Canada is a hotbed for the commercialization of regenerative medicine and stem cell discoveries. How appropriate, since two Canadian doctors, James Till and Ernest McCulloch discovered transplantable stem cells at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto in 1961.
Accelerated growth in this industry sector is opening up new job opportunities for medical laboratory technologists. The benefits include working with scientific discoveries and leading-edge technologies to find exciting new treatment options that can help people living with devastating diseases and conditions.
Check out my story From Bench to Business in the Winter 2015 issue of the Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science. I enjoyed interviewing Lianne Witt, technical director of laboratory and client services at Insception Lifebank, Canada’s largest private cord blood bank, and Emily Titus, manager of technology at Centre for Commercialization for Regenerative Medicine (CCRM). Their career paths are inspiring for medical laboratory technologists looking for opportunities beyond traditional hospital labs. It is a great time to be working in the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cells!
NGS: How what we are measuring impacts data models and implications for data commons. New sequencing technologies, such as long read transcriptomic sequencing, gives us new gene models. These gene models alter the way we see past sequencing data and impacts how we assess the biological relevance of results. The disruption this causes to our view of the biological systems under study needs to be absorbed validated and the new view built upon. Understanding the lifecycle of data, the measurement technologies is imperative. Ultimately, statements, in sights may be the most long lived item. Claims validated by experiments and re-validated in every new context. Ultimately, old measurement technologies may go by way of the kilogram, replaced by reproducible experiments. What do we need to do to ensure that the persistent data stores upon which we rely enable this, promote this and enable us to become better data stewards.
Get information of what are stem cells, sources of stem cells, what is umbilical cord and the umbilical cord blood, what us HLS matching etc and many more.
Introduction to Jackson Labs, JMCRS, Clinical Services and Scientific Services at the Jackson Labs. Differences between long and short read sequencing. FAIR Data Action Plan. Metadata needs. Data Commons and the need to capture sample specific gene models discovered.
NGS: How what we are measuring impacts data models and implications for data commons. New sequencing technologies, such as long read transcriptomic sequencing, gives us new gene models. These gene models alter the way we see past sequencing data and impacts how we assess the biological relevance of results. The disruption this causes to our view of the biological systems under study needs to be absorbed validated and the new view built upon. Understanding the lifecycle of data, the measurement technologies is imperative. Ultimately, statements, in sights may be the most long lived item. Claims validated by experiments and re-validated in every new context. Ultimately, old measurement technologies may go by way of the kilogram, replaced by reproducible experiments. What do we need to do to ensure that the persistent data stores upon which we rely enable this, promote this and enable us to become better data stewards.
Get information of what are stem cells, sources of stem cells, what is umbilical cord and the umbilical cord blood, what us HLS matching etc and many more.
Introduction to Jackson Labs, JMCRS, Clinical Services and Scientific Services at the Jackson Labs. Differences between long and short read sequencing. FAIR Data Action Plan. Metadata needs. Data Commons and the need to capture sample specific gene models discovered.
Find out about collaboration and partnership opportunities with the Wellcome Sanger Institute that aims to create exceptional healthcare opportunities for everyone from extraordinary science.
Find out about collaboration and partnership opportunities with the Wellcome Sanger Institute that aims to create exceptional healthcare opportunities for everyone from extraordinary science.
London & Partners MedCity Cell & Gene Therapy Report londonandpartners
The golden triangle & Japan, natural collaborators in cell and gene therapy. Discover Cambridge, London and Oxford’s thriving life sciences ecosystem and cell and gene therapy expertise. The golden triangle offers clinical trials capabilities, a diverse population and single healthcare system, all supported by a committed government. Collaborate with us and help develop the next generation of cell and gene therapy treatments.
On Dec. 20th 2016, the HRB published their "Health Research In Action" booklet that detailed a small selection of recent success stories from their research funding portfolio which "...really show health research in action".
The corneal-limbal stem cell research work carried out at NICB (by Finbarr O’Sullivan and Prof. Martin Clynes) and which led to the first corneal-limbal stem cell transplant in Ireland (carried out by Mr. William Power of the RVEEH) on June 7th, 2016 got an honorable mention (Page 17)
For the development of cellular therapies it is essential to gain a profound insight into the specific function of individual cell types.
To this end, it is often crucial to separate the target cells from heterogeneous cell mixtures. Cell isolation and further cell processing for
clinical research has not always been as easy and effortless as it is now. Over the course of 25 years, Miltenyi Biotec revolutionized cell
processing for both basic research and clinical application.
Building on the sell-out success of the launch event, SMi Group is delighted to announce the return of 3D Cell Culture, taking place on 21st and 22nd of February 2018, in London UK.
3D Cell Culture is rapidly growing with incredible potential for industrial application and a widespread reach that can be seen across many different fields, such as 3D bioprinting and microfluidics.
The 2nd annual conference will explore these overlapping areas and will combine pioneering breakthroughs with scientific research to strengthen your commercial success. Join us for exclusive insight into key topics such as disease models, organoids, organ-on-a-chip technologies, Ipsc advances and CRISPR technology. Notable speakers on the agenda for 2018 will include experts from Aurelia Bioscience, ReInnervate Ltd, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, University College London, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Kugelmeiers, GSK, AstraZeneca, Roche and more!
ReeLabs is a zero debt, presently 10 crore company with a working capital of 100 crores that has recently
ventured into cord blood banking and stem cell research and therapy.
You have probably heard about the Ebola epidemic that began in West Africa in early 2014 and continues today. But I bet you have never heard about an Ebola scare in Saskatoon that happened only a few days after the outbreak began in March 2014.
For this story for The Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, I spoke to Dr. Joseph Blondeau, Acting Department Head for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine with Saskatoon Health Region and Mary-Louise Graham, Director for the Office of Biosafety and Biocontainment Operations, Centre for Biosecurity at the Public Health Agency of Canada.
In a nutshell: A patient with an unknown viral hemorrhagic fever arrived at a Saskatoon hospital, late one Sunday night. The patient’s condition was deteriorating rapidly — he had a diffuse rash, fever and was bleeding from the eyes. His medical history was difficult to obtain, but one thing stood out — he had recently returned from Liberia, the Ebola hot zone, within the 2-21 day incubation period for the disease.
To further complicate things, this happened in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where there was no authorized courier that could transport blood specimens to the only Containment Level 4 lab in Canada, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a 10-hour drive away. As of July 15, 2015, there had been 27,688 reported cases and more than 11,279 deaths due to Ebola, according to the CDC.
This real-life, infectious disease scare informed biosecurity measures and preparedness planning across Canada.
Pump It Up: Inova Heart and Vascular Institute's bold new vision to save more...Jane Langille
In this cover story for INOVA Magazine, I profiled a patient with congestive heart failure who lived for many months with two ventricular assist devices (VADs) before he finally received a heart transplant. Expertise matters! INOVA is one of the few centers in the U.S. that can implant two VADs in one procedure and also performs the highest number of heart transplants in the mid-Atlantic region. Strong leadership at the Inova Heart and Vascular Insitute is setting a bold new course for the future to meet growing demand for heart failure patients, including new monitoring technologies, state-of-the-art interventional procedures and a new strategic plan that includes building a cardiac dream team of specialists.
Fancy feet follies: High heels can hurt more than your feetJane Langille
Do you know that there are several health risks from wearing high heels? I used to wear them daily when I had an office job, even though they hurt my feet sometimes and I didn’t need the extra height. Now it hurts to wear them at all because I have worn flats for so long.
For this story for The Costco Connection, the third largest publication by circulation in the U.S., I interviewed a podiatrist, a chiropractor and an orthopedic surgeon. They provided some great insights about how high heels can cause a wide range of health problems, from ligament tears and hammertoes to back and knee pain, and even gait issues. They also shared some great tips for reducing health risks.
Fun fact: High heels were originally worn by men!
Feel as though you are constantly juggling too much on your plate? You’re far from alone! For this story for CPA Magazine, I summarized the latest neuroscience on multitasking from Daniel Levitin's book, The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age Of Information Overload and spoke to busy CPAs as well as workplace experts about what works to tame the daily deluge of too much to do.
Mental health continues to be an important issue affecting so many Canadians. I wrote three stories for the series for the Canadian Nurses Association in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The stories were: Reducing Stigma in Health-Care Settings; Suicide Prevention and Postvention Initiatives; and When Mental Illness and the Justice System Intersect.
Distilling fact from fiction is an important part of my job as an evidence-based health writer. The Low T (low testosterone) story, originally assigned as a feature for an online health foundation, was intended to explore the facts vs. the frenzy of the low T debate. However, it quickly grew into so much more. While preparing for my interview with a key source, I was perplexed that the data did not line up with the conclusions drawn by a major, trusted health journal, nor many of the headlines in mainstream media stories. My analysis was correct and the story took on a whole different direction about egregious headlines, faulty conclusions and the journal's refusal to retract a study. There are four sections in this reporting package:
Low T: Separating Facts from Frenzy (feature story)
The Low T Story: Hunting for the Truth (blog)
Breaking: The Low T Story: Hunting for the Truth, Part 2 (blog)
JAMA Refuses to Retract Paper on Testosterone Risks (blog)
No harm, no foul: Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory ScienceJane Langille
Hands-on simulation experience allows healthcare workers to get messy, make mistakes and hone problem-solving skills — with no risk to patients. In this feature story for the Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, I explore trends in simulation in education at the undergrad level at The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences in Toronto, as well as in-field training provided by a unique mobile simulation specialist in remote areas in northern Alberta.
NVBDCP.pptx Nation vector borne disease control programSapna Thakur
NVBDCP was launched in 2003-2004 . Vector-Borne Disease: Disease that results from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Examples of vector-borne diseases include Dengue fever, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, and malaria.
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Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
Ozempic: Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Saeid Safari
Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists like Ozempic and Semiglutide
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Tom Selleck Health: A Comprehensive Look at the Iconic Actor’s Wellness Journeygreendigital
Tom Selleck, an enduring figure in Hollywood. has captivated audiences for decades with his rugged charm, iconic moustache. and memorable roles in television and film. From his breakout role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. to his current portrayal of Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. Selleck's career has spanned over 50 years. But beyond his professional achievements. fans have often been curious about Tom Selleck Health. especially as he has aged in the public eye.
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Introduction
Many have been interested in Tom Selleck health. not only because of his enduring presence on screen but also because of the challenges. and lifestyle choices he has faced and made over the years. This article delves into the various aspects of Tom Selleck health. exploring his fitness regimen, diet, mental health. and the challenges he has encountered as he ages. We'll look at how he maintains his well-being. the health issues he has faced, and his approach to ageing .
Early Life and Career
Childhood and Athletic Beginnings
Tom Selleck was born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. From an early age, he was involved in sports, particularly basketball. which played a significant role in his physical development. His athletic pursuits continued into college. where he attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a basketball scholarship. This early involvement in sports laid a strong foundation for his physical health and disciplined lifestyle.
Transition to Acting
Selleck's transition from an athlete to an actor came with its physical demands. His first significant role in "Magnum P.I." required him to perform various stunts and maintain a fit appearance. This role, which he played from 1980 to 1988. necessitated a rigorous fitness routine to meet the show's demands. setting the stage for his long-term commitment to health and wellness.
Fitness Regimen
Workout Routine
Tom Selleck health and fitness regimen has evolved. adapting to his changing roles and age. During his "Magnum, P.I." days. Selleck's workouts were intense and focused on building and maintaining muscle mass. His routine included weightlifting, cardiovascular exercises. and specific training for the stunts he performed on the show.
Selleck adjusted his fitness routine as he aged to suit his body's needs. Today, his workouts focus on maintaining flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health. He incorporates low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, and light weightlifting. This balanced approach helps him stay fit without putting undue strain on his joints and muscles.
Importance of Flexibility and Mobility
In recent years, Selleck has emphasized the importance of flexibility and mobility in his fitness regimen. Understanding the natural decline in muscle mass and joint flexibility with age. he includes stretching and yoga in his routine. These practices help prevent injuries, improve posture, and maintain mobilit
Report Back from SGO 2024: What’s the Latest in Cervical Cancer?bkling
Are you curious about what’s new in cervical cancer research or unsure what the findings mean? Join Dr. Emily Ko, a gynecologic oncologist at Penn Medicine, to learn about the latest updates from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Dr. Ko will discuss what the research presented at the conference means for you and answer your questions about the new developments.
Explore natural remedies for syphilis treatment in Singapore. Discover alternative therapies, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes that may complement conventional treatments. Learn about holistic approaches to managing syphilis symptoms and supporting overall health.
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Cardiac conduction defects can occur due to various causes.
Atrioventricular conduction blocks ( AV blocks ) are classified into 3 types.
This document describes the acute management of AV block.
New Directions in Targeted Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults With Mantl...i3 Health
i3 Health is pleased to make the speaker slides from this activity available for use as a non-accredited self-study or teaching resource.
This slide deck presented by Dr. Kami Maddocks, Professor-Clinical in the Division of Hematology and
Associate Division Director for Ambulatory Operations
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, will provide insight into new directions in targeted therapeutic approaches for older adults with mantle cell lymphoma.
STATEMENT OF NEED
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounting for 5% to 7% of all lymphomas. Its prognosis ranges from indolent disease that does not require treatment for years to very aggressive disease, which is associated with poor survival (Silkenstedt et al, 2021). Typically, MCL is diagnosed at advanced stage and in older patients who cannot tolerate intensive therapy (NCCN, 2022). Although recent advances have slightly increased remission rates, recurrence and relapse remain very common, leading to a median overall survival between 3 and 6 years (LLS, 2021). Though there are several effective options, progress is still needed towards establishing an accepted frontline approach for MCL (Castellino et al, 2022). Treatment selection and management of MCL are complicated by the heterogeneity of prognosis, advanced age and comorbidities of patients, and lack of an established standard approach for treatment, making it vital that clinicians be familiar with the latest research and advances in this area. In this activity chaired by Michael Wang, MD, Professor in the Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma at MD Anderson Cancer Center, expert faculty will discuss prognostic factors informing treatment, the promising results of recent trials in new therapeutic approaches, and the implications of treatment resistance in therapeutic selection for MCL.
Target Audience
Hematology/oncology fellows, attending faculty, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
Learning Objectives
1.) Identify clinical and biological prognostic factors that can guide treatment decision making for older adults with MCL
2.) Evaluate emerging data on targeted therapeutic approaches for treatment-naive and relapsed/refractory MCL and their applicability to older adults
3.) Assess mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies for MCL and their implications for treatment selection
Lung Cancer: Artificial Intelligence, Synergetics, Complex System Analysis, S...Oleg Kshivets
RESULTS: Overall life span (LS) was 2252.1±1742.5 days and cumulative 5-year survival (5YS) reached 73.2%, 10 years – 64.8%, 20 years – 42.5%. 513 LCP lived more than 5 years (LS=3124.6±1525.6 days), 148 LCP – more than 10 years (LS=5054.4±1504.1 days).199 LCP died because of LC (LS=562.7±374.5 days). 5YS of LCP after bi/lobectomies was significantly superior in comparison with LCP after pneumonectomies (78.1% vs.63.7%, P=0.00001 by log-rank test). AT significantly improved 5YS (66.3% vs. 34.8%) (P=0.00000 by log-rank test) only for LCP with N1-2. Cox modeling displayed that 5YS of LCP significantly depended on: phase transition (PT) early-invasive LC in terms of synergetics, PT N0—N12, cell ratio factors (ratio between cancer cells- CC and blood cells subpopulations), G1-3, histology, glucose, AT, blood cell circuit, prothrombin index, heparin tolerance, recalcification time (P=0.000-0.038). Neural networks, genetic algorithm selection and bootstrap simulation revealed relationships between 5YS and PT early-invasive LC (rank=1), PT N0—N12 (rank=2), thrombocytes/CC (3), erythrocytes/CC (4), eosinophils/CC (5), healthy cells/CC (6), lymphocytes/CC (7), segmented neutrophils/CC (8), stick neutrophils/CC (9), monocytes/CC (10); leucocytes/CC (11). Correct prediction of 5YS was 100% by neural networks computing (area under ROC curve=1.0; error=0.0).
CONCLUSIONS: 5YS of LCP after radical procedures significantly depended on: 1) PT early-invasive cancer; 2) PT N0--N12; 3) cell ratio factors; 4) blood cell circuit; 5) biochemical factors; 6) hemostasis system; 7) AT; 8) LC characteristics; 9) LC cell dynamics; 10) surgery type: lobectomy/pneumonectomy; 11) anthropometric data. Optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies for LC are: 1) screening and early detection of LC; 2) availability of experienced thoracic surgeons because of complexity of radical procedures; 3) aggressive en block surgery and adequate lymph node dissection for completeness; 4) precise prediction; 5) adjuvant chemoimmunoradiotherapy for LCP with unfavorable prognosis.
Maxilla, Mandible & Hyoid Bone & Clinical Correlations by Dr. RIG.pptx
From Bench to Business
1. From Bench to
Business pg. 18
Down the Rabbit
Hole: How Much
Access to Your Medical
Information is Too
Much? pg. 22
The Complex Dynamic of Canada’s Laboratory Services pg. 27
features
TheBusiness
ofScience
2. FEATURES
18 CJMLS Winter 2015
The future’s bright with
emerging opportunities in
regenerative medicine and stem
cell businesses
From
Bench to
Business
W
hen she graduated from St. Lawrence College with her medical laboratory
technology diploma in 1984, Lianne Witt never imagined she would end up
working in one of Canada’s hottest scientific fields. Today, she is technical
director of laboratory and client services at Insception Lifebank, Canada’s largest private
cord blood bank.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be involved in regenerative medicine, using cutting-
edge technology to work with stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue,” says Witt. Cord
blood stem cells are used to treat more than 80 life-threatening conditions such as cancers
genetic diseases, immune deficiencies and blood disorders. To date, there have been more
than 30,000 transplants of cord blood stem cells worldwide.1
Regenerative medicine involves the repair, regeneration or replacement of diseased cells,
tissues and organs, using stem cells, tissue engineering or biomaterials. Discoveries promise
to treat a wide variety of life-threatening illnesses and chronic conditions including heart
disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, vision impairment,
and severe burns. Globally, the regenerative medicine field is growing fast. The market
currently stands at USD$19.3 billion and is forecast to more than triple in size and reach
USD$67.6 billion by 2020. The global market for cell therapy is USD$5.1 billion, estimated
to reach more than USD$8 billion by 2018.2
Right now, there are more than 1,900
active cell therapy trials underway across
the globe, investigating new treatment
approaches that may one day become
commercial cell products or standard of care
therapies. One exciting example is the recent
addition of a human clinical study test site
in Edmonton, Alberta, for a breakthrough
long-term diabetes treatment. The VC-01TM
made by California-based ViaCyte Inc., is
an implantable pouch that holds pancreatic
progenitor cells derived from human
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs),
(See Stem Cells 101 on next page). Once
implanted, the cells mature and secrete
insulin, promising to free people with
3. www.csmls.org 19
Type 1 diabetes from dangerous blood sugar
highs and lows and the need to monitor or
take insulin injections.3
As the cell therapy and regenerative
medicine fields grow quickly, new job
opportunities are emerging for medical lab
technologists looking for careers beyond
traditional hospital labs. Positions in these
organizationsare ideal forthosewhowantto
work with leading-edge technologies, thrive
in a fast-paced project-focused setting and
are motivated by unique leadership and
professional development opportunities.
Insception Lifebank is one of 46 member
organizations that belong to the Centre
for Commercialization of Regenerative
Medicine (CCRM), a Toronto-based, not-
for-profit organization launched in June
2011. CCRM operates as a global industry
consortium at the intersection of academia
and business, focusing on accelerating
the commercialization of stem cell and
biomaterials-based discoveries. Both
Insception and CCRM have medical lab
technologists on staff. All training happens
on-the-job since there are no formal education programs that offer instruction on how to
use the highly specialized and often proprietary equipment not seen in hospital labs.
At Insception, the eight technologists on staff are involved with the production of stem
cell products from cord blood and cord tissue from start to finish. They process units for
cryopreservation, conduct culture and sensitivity testing on samples with a BacT/ALERT
instrument, perform flow cytometry to analyze stem cells, and participate in product
releases when transplant requests are received. “We look for people with a track record of a
high level of accuracy, because with our samples, we have one chance to get it right: we can’t
go and get a repeat sample,” says Witt.
Technologists at CCRM are involved in all three of the organization’s areas of focus:
cell reprogramming and engineering, cell manufacturing and biomaterials. They keep
cells growing in culture, perform analyses and run experiments such as seeding cells on
biomaterials or inducing cell reprogramming. The Microsquisher, developed by CellScale
of Waterloo, Ontario, is one example of the highly specialized equipment operated by
technologists at CCRM. It is used to determine stress-strength properties of biomaterial
scaffolds, tissues and cells. Technologists also beta test new bioreactor equipment for stem
cell expansion and provide feedback to manufacturers. Emily Titus, BASc, PhD, hiring
manager, lab supervisor and project manager for CCRM’s product and process development
lab says, “Their feedback is always critical because they are often the ones doing the daily
hands-on manipulation of the equipment.” She leads a team of five scientists, one lab
manager and five technologists.
As the number of regenerative discoveries grows, medical lab technologists often work
Stem Cells 101
A stem cell is a cell that has the
ability to divide and differentiate
into any cell type. Induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
are adult cells that have been
genetically reprogrammed to
revert back to an embryonic
state. Shinya Yamanaka, MD,
Ph.D., won the 2012 Nobel Prize
in Medicine for his discovery of
a way to reprogram mature skin
cells back to stem cells.
Discoveries promise to treat a wide variety of life-threatening
illnesses and chronic conditions including heart disease,
diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy,
vision impairment, and severe burns.
4. FEATURES
20 CJMLS Winter 2015
in teams on a changing roster of projects.
Titus says, “Something that defines the
technologist position here at CCRM is that
we have a diversity of projects and needs
change very quickly. We get exposure to new
ideas both from industry projects and from
exciting academic work that comes through
our lab. We have very defined expectations
in terms of project milestones and goal
setting.” Flexibility is key at Insception
too: “Things are always changing, even in
the space of a year. Our technologists now
process cord tissue, a technology we just
launched a year ago,” says Witt.
Gaining on-the-job specialized skills
means that medical lab technologists
become subject matter experts,
which leads to unique leadership and
professional development opportunities.
Lab technologists at Insception have the
opportunity to become accredited assessors
with the AABB (formerly known as the
American Association of Blood Banks)
and travel to other countries to assess the
quality and operational systems of other
cord blood programs. The AABB is the
accrediting body for cellular therapy labs
around the world. Witt participated in the
AABB’s rigorous Accreditation Assessor
Program and has travelled twice to different
parts of India, one of her technologists
recently went to Dubai, and she knows
others who have gone to Brazil, Poland,
Thailand, and China.
At CCRM, lab technologists lead the
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell
(HiPSC) Workshop, providing essential
training to other technologists and scientists
in the community on how to produce and
maintain iPSCs. Participants gain a strong
foundation in standardized validation and
characterization methods to ensure quality
in the production of stem cell lines. “We
offer the program on a pay-per-service
basis. It is all run by the lead technologist
who provides hands-on training in a
teaching lab at the University of Toronto,
one of our partners. We have trained over
50 people in the past four years,” says
Titus. This year’s workshop was offered
in October, in conjunction with the 2015
Till & McCulloch Meetings, Canada’s only
annual stem cell conference. Technologists
attend together with leading stem cell
scientists, clinicians and bioengineers as
well as representatives from government,
health and non-governmental organization
(NGO) sectors from around the world.
CCRM, the Stem Cell Network and the
Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine
co-hosted the conference this year.
Both Witt and Titus say the ideal
candidate for a medical lab technologist
position with Insception is someone with
transferable skills and a keen interest to
learn and work in groups at the leading
edge of new discoveries. Witt says, “We look
for technologists that have been involved
in transfusion medicine. Experience with
Canadian Blood Services is a bonus because
they are familiar with blood manufacturing
and its regulations and standards, and
because they’re going to have knowledge
of some of the equipment we use here. We
have hired new grads and we also work with
The Michener Institute for Applied Sciences
to place students who have completed
their first year in our summer internship
program. They start as lab assistants and
can transition to casual labour and full
time,” says Witt.
At CCRM, all technologists currently on
staff have either a bachelor or masters degree
in science with a focus on cell biology,
molecular biology or bioengineering.
“Rather than looking for people with
specific skill sets, we are looking people
with a specific work ethic, a willingness and
Working in the regenerative medicine field
is a worthwhile career option for medical lab
technologists looking for a chance to work with
recent scientific discoveries and new treatments that
can help people dealing with devastating and costly
diseases and conditions.
Emily Titus
5. www.csmls.org 21
ReferenceS:
1
Insception FAQs: Cord Blood. How can cord
blood help today? Found at http://www.
insception.com/frequently-asked-questions/
2
CCRM: Quick Facts on Regenerative Medi-
cine CCRM. August 2015. Found at http://
ccrm.ca/sites/default/files/QuickFacts_Au-
gust2015_Final.pdf
3
JDRF news release. ViaCyte Announces
Highly Anticipated Encapsulation Clinical
Trial Site Expansion into Canada. July 29,
2015. Found at https://www.jdrf.ca/news-
and-media/in-the-news/viacyte-announces-
highly-anticipated-encapsulation-clinical-
trial-site-expansion-into-canada/
4
National Institutes of Health: Stem Cell
Basics. VI. What are induced pluripotent stem
cells? Found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/
basics/pages/basics10.aspx
5
University of California San Francisco press
release, October 9, 2012. Shinya Yamanaka
Wins 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Found at
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2012/10/12898/
shinya-yamanaka-wins-2012-nobel-prize-
medicine
Canada’s Legacy
Canadian doctors, James Till and Ernest McCulloch discovered
transplantable stem cells at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto in 1961.
Since then, a number of Canadian scientists have been advancing the field.
Read more about Canada’s stem cell legacy of innovation at
http://stemcellfoundation.ca/en/about-stem-cells/canadas-contribution/.
Jane Langille
Health and Medical Writer
Special to CJMLS
excitement to learn new techniques and
work in collaborative team environments,”
says Titus, “We are open to all applications.
I haven’t seen someone with a medical
laboratory technology diploma applying
here yet but it would be very interesting to
interview someone with that background to
see how they would fit within the context of
our overall philosophy.”
The future is bright for career
opportunities for lab technologists in
the regenerative medicine sector. CCRM
anticipates tripling their workforce over
the next five years, spinning out more
companies that will provide novel stem
cell and biomaterials-based therapies.
Insception plans to introduce new
regenerative medicine technologies in the
future, technologies that are top secret right
now, but ones that technologists will also be
involved with.
Working in the regenerative medicine
field is a worthwhile career option for
medical lab technologists looking for
a chance to work with recent scientific
discoveriesandnewtreatmentsthatcanhelp
people dealing with devastating and costly
diseases and conditions. “Technologists
here truly embrace and love what they do.
There’s so much passion! They know that
the samples they’re working on are golden
and that this could be the difference in a
child’s life,” says Witt.
$
19.3
$
67.6
The regenerative medicine
field currently stands at
and forecast to more than
triple in size and reach
by 2020.2
1,900there are
more than
active cell therapy trials
underway across the globe
billion
USD
billion
USD