news to me
http://sarasotamagazine.com/blog/201...cal-frontiers/

Since stem cell research no longer requires harvesting stem cells from fetuses, it’s no longer controversial. And because the stem cells used in Schumacher’s and other treatments are developed from the patient’s own skin, there is so far no indication of rejection; the body’s immune system recognizes the cells as “good guys.”

Phase I testing on humans will begin in Boston next year. “You can expect that we would include Sarasota in the Phase II part of this experiment,” says Schumacher. “We’ll be on the cutting edge of this.”

Schumacher moved to Sarasota from Boston because, as a friend told him, “This is where the Parkinson’s patients are.”

In addition to Schumacher’s Parkinson’s research, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute is performing stem cell studies regarding leukemia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, hearing loss and more.

“The coolest thing with these stem cells is the rebuilding of organs,” says Schumacher. “If you need a new heart, grow one.” Or, in his case, grow enough dopamine to reverse Parkinson’s.

Ms Okolicsanyi is manipulating adult stem cells from bone marrow to produce a population of cells that can be used to treat brain damage.
"My research is a step in proving that stem cells taken from the bone marrow can be manipulated into neural cells, or precursor cells that have the potential to replace, repair or treat brain damage," she said.


http://bit.ly/Ud5mK5