Despite controversy surrounding stem cell research, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, partnering with SANYO corporation, are pressing forward with a new machine representing a breakthrough in the treatment of patients using stem cells.
The machine, termed the “Cell-Processing Workstation,” or CPWS, was developed by SANYO as “the industry's first integrated, stand-alone solution for good manufacturing practice-compliant processing and manufacture of regenerative stem cell and cell therapies for research applications.” Accordingly, researchers will be able to produce cells in a clean environment and minimize the risk of contamination.
The selection of UAB for the CPWS is particularly fitting due to the roughly 1500 sickle-cell patients treated at the UAB Medical Center, making it one of the highest populations of sickle-cell patients in the country. Already, researchers led by Tim Townes, Ph.D., have developed a method of therapy by which to correct defective genes responsible for sickle cells by changing skin cell from sickle-cell patients into induced Pluripotent Stem cells or iPS cells and transplanting the new cells in vitro.
Researchers are ecstatic about the new technology. Larry Lamb, Ph.D., who serves as the director of UAB’s Cell Therapy Lab, said “The CPWS puts us beyond the state-of-the-art for cell manufacturing.” SANYO also is excited about the new partnership, with Christine Stannard, vice president of Biomedical Solutions at SANYO claiming “UAB will have the latest technology available…SANYO is providing a practical solution for biotech and pharmaceutical customers to advance their research.”
Whether you are a researcher in the various fields of life science or a vendor of laboratory supplies, if you are in the Birmingham area be sure to mark your calendar for August 4th to attend the 12th Annual BioResearch Product Faire (tm) by Biotechnology Calendar, Inc., at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Click below for more information.
(Quotations courtesy of UAB News, image courtesy of SANYO corporation)