The umbilical cord is surrounded by a layer of membrane, and this cord membrane also has stem cells, generally called umbilical cord lining stem cells. From this source, it is entirely possible to isolate, differentiate and collect two types of stem cells: mesenchymal stem cells and epithelial stem cells. The techniques for isolating and collecting these stem cells from cord lining was discovered in 2005 by Professor Phan Toan Thang, National University of Singapore.
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from Cord Lining or Cord Tissue are being tested in animals and clinical trials in hospitals and institutes around the world for treating:
Heart disease
Ulcerative colitis
Autism
Cirrhosis of the liver
Stroke
Pulmonary fibrosis
Osteoarthritis
Parkinson’s
Used to support Hematopoietic stem cells engraftment, shorten engraftment time, reduce Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD)
Epithelial stem cells derived from Cord Lining are also under investigation to treat:
Wounds that are not healing
Cornea of eyes after burns
Diabetes by replacing insulin – producing cells
Various types of burns
Tissue trauma
According to CellResearch Corporation (CRC), cord lining membrane stem cells have been applying and researching in hospitals, institutes, and universities in Singapore, such as:
1/ NUH/NUS: Research of CLSC on liver regeneration, heart, hepatic stem cells.
2/ NCC (National Cancer Center): Research of CLSC on Hemophilia A, gene therapy
3/ SGH (Singapore General Hospital): Research of CLSC advanced wound healing
4/ CGH (Changi General Hospital): Research of CLSC on ischemic limps
5/ KK Women and Children Hospital: Research of CLSC on non-ischemic heart failure.
6/ NNI (National Neuroscience Institute): Research of CLSC on neuronal degeneration diseases.
7/ Animal Hospital: Research of CLSC on liver failure, wound care, cartilage degeneration in domestic dogs and cats
8/ Lonza Singapore Cell Therapy Facilities
9/ KenRidgeAsia (Singapore) – KenCare Group: Applying of CLSC in Producing SkinCare, WoundCare and other Stem Cell Products in Singapore, Korea, Vietnam with the brand “P’CELL”, “JuviSkinCare”
10/ Algovital (Korea) Representative in Singapore: Applying of CLSC in producing SkinCare products in Korea with the brand ” ALGOCELL”
11/ CRC SkinCare: Applying of CLSC in producing SkinCare products in Singapore with the brand ” CALECIM”
12/ CordLife: Cord Banking in Singapore and Asia
