necessary to accomplish his goal of federally funded embryonic stem cell research. These actions will take many months to over a year to accomplish and will still leave in place the Dickey-Wicker Amendment of 1995 that prohibits federal funding for research that involves the creation or destruction of human embryos.

Maryland cannot sit back and wait, and risk losing the momentum and investments in stem cell research and economic development made to date. When federal policies, guidelines, and appropriations are solidified, Maryland’s stem cell research community will be poised to successfully compete for federal funding, with years of data and research supporting their requests.

The Governor and the General Assembly have selected a tremendously talented group of individuals to serve on the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission and they have been working hard, leading and not following the Federal government, and they will continue to do so. In FY2007 there were 85 applications for the initial $15M; however, interest in the program is only growing: in FY2008 there were 122 applications, and in FY2009 there were 147 applications while the budget has been decreasing from $23M to $18M and $12.4M for FY2010. Any cessation of the program would be devastating to Maryland’s research community and to Maryland’s international reputation as a leader in stem cell research.

Maryland is hosting the World Stem Cell Summit, September 21-23, 2009. This will be the only scientific showcase of stem cell research in North America this year. Every researcher who has received funding from the MSCRF is required to present their research to date during the Summit.

For more information, contact Dan Gincel (410) 715-4172.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE TO PARTICIPATE IN 2009 WORLD STEM CELL SUMMIT

September 16, 2009 (Baltimore, MD) – Representatives from the Kennedy Krieger Institute will take part in the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit beginning September 21 in Baltimore, Md. Kennedy Krieger will join more than 1,200 of the world’s most influential stem cell stakeholders, through participation in the following:


Concurrent Session
SOCIETY TRACK: Stem Cell Progress Report—Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis -- Tuesday, September 22, 4:40 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.

Dr. John McDonald, Director of the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Josh Basile, a spinal cord injury patient at Kennedy Krieger, will join the panel to speak on recent stem cell progress surrounding spinal cord injury. Dr. McDonald will focus on embryonic stem cell transplantation in the injured spinal cord. He will also discuss spontaneous spinal cord repair and recovery as well as using endogenous stem cells for repair through activity-based restoration strategies and principles of brain activity.

Josh Basile will share his patient perspective, addressing the importance of advocacy and the role patients play in motivating scientists and the country toward future cures. Mr. Basile hopes that his discussion will inspire attendees to influence the direction of this potentially life-changing research.

Other panelists include Peter Kiernan from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Wise Young from W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, and Jane Lebkowski from Geron. The panel will be moderated by Thomas Scalea from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.


Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine World Impact Poster Forum
Poster Title: Human Cord Blood Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Stroke


Posters will be viewable throughout the day from Monday September 21 through Wednesday September 23.

Through this exploratory study, Dr. Anne Comi and colleagues bring together a new collaboration to work on the understudied clinical problem of stroke in the immature brain. The study examines how human cord blood derived stem cells enhance endogenous neurogenesis (the process by which neurons are created), and lays the groundwork for future research on methods and interventional strategies clinically relevant to neonatal and infant stroke brain injury.


About the World Stem Cell Summit
The 2009 World Stem Cell Summit will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from September 21st - 23rd. Presented by the Genetics Policy Institute, the Summit brings together the founding visionary researchers, clinicians, business pathfinders, key policy-makers, regulators, advocates, experts in law and ethics to present compelling presentations, share information, and together chart the future of regenerative medicine.


About the Kennedy Krieger Institute
Internationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD serves more than 13,000 individuals each year through inpatient and outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based programs. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe, and is home to a team of investigators who are contributing to the understanding of how disorders develop while pioneering new interventions and earlier diagnosis. For more information on Kennedy Krieger Institute, visit www.kennedykrieger.org.

Friday, September 11, 2009

National Dental Museum Features Stem Cell Research during World Stem Cell Summit

The ‘Your Spitting Image’ exhibit on display at the National Museum of Dentistry features cutting-edge research that is being done using adult dental stem cells to grow replacement teeth. Bioengineers are already growing the crowns and roots of teeth, and it is anticipated that within the next 20 years we may be able to replace missing teeth with teeth of our own making. The exhibit explores how stem cells behave to form new teeth, and the scaffolding used to grow the stem cells into a tooth root form is on display.

The ‘Your Spitting Image’ exhibit explores the role of genetics in dentistry and what our mouths reveal about us. Visitors can find out how forensic scientists use dental records and DNA analysis to solve real missing person cases, discover the secrets revealed by saliva, and find out how your mouth is a window to health for our bodies.

The National Museum of Dentistry is located on the campus of the University of Maryland Baltimore at 31 S. Greene Street at Lombard. The Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and college students with ID, UMB employees, and $3 for kids ages 3-18. Visit www.smile-experience.org for more information.

Museum media contact: Amy Pelsinsky / apelsinsky@dentalmuseum.umaryland.edu / 410.706.0052