The Medical Research Council awards Stem Cell Research Grant to specialist tooth stem cell bank BioEden

05/10/2015

BioEden the pioneers and specialists in tooth cell banking, have won a grant for further research using stem cells from teeth, and will focus on developing clinical applications in orthopaedics and dentistry.

BioEden the pioneers and specialists in tooth cell banking, have won a grant for further research using stem cells from teeth , from the Medical Research Council.

The ‘Confidence in Concept’ Grant awarded to BioEden also includes the Cardiff University School of Dentistry.

‘Over the past few years there has been an explosion in research investigating dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and their ability to regenerate a variety of connective tissues. Dental stem cells are recognised by researchers to be a better alternative to stem cells derived from bone marrow, given that they can be collected non-invasively from naturally shed baby teeth, and are collected when young’, said Tony Veverka Group CEO.

The human body has a high capacity for regeneration in early life, however as the population ages the increased incidence of age-related diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis as a consequence of ageing impacts severely on the healing process, particularly when large volumes of tissue regeneration is required. Ageing also sees the onset of a number of degenerative diseases associated with loss of functioning of the brain, damage to organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys.

BioEden a specialist tooth stem cell bank established in 2006, harvests stem cells from baby teeth, validates and cryopreserves them, so that they are available for the donor if needed in later life.

This collaborative project will focus on developing clinical applications required in orthopaedics and dentistry.