Dr. Joel Lawitts microinjects gene editing enzymes into unfertilized mouse eggs to neutralize a major histocompatibility gene that leads to tissue rejection in unmatched individuals. This is the first step in generating off-the-shelf stem cells for everybody.
“Dr. Kiessling and her staff have shown their determination to tackle some of the most difficult health problems of our time.”
– Representative Ken Gordon
It is finally all coming together… My career in reproductive biology and AIDS began in 1983, with the goal of understanding the influence of viruses on early embryo development. Wonderful young scientists joined my laboratory for periods of training during the ensuing 33 years, and together we have made many discoveries that bring our laboratory skills to where they are today. We now have the foundation to begin to generate off-the-shelf stem cells for everybody.
Additionally, because we are a nimble institution, we were able to quickly change research direction to take advantage of a new technology, reported in 2013, that allows unprecedented precision in silencing genes. This advance has two immediately practical applications for our “off-the-shelf” stem cell research goals:
(1) It is now feasible to specifically silence the genes responsible for the proteins on cells that cause immune rejection. Just as Type “O” blood can be administered to almost everyone, such a neutralized cell could be transplanted into many individuals without leading to immune rejection. This would be a major step forward in generating “off-the-shelf” stem cells for everybody. Our successful experiments in mouse eggs pave the way to translate the work to stem cells from human eggs. Like blood banks, such a stem cell bank could be available in emergency rooms for acute treatments, such as heart attack, stroke and spinal cord injury.
(2) It is also feasible to replicate the natural mutation in 1% of humans that renders individuals resistant to infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The ability to precisely silence this gene without causing other changes in the cell, in the same way it is naturally inactivated in 1% of humans, paves the way to deriving a library of stem cells resistant to HIV infection. IF those cells can be developed into bone marrow stem cells, and IF those bone marrow stem cells will function normally, they could be utilized as a powerful treatment, perhaps a cure, for HIV disease.
To help guide the work, we have meritorious individuals serving as our Ethics Advisory Board, our Human Subjects Committee and our Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee. Their guidance has allowed us to forge ahead into areas of stem cell development that larger institutions have shied away from because the work cannot be funded by our federal government. The “Dickey-Wicker Amendment” to the budget of the National Institutes of Health is renewed annually and prohibits funds to be used for studies of unfertilized human eggs. We have for years believed unfertilized eggs (“parthenotes”) will be a broadly applicable source of human stem cells.
Human egg research MUST be privately funded, progress depends entirely on private donations. No federal dollars can be used to study activated human eggs or parthenote stem cells. BRF is uniquely positioned to push this exciting field forward! Thank you for your continued support.
Ann A Kiessling, PhD
Director, Bedford Research Foundation
Read about all of the progress and the research that has occurred at the Foundation over the course of the past year, and a retrospective on the past 19! Dr. Kiessling outlines her vision for the upcoming year as well. Thank you for your support.
Founded in 1996 to conduct research that cannot be funded by the National Institutes of Health, Bedford Research scientists have achieved ground-breaking milestones!
See our Timeline of Milestones!
Bedford Research scientists are launching studies to derive new stem cells from unfertilized human eggs. These cells, termed “parthenote” stem cells, are being developed to fulfill the need for “off the shelf” stem cell treatments, analogous to blood banks.
The past decade of discoveries by BRF scientists provide the ground work for the new research initiative. Parthenote stem cells have the potential to develop into all the types of cells needed for therapies: neurons, heart muscle, insulin-producing cells, bone marrow and cartilage cells.
New, exciting gene editing technologies have been used successfully by BRF scientists to remove the HIV receptor (the protein on the cell surface the virus uses to infect the cell) in mouse eggs as a model system. These recent results pave the way to continue the work in human eggs to create parthenote stem cells resistant to infection by HIV, offering the possibility of a cure for HIV/AIDS. The proof of principle of this approach was reported several years ago when an HIV-infected man was
cured following a bone marrow transplant with stem cells from a person naturally missing the receptor for HIV.
The same gene editing technology can also be used to decrease stem cell rejection after transplantation, for example, at the site of a spinal cord injury to help prevent permanent paralysis. Stem cells that could be universally accepted for “off the shelf” treatments of acute spinal cord injury, heart attack or stroke are the goals of the research.
BRF scientists believe that a bank of stem cells will not only be valuable treatments for acute injuries, but also for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and chronic spinal cord injury. Such stem cell lines are also proving to be valuable models for understanding the development of cancers, such as prostate cancer and leukemia.
Important note: To develop parthenote stem cells, BRF scientists will need human eggs donated for research, a controversial topic. The first such donation has been made recently by a generous women who had her eggs frozen several years ago.
On twenty years of progress…
Dr. Ann Kiessling and Ryan Schlosser, July, 2015
With the help of generous philanthropists and medical collaborators, I founded the Bedford Research Foundation in 1996 to address a research need that could not be federally funded — how to help men infected by HIV through tainted blood transfusions have children without infecting their wives and babies. The first “Special Program for Assisted Reproduction” baby was born in 1998. Ryan Schlosser, now 16 years old, visited the Bedford Research lab last summer. As of September, 2015, 246 “SPAR” babies have been born with all moms and babies testing negative for HIV. In 1999, we responded to another research need that could not be federally funded — the derivation of stem cells from unfertilized human eggs. Bedford Research scientists spear-headed the world’s first ethics advisory board
and medical team charged with the task of developing the “gold standard” for women volunteering to donate their eggs for research.
To be clinically feasible, at least 10% of activated, unfertilized human eggs must successfully develop into stem cells. When initial experiments failed to reach this goal, Bedford Research scientists collaborated with colleagues in Greece to discover what genes must be activated in unfertilized eggs to reach the 10% efficiency needed. Our results, published in three landmark reports, have led to the information needed to resume the research. As described in the cover story, the work will need eggs donated by women for research, a controversial topic being considered by BRF ethicists.
The human egg research MUST be privately funded. Due to the National Institutes of Health budget (the Dickey Amendment), no federal dollars can be used to study activated human eggs or parthenote stem cells. BRF is uniquely positioned to push this field forward, and needs to add two additional scientists in 2016 to optimize progress. Progress depends entirely on private donations.
Mouse egg being injected to delete HIV receptor
Two open houses were held in the spring to accommodate biotech and healthcare business and the general public. The ribbon cutting (outside cover) was officiated by Representative Ken Gordon and Senator Mike Barrett, and was followed by poster presentations on projects currently underway. Dr. Joel Lawitts of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dr. Fred Davis of Northeastern University presented their research to a full house. The events exceeded the foundation’s expectations, with over 100 attendees representing local government, businesses, residents and media. New England Nurseries and Whole Foods Bedford supported the event with generous donations.
“Dr. Kiessling and her staff have shown their determination to tackle some of the most difficult health problems of our time and it is exciting that their work will now continue in Bedford.”
– Representative Ken Gordon
Prostate Disease Research UpdatePatient recruitment into the prostate cancer screening project is ongoing, and Bedford Research Scientists have developed methods for including specimens submitted to the laboratory for other types of testing. The goal of the project is to develop semen screening tests that improve diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer as well as reflect overall male health. Urologists from around the country have joined the research.
Over the past year BRF worked with Community Consulting Teams on a strategic assessment to improve communication about BRFs mission and needs. BRF was selected for CCT’s services from among more than a 100 other nonprofit organizations. The study concluded: BRF has an impressive 19-year track record as a successful independent research organization pioneering techniques and innovation. Since research landscape is shifting toward non-traditional models, BRF is well positioned to strengthen its financial resources and build upon its position in the research community.
The Bedford Research Foundation welcomes three new board members to the Board of Trustees: Larry LaFranchi, Ellen Sheehy and Scott Anderson. Mr. LaFranchi brings more than 30 years of business and entrepreneurial experience. His passion for health care is a perfect match for the Foundation’s independent research goals, and his expertise in financial planning and consulting will benefit all aspects of research planning.
Ms. Sheehy is an experienced, analytical entrepreneur with broad experience in strategy development and implementation. She has been a leader in the field of nonprofit healthcare for many years.
Mr. Anderson is an experienced computer developer and technical science writer. He co-authored Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Dr. Kiessling
In 2015, BRF helped sponsor a research fellow, Sebastian Bernabe, in Andulacia, Spain’s new stem cell research center. Formerly a research fellow with at Michigan State University, Dr. Bernabe joined the spinal cord research team developed with Spanish scientists by Dr. Jose Cibelli and Dr. Philip Horner. The goal of the research is to test the safety of another innovative stem cell, “induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells),” derived from skin biopsies, to treat spinal cord injury in a rat model system. The transplant performed Oct 28, 2015 is the result of several years of research. It will take months to know the outcomes
“I am proud and excited to have such ground breaking research in our town. Bedford Research scientists are developing stem cells from eggs, not from embryos, thus bypassing many of the ethical dilemmas associated
with stem cell research.”
-Sen. Michael J. Barrett State Senator, Bedford, MA.
The average cost of each experiment is $90,000. Because much of our overhead is covered by fee-for-service laboratory tests, 92% of every dollar donated goes directly toward these experiments. This innovative funding model allows Bedford Research scientists greater flexibility to move quickly in promising new research directions.
Continued progress requires meeting our annual funding goal.
For the past several months Bedford Research Foundation has been working with Community Consulting Teams (www.cctboston.org) to complete a Strategic Assessment designed to help the foundation strengthen and improve communications surrounding both short and long term research projects. As part of this process, CCT has assisted the BRF in studying the potential future impacts of the work the foundation is doing. On June 9th, BRF and its team of 15 CCT MBA’s will join other organizations CCT has been working with this session to wrap up the BRF project and present findings.
Foundation Director Dr. Ann Kiessling and BRF staff are very grateful for the help and support of this wonderful organization. Below is an excerpt from CCT’s most recent newsletter:
Cutting-Edge Research to Cure Disease (BRF)
CCT is using the varied skills and backgrounds of its consultants to provide a situational assessment of the Bedford Research Foundation (BRF) to inform its strategic plan and future growth. The team is focused on understanding BRF’s mission, history, and current operations by speaking with stakeholders including staff, board members, and funders. In addition, the team is analyzing BRF financials, identifying analogous organizations to determine successful models for growth, and researching potential funding sources.
Dr. Lawitts demonstrates injection of mouse eggs.
A few weeks ago, Bedford Research Foundation hosted two open houses celebrating the foundation’s move to it’s new research facility at 124 South Road in Bedford, MA. The first event was geared toward local businesses and had over 30 attendees including companies from Bedford, surrounding communities, and local residents. The second event on Saturday, May 1st was open to the public and was attended by more than 60 residents and friends of the foundation. Senator Mike Barrett, Representative Ken Gordon, and Bedford Research Foundation Director Dr. Ann Kiessling cut the ribbon on BRF’s new research facility. Barrett and Gordon expressed excitement at seeing the foundation finally “come home” to Bedford after more than 15 years in Somerville.
Both events also provided a significant amount of visibility for the foundation, including coverage by local media outlets like The Boston Globe and The Bedford Minuteman. We at BRF are excited to share these articles with you here:
Bedford Research Foundation opens new stem cell research facility (wickedlocal.com)
Bedford Research Foundation Opens Its New Research Facility to the Public (thebedfordcitizen.com)
INFORMER: Noodles, theater, research, and a seed library (The Boston Globe)
Bedford Research Foundation comes home to Bedford (patch.com)
The Bedford Research Foundation (BRF) is hosting two open houses Thursday, April 30 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm, and Saturday, May 2 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm for local residents and members of the biomedical, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. The event is open to the public and includes a short presentation by foundation director, Dr. Ann Kiessling, as well as demonstrations and tours of the foundation’s new space at 124 South Road, Bedford, MA. Meet staff and board members and find out more about the many exciting projects currently underway. Representative Ken Gordon and senator Mike Barrett will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Bedford Research Foundation is a not-for-profit biomedical institute conducting stem cell and related research to help find cures for diseases presently considered incurable. In the words of board member Victoria Staebler,:
“The stem cell research that BRF is doing is laying the foundation for regenerative cell therapy that could potentially cure not only spinal cord injury victims like him [sic], but an incredible range of diseases, from Parkinson’s to bone marrow cancer.”
Bedford Research Foundation is proud of its many innovative projects in stem cell growth and culture, programs targeted at diseases like prostatitis and prostate cancer, and services for couples living with infectious disease.
Visitors are encouraged to meet foundation representatives, tour the new BRF research and laboratory facility, and learn more about stem cell research – what it is, how far it’s come, and where it needs to go from here.
About Bedford Research Foundation
BRF has been doing cost-effective research to high standards for almost 20 years, demonstrating that individuals can make a huge difference in areas traditionally dominated by universities or government agencies. More information is available on the web at www.bedfordresearch.org/open-house.
From The Bedford Citizen:
The Bedford Research Foundation (BRF), a Massachusetts not-for-profit organization conducting stem cell research for diseases currently considered chronic or incurable, has moved it’s research and laboratory facility to Bedford Massachusetts after being located in Somerville for over 15 years.
Read More›As the result of a generous benefactor, the Bedford Research Foundation has placed a fellow in Spain who is contributing significantly to understanding cellular programming and pluripotency in Stem Cells.
Dr. Sebastian Canovas is a Principal Investigator researcher from the Program for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine of Andalucia, Foundation “Progreso y Salud”, in Seville, Spain. Dr Canovas received his DVM in 2002 from the University of Murcia (Spain) and in 2005 he completed his Master’s degree in Biotechnology of Reproduction in Mammals. During six years (2002-2008) he was working in the group Physiology of Reproduction in embryology, sperm functionality and sperm-oocyte interactions.
Following completion of his PhD, he joined Dr. Cibelli’s laboratory (Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory) at Michigan State University (USA) where his research had been focused on understanding the mechanisms of cellular reprogramming during embryo development and induced pluripotent stem cells production. To elucidate these mechanisms, Sebastian studied the role of a H3K27me3 histome demethylase (JMJD3) in bovine at early embryo development and during human make induced pluripotent stem cells process. Also, he has development a project for enhancing the efficiency in the production of safe iPS cells using episomal plasmids and adult somatic cells.
Now, his team is involved on a project to make transdifferentiation from human somatic cells forwards germinal cells. As a result of his work, he has published more than 12 scientific papers in journals with impact factor and he is collaborating in 6 research grants. Dr. Canovas hopes these studies will help lead to cures of rare disorders and fertility, which are affecting the population but they have not an effective treatment.
Dr. Kiessling discusses rare stem cell treatment for scleroderma.
Read More›Dear Supporter,
In 1996, the Bedford Research Foundation was formed in response to a need for specialized tests and services that were not available anywhere in the world. Today, we still provide these specialized tests and it has led us to a new model of funding:
“The Foundation is a forward thinking institution that covers overhead costs with fee-for-service testing, thus allowing philanthropic donations to go directly to research.”