Stem-cell research center inaugurated in Brazil

Brazil's National Institute of Orthopedic Trauma (INTO), located in Rio, inaugurated on Thursday its stem-cell research center.

The Orthopedic Bioengineering and Cellular Therapy Research Center (CTCel) will start treating patients with the new techniques developed in August.

Brazil's Ministry of Health has invested 326,000 U.S. dollars in the new project and will provide another 109,000 dollars for purchasing equipment.

CTCel has been authorized by Brazil's Research and Teaching Division to begin treating patients in three research lines: non-consolidated fractures, prosthesis revision and revascularization of bone necrosis.

The treatment will be done following researches made in foreign countries with adult stem cells extracted from the patient.

"We still have not chosen which line of treatment we are going to invest in first. We will only define this in July," said INTO chief Sergio Cortes. "But we know we will start one at a time," he added.

Around 30 patients will take part in the research. INTO intends to adopt the treatment with its regular patients if the research works out.

"Brazil is very much dependent on foreign technology in the health area. These kinds of projects help reduce this dependence and develop scientific knowledge internally," said Brazil's Secretary of Health Attention Jose Gomes Temporao.

"This is a strategic sector for Brazil," he said.

Source: Xinhua