U of M Stem Cell Institute

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute seek the treatments that will make a difference in quality of life for patients suffering from such diseases as Parkinson's, diabetes, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and more.

In recognition of the seemingly unlimited potential of stem cells in the treatment of human and animal diseases, the University of Minnesota has made a significant capital investment of about $15 million in the Stem Cell Institute.

"Stem cell research, and regenerative medicine generally, will have as much impact on our lives in the 21st century as did motor cars, antibiotics, and computers in the 20th."

- Jonathan Slack, Director

For more information on embryonic stem cell research <<More Info

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U Mich hES Cell Center

Our Goals

The goal of the hES Cell Center is to provide training, technologies, and education in human embryonic stem cell biology.

1. We are a tissue culture Core Facility established to maintain hES cell lines, provide quality control and share expertise, protocols, and reagents within the U of M scientific community. The Core will also be engaged in basic research under the direction of the Core Director.
2. The Core Facility provides coursework and hands on training in the culture of human embryonic stem cells for faculty, staff, and students.
3. Graduate coursework, seminar programs, and an annual symposium have been established as educational opportunities for the scientific community.
4. Education of the general public on the facts and potential benefits of human embryonic stem cell research is also part of our goal. The Center participates in community outreach and provides educational opportunities through a variety of programs.

More than 40 scientists are active participants in the Center for hES Cell Research. The research ranges in scope from studies of the fundamental biology of stem cells and the human embryo, to understanding the development of all the organ systems in the body, to therapeutics and bioengineering of tissues and organs.

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Stanford Biobank

The RENEW Biobank is located at the Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education (hESC) in the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute. The Center builds on the established excellence of the Institute, in combination with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, by focusing on four areas of primary importance in stem cells research:

Overview

The Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education is actively engaged in basic research exploring the biology of stem cells, with the goals of translating our findings to clinical applications and advancing the field of regenerative medicine. Research at the Center concentrates on several Areas of Focus:

Early Human Embryo Development
We have the opportunity to understand our beginnings: the first few days of life and decisions made in forming the early human cell lineages. We seek to understand what genes regulate early human embryonic development. More »

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Biology
The fundamental mechanisms that drive hESC differentiation into major cell lineanges are not clearly understood. We are constantly optimizing our stem cell culture conditions and finding more efficient ways to derive and differentiate human embryonic stem cell lines that can be used to treat and cure diseases. More »

Reprogramming and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
Currently we are using SCNT technique to derive human embryonic stem cells that are medically-accepted for therapeutic treatments of diseases. At the same time, we are exploring other strategies to generate pluripotent stem cells that can also be used clinically. More »

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University of Illinois at Chicago Andrology Lab

The University Andrology Laboratory originally opened at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1982 and relocated in 1996 to the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Department of Urology. The laboratory meets the highest standard of quality control and quality assurance. The operation of the University Andrology Laboratory has been under the direction of Gail S. Prins, PhD, HCLD, from its inception to the present.

The UIC Andrology Lab and ReproTech have joined together to bring you the OverNite Male™ Kit. This kit was developed in 1994 by Gail S. Prins, PhD and the team at the University of Illinois at Chicago Andrology Laboratory, the OverNite Male™ Kit has more than a 15 year history of helping men preserve their chance at fatherhood. Dr. Prins and the UIC staff are flattered that the OverNite Male™ Kit has often been copied, but stress that copies seldom match the original.

Reglera

Reglera, LLC is a leading organization specializing in quality and regulatory consulting and process outsourcing. Reglera focuses on two primary industries: medical devices and human cellular and tissue products. Since 1994, Reglera has been helping tissue and medical device companies navigate the regulatory maze through its expertise and understanding of regulatory and quality systems requirements.

Reglera and ReproTech have worked together to develop services and products which can help bring reproductive clinics into compliance quickly. Clinics which use our Electronic Donor Eligibility System (DES), benefit from having a web-based application to support donor screening, review, examination, and testing, but also benefit from having Reglera regulatory expertise at their fingertips.

This system is specifically designed to provide IVF facilities with the ability to fully automate the donor eligibility process in a way that is not only compliant with FDA 21 CFR 1271, but to speed up eligibility determination, increase efficiency, and save money.  Built to support geographical organizations via the DES web portal, the status of donors can be easily monitored from any web enabled computer, and the system supports remote electronics approvals compliant with 21 CFR Part 11.

The Donor Eligibility System is more than a website. It is a proven process, which incorporates a systematic approach to help aid donor organizations in managing their donor eligibility process including work flow and all required records. For more information about the Reglera and Reprotech Donor Eligibility System please contact Reglera at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Reglera, LLC:

11925 W. I-70 Frontage Rd. North

Suite 900

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Toll: 800-341-4255

Local: 303-832-8200

www.reglera.com

 

IMA Financial Group, Inc.

IMA identifies, manages and mitigates the most challenging risk management & insurance problems in your industry. This is accomplished by understanding your industry and ultimately making your organization a better risk while saving you premium dollars. IMA accomplishes this through:

 

• HCT/Ps Industry Focus & Expertise
• Exposure Evaluation & Risk Transfer Strategies
• Customized Loss Control & Claims Management Services
• Contractual Risk Transfer Analysis
• Insurance, Risk Management & Employee Benefits

IMA has developed a shipping insurance program exclusively available to clients of ReproTech, Limited, a leader in long term storage of reproductive tissues. While every precaution and effort is taken to ensure safe and timely delivery of specimens, shipping accidents can happen. Specimen Shipping Insurance provides an inexpensive insurance solution to help minimize the financial impact of an adverse event during shipping.

Links

Organizations

American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

LIVESTRONG

National Coalition of Oncology Nurse Navigators

Resolve

Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)

Oncofertility and Cancer Links

American Cancer Society: Cancer & Fertility

American Cancer Society: Preserving Fertility after Cancer

American Cancer Society: Preserving Fertility in Children

ASRM Patient Fact Sheet on Cancer & Fertility Preservation

At Diagnosis: Special Issues by Age

Cancer Treatment: Effects on Sexual Organs & Sexuality

Fertility and Family

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Family Planning Options

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fertility Fact Sheet

MyOncofertility.org

Onco Link

Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University

Oncologists Address Fertility Issues Earlier With Patients

Preservation of Fertility

ReproTech Freezing Networks: Sperm, Egg(Oocyte), Embryo, Ovarian Tissue

State Mandated Insurance List for Infertility Treatment

Why should I consider sperm banking?

Management of fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients in a large breast cancer centre

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to individuals seeking fertility preservation services in the following ways:

• LIVESTRONG's Sharing Hope program.
• Reprotech's financial assistance program, Verna's Purse.
• Financial Assistance for Military Personnel.

Please contact RTL or click on the links above to learn more about these financial assistance services.

Fast Facts

• Treatment response rates and survival for the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men and women younger than 40 years (reproductive age) are continually improving; 5-year survival rates now exceed 80% for childhood leukemia, 75% for NHL, 80% for breast cancer and testicular cancer survivorship is at 95%.
• About 75% of patients without children at the time of their cancer diagnosis wish to have future offspring, according to data from one review article.
• It is estimated that 1 in 500 children will be diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer. Fortunately, with the use of aggressive treatment modalities, more than 75% of these children will be cured.
• Because of advances in fertilization and sperm banking technologies, all men, even those with extremely low sperm counts and motility, should be considered candidates for sperm cryopreservation.
• Studies have reported that having banked sperm may help men to cope emotionally with their diagnosis even if the samples are never used^.
• Ideally, sperm should be collected before initiation of cancer therapy; however collection of sperm in the early stages of treatment is common and can be effective.
• Most breast cancer patients and testicular cancer patients do have a significant window of opportunity to complete fertility preservation.
• Our youngest storage client, had her tissue retrieved at 16 MONTHS.
• Our youngest male storage client banked testicular tissue at 4 1/2 years of age.
• Our youngest male to bank sperm, did so at 11 years of age.
• It is estimated that reproductive tissue can remain viable for 2-3000 years when properly cryopreserved.
• We currently have semen (recently analyzed and determined viable) in storage that was frozen in 1971.
• More than 1,000 births have occurred worldwide following oocyte cryopreservation.
• The longest storage period followed by a successful pregnancy;
   
  • Sperm; 28 years, 11 months
   
  • Embryos; 16 years

For more information on Fertility Preservation, please use the link below.  If you have further questions or need assistance in finding a center, please call (888) 831-2765 (West), (888) 489-8944 (Midwest) or (888) 953-9669 (East).

ReproTech’s educational pages on Fertility Preservation.