We develop stem cell technology for potential use in diabetes research and treatment. Our research has led to a patent-pending method for generation of adult stem cells from cells isolated from tissues. While embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiation into all of the various cells of the body, adult stem cells are more limited in differentiation capacity generally including the cell types that comprise the tissue of origin. Adult stem cells are now used for transplantation therapy of blood disorders, e.g., leukemia. Our present focus is on the application of adult stem cells to therapeutic replacement of endocrine organs that produce hormones essential to physiological regulation of the body. While use of embryonic stem cells involves controversial ethical issues and complex differentiation procedures, we use tissue-derived adult stem cell lines with demonstrated differentiation capacity for our research. In addition to treatment of diabetes, our novel stem cell generation technology may provide therapeutic options to other diseases or conditions resulting from death or degeneration of specific cells including, for example, age-related hearing loss, macular degeneration, muscular dystrophy, heart attack, and congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
The Company has generated 29 adult human pancreatic stem cell lines that are distinct from the limited number of embryonic stem cell lines that are presently approved for federally funded research. Some of these lines have been extensively expanded in cell culture and have demonstrated self-renewal properties by growth through 100 to 200 population doublings (PD) while mortal cells typically do not expand beyond 50 population doublings. Also, we have developed methods of differentiation that result in expression of biomarkers characteristic of alpha and beta cells suggesting that the cell lines have at least multipotent differentiation capacity. Some markers of non-pancreatic cell lineage are expressed in these cells raising the possibility of differentiation into other cell types. We manufacture select human cell lines and related products according to GMP standards for use in stem cell and drug discovery research. Our research products include two human cell lines of pancreatic origin and supporting products including optimized growth and cryopreservation media. These lines are Mesenchymal, attachment-dependent cells that exhibit properties of human Mesenchymal stem cells, affording researchers several unique opportunities.
12635 E. Montview Blvd.
Suite 218
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone (720) 859-4120
Fax (720) 859-4110
Email: Jim@Vitrodiag.com
