International Stem Cell Presents Several Research Advances at Cell Science 2011 in Philadelphia

Vice president, Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, opened the conference, discussing the latest trends in the use of stem cells to treat various diseases of the central nervous system, while the company's director of translational research, Dr. Alina Ostrowska, led a follow-on presentation regarding International Stem Cell's new method of obtaining functioning neuron cells from human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs).

Dr. Semechkin commented: "I'm honored to be opening this conference and to be debating the latest advances in stem cell therapies.

"ISCO will also be presenting the most recent results from two of our most important research programs, where we continue to further characterize our parthenogenetic stem cell lines and their ability to form functioning liver-like cell and functioning neuron-like cells."

Last month, the company released the results of the first series of animal trials of neuronal cells derived from hpSCs.

The company said the cells were able to survive in the brains of mice without producing a tumour, representing a key milestone towards possible therapeutic applications of hpSCs, including the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The company's parthenogenetic stem cell technology can be used to derive pluripotent stem cells, meaning they can be transformed into any cell type in the body. The parthenogenetic stem cells are derived from unfertilized eggs, avoiding the ethical issues behind the destruction of viable human embryos.

These cells have also demonstrated they are better in terms of the immune system, as one single stem cell line can be genetically matched to millions of people, reducing the need for immuno-suppressants.