Online Resources
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Annotated Bibliography
Cellular Therapy: Potential Treatment for Heart Disease, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2004.
Despite advances in treatment, ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are major causes of death in the United States. Cell therapies for treating these diseases are of interest to medical researchers. This resource outlines the issues surrounding clinical studies of human stem cells and the FDA's role in ensuring safe studies.
Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Patients, National Public Radio Talk of the Nation Audio, April 2004.
This one-hour audio program discusses injecting stem cells into heart patients to improve blood flow. This new treatment for heart disease uses the patient's own bone marrow to restore heart function.
Reaping the Benefits of Genomic and Proteomic Research: Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation, and Public Health, Committee on Intellectual Property Rights in Genomic and Protein Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 2005.
The National Academy of Sciences reports on the granting and licensing of intellectual property rights on discoveries relating to genetics and proteomics and the effects of these practices on research and innovation.
Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine, by Commission on Life Sciences, 2002.
Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells. It also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells, compares the likely impact of public and private research funding on progress in the field, and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the authors make recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal Related Federal Government Sites in this field of research, and other fundamental issues impacting potential stem cell-based therapies.
Unlocking the Promise of Stem Cells, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, March 2004.
View an interactive videoconference in which University researchers discuss the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, created to move cutting-edge research on embryonic stem cells from the lab to the clinic.
Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, Report from Former President Bush's Council on Bioethics, 2003.
Can biotechnology satisfy our human desires—for better children, superior performance, ageless bodies, and happy souls? This report from the President's Council on Bioethics says these possibilities present us with profound ethical challenges and choices. Not declaring "findings," but holding an inquiry—inviting us all to think and debate—the President's Council sought the ideas of dozens of celebrated scientists, thinkers and writers, including such Council members as Francis Fukuyama, Charles Krauthammer, Michael Sandel, and James Q. Wilson, as well as witnesses Steven Pinker, Daniel Schacter, Lawrence Diller, Steven Austad, and S. Jay Olshansky.
Directories and Databases
MEDLINEplus—Stem Cells/Stem Cell Transplantation A consumer health database that includes news, health resources, clinical trials, and more.
Nature Biotechnology Directory A directory of companies engaged in biotechnology research.
PubMed Contains references to literature from more than 4,300 life sciences journals.
Stem Cell Database A joint project of Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania that contains data on the molecular phenotype of hematopoietic stem cells.
Disease-Specific Organizations and Advocacy Groups
Adult Stem Cell Research Network An internet-based project of The Cell Therapy Foundation designed to be a well-maintained and reliable source of information for the public regarding adult stem cell research, as well as to be a community of practice and collaboration among fellow researchers.
Alliance for Aging Research This citizen advocacy organization works to improve the health and independence of Americans as they age.
ALS Association (ALSA) Dedicated to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), ALSA offers this primer on stem cells.
American Cancer Society Offers information on stem cell transplantation for children with leukemia.
Arthritis Foundation Discusses whether a stem cell transplant cures arthritis.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Funds research on treatments for central nervous system disorders and works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through a grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts.
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Advocates the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine, including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Using stem cells to restore normal blood sugar, plus information on recent research and policy.
Lymphoma Information Network A page on bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
March of Dimes Aims to give babies a fighting chance against such threats to their health as prematurity, birth defects, and low birthweight.
Research!America Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on stem cell research.
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Dedicated to ensuring the development of a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda.
National Health Council (NHC) Works to promote the health of all people by advancing the voluntary health movement.
National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) Maintains an international registry of donors for all sources of blood stem cells used in transplantation: bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood.
Spinal Cord Injury Information Network Links to articles about stem cells, particularly for spinal cord injuries.
Educational Resources
Stem Book A collection of invited, original, peer-reviewed chapters on stem cell biology written by top researchers in the field at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and worldwide. Stem Book is aimed at stem cell and non-specialist researchers.
ExploreStemCells A UK resource for the general public that discusses the use of stem cells in medical treatments and therapies.
How Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Are Made An online animation from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. (Requires Adobe Flash Player)
Human Embryonic Stem Cells An animated tutorial for the general public. (Requires Adobe Flash Player)
The National Academies Publications on stem cells, including Understanding Stem Cells: An Overview of the Science and Issues from the National Academies (2006), Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (2005), Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine (2002), and Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning (2002).
NIH-Supported Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Projects
Cellular Universe: The Promise of Stem Cells Educates visitors about advances in cell biology and stem cells so they can make more informed health-related decisions, explore new career options, and better understand the role of scientific research in healthcare.
If a Starfish Can Grow a New Arm, Why Can't I? This Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) educational program informs middle school students, their teachers, and the general public about tissue engineering and its applications.
Regenerative Medicine Partnership in Education Duquesne University's SEPA project offers planetarium shows, movies, and educational Web tools.
NWABR Stem Cell Curriculum This 6-lesson unit explores the scientific and ethical issues involved in stem cell research. It features hands-on, engaging classroom activities that have been showcased in the journal American Biology Teacher.
Life Science Learning Center The University of Rochester educational program provide a general overview of stem cell biology and an introduction to stem cell research. Extended Version Stem Cell Biology module features a series of 10 short lessons on stem cells with hands-on lab activities and animated slide show. The Short Version” of the Stem Cell Biology module can be completed in two 40-minute class periods. Instructions for setting up the lab activity are included in the teacher guide.
A Stem Cell Story This 15-minute movie from EuroStemCell introduces the world of stem cell research and is available as a video podcast.
Stem cells: Cells with Potential Part of the San Francisco Exploratorium's Microscope Imaging Station.
Stem Cells: Engage A high school teaching resource on stem cell research developed in Canada.
Stem Cells in the Spotlight and Cloning In Focus The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah presents these outreach education programs for high school and undergraduate students and teachers.
Stem Cell ResourcesSM A resource for the educational community on stem cells.
Tissue Engineering Planetarium Show Online movies about the body's ability to heal itself.
Tissues of Life: Stem Cells An interactive comic explaining where stem cells are found in the body and how they are gathered.
World Stem Cell Map Reflects national policy and whether public funds may be used to pursue stem cell research using IVF embryos donated from fertility clinics.
International Research
Australian Stem Cell Centre Unites leading Australian academic researchers with the biotechnology industry to develop innovative therapeutic products.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) CIHR is the major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. The site offers links to stem cell research guidelines, the Stem Cell Oversight Committee, and funding opportunities.
Centre for Stem Cell Biology (UK) Part of the University of Sheffield.
EuroStemCell Eleven academic institutes and enterprises from eight European countries compare stem cell information and evaluate their therapeutic potential.
The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy (Hadassah University Hospital, Israel) Information on the Institute's Research Group on human embryonic stem cells.
Health Insite (Australia) List of stem cell resources.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in China A September 2002 Report from the U.S. Embassy, Beijing.
Institute for Stem Cell Research (UK) Includes links to its research groups and collaborative initiatives.
Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Outlines their current research projects.
The International Stem Cell Forum (ISCF) Encourages international collaboration and funding support for stem cell research.
Kyoto University (Japan) Home page for the University's Stem Cell Research Center
RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (Japan) Home page for the Center's Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology
Scottish Stem Cell Network A multidisciplinary forum of scientists and clinicians advancing stem cell biology into identifiable health benefits.
Stem Cell Society Singapore Serving the stem cell research community of Singapore.
Stem Cells: Therapies for the Future? (EU) News and information about this 2001 European Union conference.
Tekes—National Technology Agency of Finland Tekes is the main public funding organization for research and development in Finland.
UK Medical Research Council Information on the MRC's stem cell initiative.
The UK Stem Cell Bank Information about stem cell lines available from the UK bank.
UK National Stem Cell Network Promotes research activities and events at the national level to speed the translation of basic stem cell research into therapeutic applications in the control of degenerative diseases.
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