New purpose-built stem cell research facility in Edinburgh

Thu, 31/05/2012 - 12:25am — admin

The £54 million Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal this week.

The University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine will carry out cutting-edge stem cell research to help find therapies for patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, and heart and liver diseases.

The centre is the first large-scale, purpose-built facility of its kind and provides accommodation for up to 250 stem cell scientists. EuroStemCell is also based at this new building, as SCRM is our coordinating partner.

Read more about the opening of the centre on the SCRM website, or watch this video about research conducted there.

Thu, 30/05/2013 - 6:20pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Mesenchymal stem cells

I am severely disabled by rheumatoid arthritis with raised IL6 which indicates caused by infection. I have virtually no quality of life . I wish to undergo preferably 'autologous ' mesenchymal stem cell therapy as soon as possible. I need guidance in choosing an authentic clinic, wherever it may be in the world, and to be sure which is the most successful derived mesenchymal stem cells ie bone marrow, fat and blood. Embryonic derived stem cells may be more effective and continue to work in the body but may carry greater risks. If you can can not help with this information. I would be grateful if you knew who could Pamela

Fri, 07/06/2013 - 2:10am — admin

Mesenchymal stem cells

Dear Pamela,

thanks for getting in touch. I'm sorry to hear about your condition.

You asked about mesenchymal stem cell therapy. If you haven't already seen it, our fact sheet on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) gives an overview of the status of research in this field. Following is an extract from this fact sheet:

Research into therapies using MSCs is still in its infancy. A great deal more work is needed before such therapies can be used routinely in patients. Questions remain about how the cells can be controlled, how they will behave when transplanted into the body, how they can be delivered to the right place so that they work effectively and so forth. By studying how these cells work and interact within the body, researchers hope to develop safe and effective new treatments in the future. Read more.

I would also recommend that you take a look at the website A Closer Look at Stem Cell Treatments, by the International Society for Stem Cell Research. The site includes information and advice to help you assess the reliability of any treatment offers you may receive.

If you have further questions, please get in touch using our contact form and we'll do our best to help with further information by email.

Best wishes,

Kate

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 5:34pm — john husband (not verified)

ms my wife needs help

my wife has ms and osteo arthritis is wheel chair bound , this is amazing news that as a couple with jus barley enough money to get buy that there is hope for her, we despratly need treatment with stem cell . i know we cant affford the money to go to america to help her but god i hope it comes to scotland with a smaller price so i can offer her a better quality in life please lets make treatment about helping others and not about money regards john

Thu, 08/11/2012 - 11:09am — Emma

Your comment about your wife's MS

Hi John. Many thanks for your comment. I'm sorry to hear of your wife's illness. If you haven't already seen it, you may find our fact sheet about MS and stem cell research helpful: http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/multiple-sclerosis-how-could-stem-cells-help . I have also sent you a more detailled reply by email. Best wishes, Emma.

Tue, 14/08/2012 - 9:59pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Stem cell treatment for diabetes

Hi My Doctor today from Northern Ireland as said to me that she will be contacting a doctor in Edinburgh about me receiving stem cell treatment..I'm 37 and have type 1 Diabetes nearly 4 yrs and with no success with various treatment's i'm still badly controlled and feels this is the best option for me to take..I was in a bit of shock and didn't take much of this in today and trying to research it tonight and found this page and was wondering could you answer some of my question's?? :) Q1.Does it work..lol? Q2.How does the procedure be done? ie.operation or other method? Q3.How long does it take? ie.is it done over a period of time? Q4.Does it have to be done again year's done the line? My mind has gone blank..lol..even if you know a web site i can find more info on would be fantastic?? Thank you for you time and hope to hear from you soon :)

Wed, 15/08/2012 - 11:34pm — admin

have you seen our fact sheet on Type 1 diabetes and stem cells?

Thanks for your comment. I have replied in more detail by email. EuroStemCell is not able to offer advice on specific treatments or clinics, and we do recommend that you discuss any possible treatments with your doctor in the first instance.

If you are interested in information on current research on stem cells and diabetes, our Fact sheet: Type 1 Diabetes: how could stem cells help? is a good place to start.
For more general information on stem cell treatments, see our FAQ: What diseases and conditions can be treated with stem cells?

Wishing you all the very best!

Thu, 31/05/2012 - 11:09am — Lauris (not verified)

MS

I had an MS for more than 10 years, and there always was a stories about stem cell... and so on, but really in those years nothing happening in therapy...doctors talk, talk, and talk ....but they even could't find the reason why people get MS,m and this is in technological age...sorry , but I am tired with this empty hopes and research, research and research...

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:42pm — Emma

Clinical research takes a long time...

Hi and thanks for your comment. The progress of research can, understandably, seem very slow and frustrating to patients like yourself who are waiting for a new treatment. The time it takes to make progress is important to make sure any treatments developed are safe and will really be beneficial to patients. There are many scientists working on understanding MS, studying stem cells and trying to develop new treatments and they are gaining new knowledge all the time, but it is of course a complex process. You might find the booklet Stem Cell Therapies in MS useful: it was produced by a large international group of scientists working in this area and gives an overview of current research and progress. You may also be interested to read more about the process of developing a new treatment in the graphic novel Hope beyond Hype. If you have further questions after that, you can get in touch with us directly using our Contact form.