A three-year Parkinson’s research partnership will examine whether cells from menstrual blood, placentas and umbilical cords could support new therapies.
The collaboration brings together the University of Sheffield’s Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, known as SITraN, and Liverpool-based cell therapy manufacturer BioGrad.
The research project is being led by Professor Heather Mortiboys and her team at SITraN.
Researchers will use stem cells collected through BioGrad’s women’s biobank, including samples from menstrual blood, placentas and umbilical cords, to produce induced pluripotent stem cells, known as iPSCs.
These are cells that have been reprogrammed so they can develop into different types of cells. Researchers will turn them into neurons, the nerve cells most affected by Parkinson’s disease.
The laboratory-grown neurons will give researchers new models for studying Parkinson’s and testing potential therapies.
Professor Mortiboys, head of neuroscience, said: “It is an extremely exciting time for stem cell replacement therapies in Parkinson’s with clinical trials taking place around the world.
“However, there is more work to be done to understand different sources of cells for this.
“We are excited to be working with BioGrad to investigate their great cellular collection as a potential resource in this area.”
Stem cells are often described as the body’s building blocks because they can develop into several different types of cells.
Stem cell research has improved understanding of conditions including cancer and genetic diseases in recent years.
Menstrual stem cells are abundant, can be collected without invasive procedures and can develop into several cell types. They also multiply rapidly, making them valuable for research and possible therapeutic use.
By creating neurons relevant to Parkinson’s from these cells, researchers hope to better understand the condition and identify new treatment opportunities.
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