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BSCs keep labs safe and clean

Breaking down acronyms with the experts who work with them day in and day out

October 21, 2019

Robert Hernandez, Director of Quality & Compliance, Advanced Therapies & HCT/Ps, oversees policies and regulatory compliance on the procurement, development and manufacture of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) at BioBridge Global. He answers the question “What is a BSC?”

What is a BSC?

A biological safety cabinet (BSC) is an enclosed lab bench that provides a safe working environment for lab personnel processing microbiological, cell culture and clinical samples. It also controls contamination from spreading into the product or sample inside the BSC.

BSCs also can be used as an aseptic manufacturing environment within a cleanroom for performing critical work, such as filling final product containers.

BioBridge Global uses Class II, Type A2 BSCs, the most commonly used type in labs worldwide.

Scientists create antibodies that could repair tissue

October 14, 2019

Canadian researchers have made an important advancement in creating synthetic antibodies, which could hold the key for the body to repair itself.

The team at the University of Toronto has been working for more than a decade on developing synthetic antibodies for broad applications. The study was published in the journal eLife.

“This is a cool idea to engineer antibodies to mimic key growth factors known as Wnt proteins,” said Scott Jones, Vice President, Scientific Affairs at BioBridge Global. “Wnt proteins regulate stem and progenitor cells. These proteins play a fundamental role in development and tissue repair.”

When an infant needs a blood transfusion

October 7, 2019

It takes a rare blood type from a special group of donors to save an infant: It often is type O-negative and cytomegalovirus-negative.

Rare blood, rare donors

O-negative is the blood type that can be transfused to patients of all blood types, yet makes up only 7% of the population.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes mild to no symptoms in healthy people. CMV is common, with over half of adults being exposed to it by age 40. However, its presence can cause health complications for these tiny patients.

Things done for safety

Two methods are used to remove the virus:

Google bans advertising for unproven stem cell therapies

September 30, 2019

Scientists and organizations developing legitimate stem cell therapies are applauding a change in Google’s advertising policy that will block online ads for unapproved stem cell treatments.

The change prohibits Google advertising for therapies with no scientific basis, as well as ads for treatments based on scientific findings and those in early stages of clinical trials.

GenCure, a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, only works with stem cell researchers seeking approval for therapies through appropriate regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stem cell research goes to outer space

September 23, 2019

Findings from space-based science on stem cells could aid in the development of cellular therapies, tissue engineering and other areas of regenerative medicine.

The low-gravity condition onboard the U.S. National Laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS) will provide an opportunity for the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (MIRM) at the University of Pittsburgh to investigate regenerative medicine and its effect on human health in a new way.

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