Abu Dhabi.. Developing an advanced technology to produce brain cells derived from the patient

The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC) has recorded a qualitative scientific achievement in the field of regenerative medicine, represented by the development of an advanced technology to produce “brain stem cells” derived from the patient’s own cells, in a step that strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position at the forefront of Middle Eastern countries within a limited elite of global research centers working to develop this advanced approach to treating neurological diseases.

This development comes in the context of a global scientific movement led by leading research institutions in the United States, Europe and Asia, working on similar technologies. However, the government support and strategic investment that the UAE gives to the scientific research sector has contributed to accelerating the pace of development of these technologies and pushing them towards the horizons of future medical applications.

The scientific process begins by taking a small sample of the patient’s skin or blood, which is later subjected to reprogramming processes using advanced virus-free technologies, during which the cells are transformed into multipotent cells, which are cells that can be directed through precise scientific protocols to differentiate into a wide spectrum of specialized cells in the human body.

According to the protocol approved in the laboratory, these cells can be directed to differentiate into nerve cells, brain stem cells, heart muscle cells, or liver and pancreas cells, in addition to other types of specialized cells. After completing the reprogramming process, they are expanded within a precise laboratory environment before being directed again to differentiate into specialized brain stem cells that are expected to be used in the future to repair or replace damaged nervous tissue.

This advanced scientific approach makes it possible to develop future therapeutic solutions for a number of complex neurological conditions that still represent a prominent challenge in modern medicine, including Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in addition to spinal cord injuries and some nervous system disorders.

This treatment approach is characterized by the fact that the cells used in it are derived from the patient himself, which contributes to reducing the possibility of the immune system rejecting the transplanted cells, and reduces the need to use immunosuppressive medications, which often accompany tissue transplantation operations.

Professor Angelo L. confirmed. Vescovi, professor of cell biology at the University of Milano-Bicocca and the center’s chief scientific researcher, said that reprogramming a patient’s cells and turning them into neural stem cells represents one of the most promising paths in regenerative medicine, noting that this technology opens broad horizons for developing future treatments aimed at repairing damaged brain and spinal cord tissue.

Stem cell researchers Fabio Miravina and Lorenzo De Rosa explained that developing virus-free cellular reprogramming techniques constitutes a pivotal step in terms of microbiological and clinical safety. It allows the production of stem cells that preserve the patient’s genetic identity while at the same time meeting stringent standards for medical applications.

They pointed out that the next stage will focus on transferring this innovation from the laboratory to potential therapeutic uses, by expanding the scope of cell production, standardizing laboratory protocols, and developing manufacturing processes compatible with international regulatory standards in preparation for clinical applications.