Understand and apply cord blood stem cells better
The fields of research in regenerative medicine are comprehensive and promising. Leading scientists assume that every seventh person will need a therapy based on stem cells during the course of their lives in the near future. One reason is that people grow older and more and more people suffer from e.g. cancer or diabetes. Vita 34 too works on improving umbilical cord blood and enhancing its possibilities of application.
"I have been dealing with stem cells and umbilical cord blood for many years and am convinced that cord blood and tissue will be applied on a broad basis in all fields of medicine in the future.“
Dr. Margit Müller, Consultant Medical Scientific Department
In future medicine, it will be a firmly anchored element in therapy. For almost twenty years, the research and development team of Vita 34, consisting of medical specialists, biologists, biochemists, and medical-technical experts has been committed to the research of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue. In collaboration with renowned universities and research institutions, Vita 34 researches new therapeutic options to treat cardiovascular diseases, hematopoietic diseases, and diabetes type 1. Like Vita 34, many health professionals and scientists believe in the great potential of stem cells. Vita 34 is actively involved in this development.
In the following, we present a few selected research projects including umbilical cord blood for certain diseases and indications:
Basic research
Vita 34 is also involved in basic research. In collaboration with Hannover Medical School, Vita 34 wants to develop a procedure to extract induced, pluripotent stem cells (ipS cells) from stem cells from umbilical cord blood. You could produce specialized body cells from them, e.g. heart cells or liver cells.
Together with renowned research institutions, Vita 34 is involved in basic research. The goal is clearly defined: Find new therapies and possible applications for stem cells from the umbilical cord and thus develop therapies for previously incurable diseases
Acquired hearing loss
At the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, children suffering from acquired hearing loss are treated with their own umbilical cord blood. The goal of the study is clearly defined: The scientists want to find an alternative treatment method to regenerate the hearing ability and thus prevent problems in the speech development as well as difficulties at school and job.
Infantile brain damage
Infantile brain damage may be caused by perinatal oxygen deficiency, under-supply in the womb, or prenatal stroke. Children with brain damage have already been treated with their own umbilical cord blood in clinical studies and treatment attempts. The state of many patients improved and the impairments diminished. Practice confirmed the assumptions from animal tests, where a protective effect triggered by the stem cells from umbilical cord blood was established.
Infantile brain damage may be caused by a stroke of the unborn child, perinatal oxygen deficiency, or accidents and diseases. Umbilical cord blood has been applied in treatment attempts in order to relieve the effects.
Artificial skin grafts
Scientists from the University t Granada developed artificial skin grafts from cord blood stem cells for clinical application to burns or injuries.
Solid tumors
Children with tumor diseases were treated with their own umbilical cord blood after chemotherapy to stimulate the hematopoiesis and the immune system.
Leukemia
To treat leukemia, usually stem cells from healthy siblings or donors are applied. The patient’s own umbilical cord blood has been used so far only in rare exceptions.
Diabetes type 1
Children with juvenile diabetes were treated with their own umbilical cord blood in a clinical study supported by Vita 34. The goal is to stop the destruction of insulin-producing cells by the immune system.
Stem cell therapy after heart attacks
In collaboration with Rostock University, Vita 34 researchers found out in animal tests that the infusion of stem cells from umbilical cord blood improves perfusion and pumping performance of the cardiac muscle after a heart attack.
Up to two million heart cells die in a heart attack. Tissue engineering is intended to repair these damages with the body’s own tissue. Stem cells are the basis of the new heart cells in this process.
Stem cell therapy after stroke
The results of joint pre-clinical studies in collaboration with Leipzig University and Fraunhofer Institute (IZI) show that paralysis and motor dysfunctions after stroke can be diminished by infusing umbilical cord blood.
Further topics
Compare products and prices
As a precaution, store either the umbilical cord blood or the umbilical cord tissue after the birth of your child. We offer both at different prices and terms. Also a financing is possible. Optionally, you can also donate the umbilical cord blood.
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