The Healing Miracle - Stem Cells the Future of Medicine

Karachi: A state-of-the-art seminar titled “The Healing Miracle” was held today at a local five star hotel in Karachi. The seminar was arranged by Al Khaleej Clinics in collaboration with Institute of Regenerative Medicine. The seminar was an eye opener about groundbreaking stem cell technology which is a source of hope for millions of patients suffering from various medical conditions.

The stem cell technoilogy is relatively new to Pakistan and AlKhaleej Clinics are now taking it to the next level by not only creating awareness about it but ensuring its availability on a big scale. Al Khaleej clinics performs a revolutionary state of the art treatment method that uses patients own stem cells to help repair the damaged tissue and heal injuries while decreasing downtime and avoiding painful rehabilitation periods typically associated with surgeries.

There were three eminent speakers at the seminar with Prof Murat Ertürk, PhD, chief scientist and stem cell processing specialist coming all the way from Turkey to share his knowledge and experitse. He is a professor clinical bilogy and a specialist in tissue & cell processing & manufacturing. He is a PhD Experimental & Clinical Microbiology from Sheffield University, UK.

The second distinguished expert was Dr. Syed Salman Naeem Gilani, M.D (USA), FACP Stem Cell Consultant with Fellowship in Stem Cell Therapy, Diplomate American Academy of Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine and Director ISSCA – South Asia Chapter from Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Rawalpindi.

The third expert was another distinguished speaker Dr Khalid Mahmud Shah, a consultant Arthrodscopic & Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dr Shah is a highly qualified surgeon with PhD Ortho (Glasgow), Cert. Ortho (Singapore) Cert. Arthroscopy (Tokyo), Dip. Biomech (Strathclyde) and Cert.Ed.med. (Glasgow).

Prof Murat the chief scientist, associated with Turkey’s first and the biggest GMP facility which offers production of cellular and tisue products for clinical use since 2007. He spoke about the Cell therapy using Undifferentiated cells; Mesenchymal stem cells and Haematopoetic stem cells.

Dr Salman in his presentation highlighted the different types of Stem Cells and said that Undifferentiated Stem cells can be Totipotent, Pluripotent or Multipotent. Pluripotent Stem Cells have the potential to become any cell type, he explained. Multipotent stem cells – limited in what the cells can become.

He also discussed the various sources of stem cells Embryo including Umbilical cord, Placenta, Amniotic Fluid and Adult Tissue. He shed light on new research – Reprogramming Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and spoke about Stem cells applications. Stem Cells are the healing miracle providing treatment for Tissue repair, nerve, heart, muscle, skin, other organs, Autoimmune diseases like Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, MS, Cancers, Neurological Diseases, Blood Disorders like Thalassemia, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia. They are also a cure for Heart Failure, Ocular Surface Disease, Cartilage Repair, Liver Disease, Hair Loss and Skin Rejuvenation.

Dr Khalid Shah in his presentation Advancements in Joint preservation- Arthroscopy & stem cells in knee Osteoarthritis. He discussed various conventional methods of treatment available and discussed in detail the use of stem cells in regenerating articular cartilage. He said that MSC can be derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue synovium and is attractive because taken from patient own body thus no immunogenicity and has capacity for proliferation. He also shared the encouraging results of his pilot study.

Earlier the proceedings started with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by a welcome address by Dr irfan Ali Shaikh Senior Consultant, AlKhaleej Clinics. In the end shileds were distributed to the distinguished speakers and the guests followed by lunch.