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Spinal Cord Program
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News Release 2002
International President J Frank Moore III in Melbourne
STOP PRESS
Wednesday 8th May 2002
In a news release issued from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute today,
scientists have announced the first culture of adult brain stem cells.
The scientists, who are the joint holders of the Lions Spinal Cord Fellowship
established by the Spinal Cord Society of Australia Inc in partnership
with the Lions Clubs of Australia, have cultured these cells from brain
tissue made available from routine neurosurgical procedures.
The Spinal Cord Society, through its research programme in the United
States, has developed a technique for culturing adult neural stem cells.
A recent press release from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles,
announced the use of this same technique in the treatment of a man with
Parkinson’s disease.
The Australian programme at this stage has successfully cultured neural
stem cells. In the next couple of weeks it is expected that some of these
cells will be identified as those that produce dopamine. It is these same
cells that have been used at Cedars-Sinai where a more extensive clinical
trial is to take place.
Once it has been established at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
that these cells can be safely established, it is possible that a parallel
clinical trial can take place utilizing the unique GMP (Good Manufacturing
Practice) facilities available at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.
This facility was seen by the International President, J. Frank Moore
III who took the opportunity to inspect the facilities in the laboratory
and was able to view the nerve cells currently being cultured. He was
also able to present certificates to the joint holders of the Spinal Cord
Fellowship, Dr David Haylock and Dr. Paul Simmons.
For Further Information
MD201 Spinal Cord Fellowship committee
Chairman Lion George Owen
Committee Member Geoff Neal
spinal@lionsclubtraralgon.asn.au
Lions Club of Traralgon
PO Box 203
Traralgon Vic 3844
For an update on this project go to:
http://www.lionsclubtraralgon.asn.au/scf.html
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Spinal
Cord Programl