"In the beginning there is the stem cell; it is the origin of an organism's life. It is a single cell that can give rise to progeny that differentiate into any of the specialized cells of embryonic or adult tissues."
Cell Therapy and Regenerative Surgery Division
Atherton and
its scientific research partners have, for the past twenty
years, been engaged in the clinical exploration and application of
stem cell therapy for the benefit of people suffering from a variety
of diseases for which the conventional therapies offer little or no
hope of significant improvement. Atherton remains firm in its
commitment to seeing these applications become available to those in
need.
Until very recently most people other than
scientists and medical researchers had never heard of stem cells.
Today it’s impossible to read a newspaper, listen to the radio or
watch television without seeing or hearing something extraordinary
about the advances in health and medicine that stem cells will bring
to our every day lives.
Stem cells are the basic building
blocks of life, the basic cells from which our bodies are made. They
are formed at conception and specialize to become all the different
tissues of the body; muscle, nerves, organs, bone, blood and so on.
Throughout our lives, we tap into our bodies stem cell reserve to
repair and replace injured or diseased tissues. Unfortunately, our
reserve is finite, and as it becomes depleted, we succumb to
diseases, disorders and the ravages of aging.
Because stem cells are
“plastic” – meaning they can mature into almost any other type of
cell in the body, many scientists believe they hold great promise
against a wide variety of ills, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
disease, diabetes, arthritis, spinal cord injuries and
more, even aging itself. According to highly respected
scientists worldwide, stem cell technology is able to counter the
effects of aging and will one day enable us to live healthy lives
far beyond the ages we are able to experience today.
Embryonic Stem
Cells. When a sperm
fertilizes an egg it forms a "zygote", which, to many scientists, is
the ultimate stem cell because it can virtually develop into any
kind of cell. Given its high degree of plasticity, the zygote is
referred to as a totipotent cell. Thirty hours into the
fertilization, the zygote divides its way to a blastocyst. The outer
layer of the blastocyst forms the placenta, while the inner cells
are known as the embryonic stem cells (ESC) that are the precursors
to all the fetal organs and tissues. ESCs can diversify into any one
of 200 types of cells and are hence called pluripotent. ESCs are
highly diverse, but they can also differentiate to form tumors
called teratomas. Following attachment to the uterus, the embryo
grows for 8 weeks, and at that stage is referred to as a
fetus.
Fetal Stem Cells. The stem
cells in the rapidly differentiating fetus are known as fetal stem
cells. These stem cells are far more tissue and organ specific
and are termed as multipotent. Fetal liver tissue has
been found to be a rich source of fetal stem cells. Until
week 12, the fetal and embryonic stem cells reserve the ability
to be transplanted into an individual without being rejected.
Following that period, stem cells develop the Class HLA protein on
their surface that triggers a rejection reaction if the cell
transfer happens to another individual
(non-autologous).
Adult Stem Cells.
Adult stem cells are present in several different parts of
the body. The main sources for these cells are from bone
marrow, the bloodstream, and cord blood. Stem cells derived
from these sources generate the major blood cell types - red and
white cells, as well as platelets. Research indicates
thatthese stem cells may, under the right conditions, exhibit
pluripotency, and differentiate into other tissues. The use of
autologous adipose-based stem cells is also becoming increasingly
popular. Two of the biggest changes facing ASCs are the
quantity available and the potential immune reactivity. INSTITUTE FOR LIFE
SCIENCES
Atherton has access to
years of experience in fetal and embryonic stem cell technology
through its Ukraine-based Institute for Life Sciences that has
specialized in embryonic and fetal stem cell clinical
protocols. The Institute for Life Sciences holds an important
place in the history of Atherton. It also has cross-divisional
affiliations with the Atherton's Clinics Division as well.
The Institute for Life Sciences provides a number of
different stem cell therapy protocols to patients (see below for the
cover of our prospective patient handbook), although its primary
emphasis is on fetal stem cell therapy. Fetal stem cell
therapy can be used extremely successfully in several fields of
degenerative disease, including for anti-aging applications
(rejuvenation/longevity). A large number of patients have been
treated with fetal stem cell therapy, with by current standards,
remarkable physical and psychological improvements. The range
of human diseases currently viewed as candidates for fetal stem cell
therapy is enormous and is continually expanding. Although it
is still considered to be an experimental treatment in the United
States, human fetal stem cell therapy has been performed in many
countries. Rarely has a single treatment modality offered so much
promise to those suffering from some of mankind’s worst
afflictions.
Click here to view the cover of
the Institute of Life Sciences' Prospective Patient Book.
BIOSTEM TECHNOLOGIES
The applications of embryonic and fetal
stem cells are limited because of the nature of the source of the
stem cells - the embryo and the fetus. One way to overcome
that issue is to use adult stem cells, whose applications are
rapidly growing in popularity. To overcome the challenges of
administering adult stem cell therapies, wherein the stem cells must
be extracted from the same person who is undergoing treatment,
Atherton has launched a company called Biostem Technologies that is
based on a revolutionary business model based on an equally
revolutionary therapeutic platform.
Biostem Technologies is a cutting edge stem
cell research company that is imminently poised to take advantage of
the clear and present market potential of adult stem cells.
Biostem Technology is based on a powerful, client-driven,
self-sustaining, revenue generating business model. This
business model will ensure the longevity of the company
and also provide the research and development
framework that is necessary to remain on the cutting
edge of this burgeoning field in human medicine. Founded
on Atherton's long standing experience in the field of stem cell
therapy, Biostem Technology is well positioned to transition several
known stem cell technologies for application with adult stem
cells.
In order to achieve long- and
short-term success, Biostem Technologies has the following
mission:
A. Focused Research
: Clear focus on
targeted research towards specific clinical applications that are
consistent with client needs and demands.
B.
Focused Development:
Translation and optimization of existing clinical
protocols in the arena of embryonic and fetal stem cells, and
their adaptation to adult stem cells.
C. Paradigm-Breaking Innovative
Service:
Provision of stem
cell technology expertise to clinics around the world through a
unique cooperative platform.
D.
Products: Sale of
stem cell and growth factor based products that, in
particular, target the aesthetic community that have
a strong desire to look good and age
gracefully.
E. Immediate
Revenue: Leveraging
existing symbiotic relationships with Atherton affiliate
clinics, and creation of new relationships with independent clinics
and hospitals, to assure a consistent revenue
stream.
Also, click here to view
a chart of
the worldwide presence of current and upcoming
Hope4Life Clinics.
Click here to view the cover of
Biostem Technologies' business overview book.
Click here to
view an organizational chart defining Biostem Technologies and its
relationships with its Atherton, ILS and its customer
base.
Click
here to view a chart
of Biostem Technologies strategic worldwide alliances with
Atherton clinics as well as other emerging relationships with
independent clinics and hospitals around the world.
A partial list
of diseases which could be treated with Stem Cell
Technology includes:
