Year 1
The Stanford Fertility and Cancer Program preserved ovarian tissues from cancer patients before chemo- and radiation therapy to avoid damages. We have obtained patients’ consent and are promoting the growth of arrested small follicles from ovaries of cancer patients with specific activators to allow the development of large follicles containing mature eggs. The surplus eggs can be used to re-program cell nuclei from patients, thus allowing the generation of patient-compatible pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of diverse degenerative diseases. We are also improving the procedures for the reprogramming of somatic cell nuclei by using electro-fusion, micro-injection, and Sendi virus envelop fusion. After identifying key embryonic hormonal factors important for the optimal growth of human early embryos in the test tube, we will promote the development of re-programmed cells with hormone-enriched culture media for the generation of patient-compatible stem cell lines. In addition to providing pluripotent stem cells for future generation of diverse cells in the body (neurons, muscles, pancreatic insulin-producing cells, etc), the present generation of mature oocytes could benefit cancer patients and diverse infertile women who still have arrested small follicles but are unable to respond to the present gonadotropin therapy.