Cancer Researchers & Colleagues Earn K-State a Patent for Noncontroversial Source of Stem Cells
Tuesday September 7, 2010
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RECEIVES PATENT FOR NONCONTROVERSIAL SOURCE OF STEM CELLS
Kansas State University has been a issued a patent for a plentiful and noncontroversial source of stem cells from a substance in the umbilical cord.
The patent addresses procedures to isolate, culture and bank stem cells found in Wharton’s jelly — the substance that cushions blood vessels in the umbilical cord. These cells are called cord matrix stems cells and are different than those obtained from the blood cells in umbilical cords. The patent is for work by K-State’s Mark Weiss and Deryl Troyer, professors of anatomy and physiology; Duane Davis, professor of animal sciences and industry; and former K-State professor Kathy Mitchell. Troyer and Davis were the first to find this previously unidentified source of stem cells.