Tapping the Power of Stem Cells

Our work is based on the idea that heart disease and other age-related illnesses are due to an insufficiency of healthy tissue-repairing stem cells. We carry out basic, preclinical, and clinical research aimed at finding ways to supply stem cells to the heart and other organs to prevent and repair damage. Our studies are concentrated in three main areas:

What is a stem cell?

A stem cell is a cell that can do two things: 1) self-renew (make more of itself); and 2) differentiate (become multiple kinds of cells). In other words, stem cells are cells in our body that replenish the pool of cells that get used for repair and can be used to repair more than one tissue or organ.

Our work is based on the idea that chronic diseases, including age-related illnesses, are due to a failure of stem cells. That is, as we age we run out of cells that normally repair our bodies so we lose the capacity to heal ourselves as well. If that is true, then we should be able to counter disease by providing appropriate stem cells to the injured organs or tissues.

We carry out basic laboratory research, preclinical studies that are necessary to prove the ideas work, and clinical research aimed at finding ways to supply stem cells to the heart and other organs to prevent and repair damage. Our studies are concentrated in three main areas: 

Prevention

We believe it is possible to prevent or even begin to reverse early disease by replacing stem cells that are lost as we age or as we develop disease. Thus, we are investigating the numbers of stem cells and related substances in the blood as a way to assess health and identify individuals at risk for particular diseases. We are also looking into the use of stem cells to prevent and reverse atherosclerosis, restenosis, and other cardiovascular disorders.

Treatment

We seek to reverse heart disease and other ailments associated with damage by supplying stem cells to affected tissues and organs. Current clinical studies include exploring the use of a patient's own stem cells to repair damaged heart tissue.

Cure

Each year some 50,000 individuals die awaiting heart transplant due to a lack of donor organs. Another 93,000 await kidney, liver, lung or pancreas transplants. With the discovery of adult-derived stem cells in most organs, the potential to generate stem cell-based organs for transplant has blossomed. We have provided proof of concept that stem cells and scaffolds made from decellularized cadaver organs can be used to grow new, functional organs to replace those that have already been irreversibly damaged. We are continuing to advance toward clinical trials.