We were honored to host Prof. Steve Oh for our January webinar, where he presented on:
“Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies: Promises Fulfilled and Potential New Applications.”
Presentation Highlights:
What are MSCs?
Prof. Oh explored the unique capabilities of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC), also referred to as Medicinal Signaling Cells, for their ability to produce cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that support damaged tissues.
Clinical Successes:
Discussion of 13 diseases where MSC therapies have shown success in clinical trials, including the recent FDA approval of Mesoblast’s therapy for pediatric Graft vs. Host Disease.
Innovative Technologies:
- Using machine learning to improve osteoarthritis treatment
- Biodegradable microcarriers for scalable cell production
- A non-DMSO solution for preserving cells for direct infusion
Future Directions:
Insights into cost-effective, accessible allogeneic and engineered MSC therapies to make treatments more affordable and scalable.
The Full Abstract:
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are adult cells derived from tissues like the bone marrow, adipose and cord blood. They are also recently renamed as Medicinal Signaling Cells because of their ability to produce a variety of cytokines, growth factors, peptides, extracellular vesicles and organelles that can signal to different damaged tissues in the body. In this presentation, I will show case examples of their multiplicity of functions and highlight 13 different diseases where there has been clinical trial success in the last 15 years, including the recent FDA approval of Mesoblast’s therapy for acute paediatric Graft vs. Host Disease. I will also show examples of the use of machine learning to improve treatment of osteoarthritis, new modalities of cell production using biodegradable microcarriers and a non-DMSO solution for preservation of cells for direct infusion of these potent cell therapies. Some discussions of future allogeneic and engineered MSC will be presented that will improve the cost of therapies.
Finally, I will highlight the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), a 31 year old society that focuses on translational and industrialization of cell and gene therapies.
What’s Next?
Our next webinar in February will explore the practical applications of microfluidic systems in cell biology and their role in translating research into practice. Stay tuned for updates on the date and registration details—don’t miss out!
Thank you for being part of the Smart MCs Webinar Series, where we share valuable insights into tools and technologies shaping bioprocessing, cell biology, and related fields.
Missed the live session?
If you missed the live session or want to revisit the discussion, the full recording is now available:
🎥 Watch the Webinar Recording
Leave A Comment