Stem Cell Science Research Articles

Therapeutic journeys: the hopeful travails of stem cell tourists

The recent growth of so-called stem cell tourism reflects the high optimism that currently surrounds stem cell science. Stem cell treatments for various conditions are increasingly advertised over the Internet as being available at hospitals and clinics around the world. However, most are clinically unproven. Despite numerous warnings from scientists about the dangers posed by such treatments, many individuals are evidently prepared to take the risk, sometimes on more than one occasion. This article explores the dynamics of hope that underpin stem cell tourism. Drawing on ideas from the sociology of hope, as applied to biomedicine, the article explores how hope is constructed and shapes actions in relation to stem cell treatments. Making reference to the findings from an Australian study of patients and carers who travelled overseas to receive stem cell treatments, it is argued that hope has an ambiguous significance in the context of deregulated health care. As we explain, this has implications for patients' and carers' treatment decisions and experiences. The findings are discussed in light of current responses to stem cell tourism.

An interview with Benoit Bruneau

![Figure][1] Benoit Bruneau is a developmental biologist based at the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco. His lab studies the transcription factors and chromatin remodelling complexes that regulate cardiac organogenesis and differentiation, with the aim of uncovering the basis for

Human embryonic stem cell science and policy: The case of Iran

The paper is based on a large qualitative study of ethics, policy and regulation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) science in Iran. This case study in five academic research centres used semi-structured interviews to examine in depth the views of stem cell scientists, embryologists and ethics committee members on hESC research policy in this Shia Muslim country. Although Iran's policy approach has been considered 'intermediate', what is described here seems to be a 'more flexible' policy on hESC science. This article describes three arguments to explain why Iran has shaped such a policy. These are: (1) a flexibility of the Shia tradition has allowed for hESC science; (2) permissive policy related to other fields of biomedicine, such as new assisted reproductive technologies, facilitated approval of hESC research; and (3) a lack of public debate of bioscience in Iran influences how its hESC research policy is perceived. Based on the empirical data, this paper then expands and refines the conceptual bioethical basis for the co-production of science, policy, and society in Iran. The notion of co-production implies that scientists, policy-makers, and sometimes other societal actors cooperate in the exchange, production, and application of knowledge to make science policy.

Globalization of stem cell science: an examination of current and past collaborative research networks.

Science and engineering research has becoming an increasingly international phenomenon. Traditional bibliometric studies have not captured the evolution of collaborative partnerships between countries, particularly in emerging technologies such as stem cell science, in which an immense amount of investment has been made in the past decade. Analyzing over 2,800 articles from the top journals that include stem cell research in their publications, this study demonstrates the globalization of stem cell science. From 2000 to 2010, international collaborations increased from 20.9% to 36% of all stem cell publications analyzed. The United States remains the most prolific and the most dominant country in the field in terms of publications in high impact journals. But Asian countries, particularly China are steadily gaining ground. Exhibiting the largest relative growth, the percent of Chinese-authored stem cell papers grew more than ten-fold, while the percent of Chinese-authored international papers increased over seven times from 2000 to 2010. And while the percent of total stem cell publications exhibited modest growth for European countries, the percent of international publications increased more substantially, particularly in the United Kingdom. Overall, the data indicated that traditional networks of collaboration extant in 2000 still predominate in stem cell science. Although more nations are becoming involved in international collaborations and undertaking stem cell research, many of these efforts, with the exception of those in certain Asian countries, have yet to translate into publications in high impact journals.

Adult Human Liver Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells Participate in Mouse Liver Regeneration after Hepatectomy

The advances in stem cell science have promoted research on their use in liver regenerative medicine. Beyond the demonstration of their ability to display metabolic functions in vitro, candidate cells should demonstrate achievable in situ differentiation and ability to participate to liver repopulation. In this work, we studied the in vivo behavior of adult liver mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (ADHLSCs) after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. The kinetics of engraftment and in situ hepatogenic differentiation were analyzed. Response of transplanted ADHLSCs to regenerative stimulus was also evaluated. Nondifferentiated ADHLSCs were intrasplenically transplanted into SCID mice. Efficiency of transplantation was evaluated at the level of engraftment and in situ differentiation using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR. After bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) implantation, proliferation of transplanted ADHLSCs in response to 20% hepatectomy was assessed using immunohistochemistry. We demonstrated that ADHLSC engraftment in the SCID mouse liver was low but remained stable up to 60 days posttransplantation, when albumin (ALB) immunopositive ADHLSCs were still detected and organized as clusters. Coexpression of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) demonstrated ADHLSC in situ differentiation mostly near the hepatic portal vein. After 20% hepatectomy on 1 month transplanted mice, the percentage of BrdU and human ALB immunopositive ADHLSCs increased from 3 to 28 days post-BrdU implantation to reach 31.3 ± 5.4% of the total analyzed human cells. In the current study, we demonstrate that transplanted ADHLSCs are able to differentiate in the non preconditioned SCID mouse liver mainly in the periportal area. In response to partial hepatectomy, integrated ADHLSCs proliferate and participate to recipient mouse liver regeneration.

Mapping the translational science policy 'valley of death'.

Translating the knowledge from biomedical science into clinical applications that help patients has been compared to crossing a valley of death because of the many issues that separate the bench from the bedside and threaten to stall progress. But translation is also inhibited by a science policy environment with its own impediments. Mapping these policy impediments give a more complete picture of the valley of death. Stem cell science is one example where success in moving from the bench to the bedside has confronted policy challenges generating difficulties as challenging as those facing scientists and clinicians. We highlight some of the characteristics and challenges of the science policy valley of death common to the U.S. and Europe, illustrate them with a recent example from stem cell science, and describe some promising strategies for traversing the valley.

Editor's Spotlight/Take 5: Nano-ceramic Composite Scaffolds for Bioreactor-based Bone Engineering

Editor's Spotlight/Take 5: Nano-ceramic Composite Scaffolds for Bioreactor-based Bone Engineering

Dear Student: Stem Cell Scientists’ Advice to the Next Generation

For the field of pluripotent stem cell biology to realize its promising future, current researchers will need to pass the torch to new generations. We asked a group of successful scientists in this area, "What advice would you give a young person considering a career in stem cell research?"

Collaborative Benefits and Coordination Costs: Learning and Capability Development in Science

We examine the effects of team structure and experience on the impact of inventions produced by scientific teams. Whereas multidisciplinary, collaborative teams have become the norm in scientific production, there are coordination costs commensurate with managing such teams. We use patent citation analysis to examine the effect of prior collaboration and patenting experience on invention impact of 282 patents granted in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research from 1998 to 2010. Our results reveal that team experience outside the domain may be detrimental to project performance in a setting where the underlying knowledge changes. In stem cell science, we show that interdepartmental collaboration has a negative effect on invention impact. Scientific proximity between members of the team has a curvilinear relationship, suggesting that teams consisting of members with moderate proximity get the highest impact. We elaborate on these findings for theories of collaboration and coordination and its implications for radical scientific discoveries. Copyright © 2013 Strategic Management Society.

Ageing stem and progenitor cells: implications for rejuvenation of the central nervous system

The growing burden of the rapidly ageing global population has reinvigorated interest in the science of ageing and rejuvenation. Among organ systems, rejuvenation of the central nervous system (CNS) is arguably the most complex and challenging of tasks owing, among other things, to its startling structural and functional complexity and its restricted capacity for repair. Thus, the prospect of meaningful rejuvenation of the CNS has seemed an impossible goal; however, advances in stem cell science are beginning to challenge this assumption. This Review outlines these advances with a focus on ageing and rejuvenation of key endogenous stem and progenitor cell compartments in the CNS. Insights gleaned from studies of model organisms, chiefly rodents, will be considered in parallel with human studies.

Regulation of stem cell therapies under attack in Europe: for whom the bell tolls.

At the time of writing, the Italian Parliament is debating a new law that would make it legal to practice an unproven stem cell treatment in public hospitals. The treatment, offered by a private non-medical organization, may not be safe, lacks a rationale, and violates current national laws and European regulations. This case raises multiple concerns, most prominently the urgent need to protect patients who are severely ill, exposed to significant risks, and vulnerable to exploitation. The scientific community must consider the context-social, financial, medical, legal-in which stem cell science is currently situated and the need for stringent regulation. Additional concerns are emerging. These emanate from the novel climate, created within science itself, and stem cell science in particular, by the currently prevailing model of 'translational medicine'. Only rigorous science and rigorous regulation can ensure translation of science into effective therapies rather than into ineffective market products, and mark, at the same time, the sharp distinction between the striving for new therapies and the deceit of patients.

Therapeutic Hope, Spiritual Distress, and the Problem of Stem Cell Tourism

Managing patients' therapeutic hope and spiritual distress-in addition to tighter regulation of commercial therapies and improved patient understanding-may offer a more comprehensive approach to reducing the overall incidence of stem cell tourism. Such patient support must occur early in the clinical relationship after appropriate assessment and discussion.

Sino-Canadian Collaborations in Stem Cell Research: A Scientometric Analysis

BackgroundInternational collaboration (IC) is essential for the advance of stem cell research, a field characterized by marked asymmetries in knowledge and capacity between nations. China is emerging as a global leader in the stem cell field. However, knowledge on the extent and characteristics of IC in stem cell science, particularly China’s collaboration with developed economies, is lacking.Methods and FindingsWe provide a scientometric analysis of the China–Canada collaboration in stem cell research, placing this in the context of other leading producers in the field. We analyze stem cell research published from 2006 to 2010 from the Scopus database, using co-authored papers as a proxy for collaboration. We examine IC levels, collaboration preferences, scientific impact, the collaborating institutions in China and Canada, areas of mutual interest, and funding sources. Our analysis shows rapid global expansion of the field with 48% increase in papers from 2006 to 2010. China now ranks second globally after the United States. China has the lowest IC rate of countries examined, while Canada has one of the highest. China–Canada collaboration is rising steadily, more than doubling during 2006–2010. China–Canada collaboration enhances impact compared to papers authored solely by China-based researchers This difference remained significant even when comparing only papers published in English.ConclusionsWhile China is increasingly courted in IC by developed countries as a partner in stem cell research, it is clear that it has reached its status in the field largely through domestic publications. Nevertheless, IC enhances the impact of stem cell research in China, and in the field in general. This study establishes an objective baseline for comparison with future studies, setting the stage for in-depth exploration of the dynamics and genesis of IC in stem cell research.

BiotecVisions 2013, March

BiotecVisions 2013, March

Stem Cell Research and Therapy: The Position of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

Stem cells' regenerative capabilities present a unique opportunity to treat human illness and injury. In 2003, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) issued a position statement supporting stem cell use in research settings. Almost a decade later, in response to legislative and technological developments within the field of stem cell science, NSGC convened a task force to revisit and update its statement on stem cell research. In doing so, the Task Force developed a new statement reaffirming NSGC's support for stem cell research and endorsed continued stem cell therapy development. NSGC recognizes that the unique potential of stem cell therapy to treat human disease and injury can be realized only through research on a diverse array of stem cell lines drawn from multiple sources, including embryonic, cord blood, and adult cells. NSGC supports the use of stem cells in research and clinical settings when practices adhere to defined ethical and legal guidelines. Available stem cell lines should reflect our genetically diverse population, and donor recruitment should be without discrimination or coercion and include a thorough and dynamic informed consent process.

Depicting the Uncertainties of Stem Cell Science

Stem cell researchers labor in unpredictable circumstances, beset by uncertainties allied to the study of cellular signaling behaviors. STS research, based primarily on the work of Star (1985), has demonstrated that medical scientists often approach these vicissitudes using a type of phronesis that aims to better qualify the causes of experimental ambiguities, while also identifying optimistic reference points to help guide future research. Knowledge of this type of phronesis is extended by this article, which examines the composition of the three most popular citations allied to the regenerative cellular biology/human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) literature. When analyzed, these papers afford evidence that the adducement of positive signals begins with sorting and categorizing. This article finds that, when representing the outcomes of this cataloging for peer-review consumption, the authors concerned predicated their observations in a perspicacious rhetoric, which serves to reinforce positive-leaning ascriptions by couching them in images of virtue, fortitude, and due diligence. The research findings presented herewith suggest that adducements of this kind may be anchored in a representational practice that could be described as “modal splicing.” This article contributes to the STS literature by observing connections between modal splicing, perspicacious representation, and knowledge affirmations in hiPSC contexts.

Stem cell science and regenerative medicine

Stem cell science and regenerative medicine

"Skilled games: Ethics, legitimacy and creativity in stem cell science"

Organizations sometimes expand by encompassing goods traditionally deemed off-limits to instrumental action. As a result, competing moral orders pervade markets and organizations. Studies of morals and markets show that organizational and occupational communities in contested areas defend one unique moral perspective in order to ensure public acceptance and organizational survival. However, this does not explain how competing moral orders might influence continuing action within these communities. Indeed as communities embed themselves within a strong moral perspective, they may be left with scant room for continuing creativity and change. In this paper, I examine the U.S. Stem Cell community as a “trouble case”: after advocating for the morality of using human embryos for research during many years, the community invented a technology which bypassed the use of human embryos. Drawing on a 16-months ethnographic study of stem cell scientists, I find that while scientists presented a unified public front, they locally held diverse moral positions and embedded these views in the infrastructure of science by creating new technologies. In this case, local divergences over ethics shaped innovation and change. Moreover, the “dual ethics work” performed by scientists allowed them to maintain public legitimacy while exercising their capacity for innovation. This paper contributes to our understanding of the links between morals and organizations by showing that moral understandings are not just mobilized as post-hoc justifications of organizational products or practices but are integral to the constitution of these products and practices.

The Erasure of Egg Providers in Stem Cell Science

The Erasure of Egg Providers in Stem Cell Science

The Erasure of Egg Providers in Stem Cell Science

In the discussion over cloning’s role in embryonic stem cell research, egg providers remain shadowy figures. A scandal in Korea eight years ago raised consciousness about the potential for coercion of egg providers in this branch of stem cell science and led to necessary debates about informed consent and compensation. But a more fundamental concern is the near erasure of egg providers from the discourse about why we should pursue stem cell research that involves cloning. In their zeal to win the race for stem cell supremacy, researchers who consider egg providers’ interests to be roadblocks to advancement are making efforts to disavow and obscure the reproductive aspects of research cloning. This paper argues that if the research cloning enterprise continues to depend upon the procurement and use of human oocytes, it should render a more transparent account of the contribution of egg providers to the endeavor.