A TALK on “Relevance of Cord and Cord Blood Stemcell Banking” was arranged on 31st October, 2006 at 6.00 PM at Bangalore International Centre. Mr. Ambar A Rao, Executive Director, Cryo Stemcell Karnataka Pvt. Ltd., presented the talk on the subject through a power point presentation.

Mr P R Dasgupta, Director of the Centre introduced Mr Ambar A Rao.

Various invitees participated apart from the members from the Bangalore International Centre.

Mr Ambar A Rao, in his talk deliberated about Relevance of Cord and Cord Blood Stemcell Banking as below.

He talked about the process of Fertilisation and the stages of Embryo, and explained that Stem cells are basic cells that can develop into specialised cells during foetal development. They form part of the immune system. They are pluripotent in nature.

Sources of Stem Cells

He indicated that the sources of stem cells are Embryonic Stem Cells, Bone Marrow Stem Cells (Adult), Umbilical Cord & Cord Blood Stem Cells (Adult)

Diseases treatable with Stemcells:

Limb Amputations, Neurological Disorders, Spinal Cord Injuries, Heart Disease, Burns, Diabetes can be effectively tackled with stemcells.

Shri Rao outlined the application of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells (Haematopoietic Stem Cells) as under:

	Blood related disorders
	Leukemia (Blood Cancer) Aplastic Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia Thalassemia Hodgkin’s Disease Hunter’s Syndrome

	Neural Disorders
	Parkinson’s Disease Spinal Cord Injuries Stroke Alzhiemer’s Disease

	Others
	Diabetes Cardiac Problems (Myocardial Infract) Ischemic Limb Muscular Dystrophy Liver serosis Multiple Sclerosis

Shri Rao pointed out that there are two types of cord blood banking:

Autologus Banking
Allogenic Banking

Note: HLA Typing is Very important for allogenic banking

Under the current system in India, only Auologous banking activities are going on. There are ethical, moral and legal issues on Allogenic Banking which are yet to be resolved. Also Allogenic Banking requires Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) typing which has its own attendant problems of matching and appropriate storage of stemcells.

Talking about Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Shri Rao stated that

Mesenchymal Stem Cells are present in Wharton's Jelly of Umbilical Cord
They don’t have HLA on their surface
HLA Typing is not required
They Can regenerate Muscle, Cartilage, Bone
So these cells can treat many disorders related to Muscle, Cartilage, Bone

Disease Treated By Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Bone deformities
Arthritis
Cardiac Infarct (Heart Attack)
Muscular Dystrophy
Multiple Sclerosis
Immuno modulator in Bone marrow transplantation

Mr Ambar Rao further explained the process of collection and storage of Cord Blood Stem Cells.

The presentation was followed by a lively discussion. Mr Ambar Rao answered to certain queries of the audience on the Cord Blood Stemcells The Talk ended with a vote of thanks by the Director of BIC, Shri P R Dasgupta.