MekoStem is the first bank in Vietnam that provides both cord blood and cord lining membrane stem cells preserving services.
In 2005, Professor Phan Toan Thang discovered a new source of stem cells from umbilical cord lining, published the process as well as the specific culture conditions to isolate, culture and then harvest mesenchymal stem cells and epithelial stem cells from cord lining membrane. This finding openned a new window for the researching of stem cells and proved the that human umbilical cord would never stop surprise us with its potency.
2008, the techniques to collect, process, culture and harvest cord lining membrane stem cells were exclusively transferred to MekoStem Stem cell bank from Professor Phan Toan thang and CellResearch Corporation, Singapore. According to the Technology Transfer Agreement, MekoStem is allowed to provide this service in Vietnam and also in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia..
Cord tissue collecting
After finish collecting cord blood, about 15cm of the umbilical cord will be cut, and carefully put into a specific bottle containing nutrient media to keep the cord tissue in good condition during transportation. The cord blood and cord tissue will then put into a transporting box and be brought back to MekoStem for processing.
This procedure can be done seprarately with cord blood collection, and also is a non-evasive method, totally does not affect you and your baby.
Cord tissue processing – stem cells isolating
Based on the transferred technology from CellResearch Corporation, cord lining membranes are separated from umbilical cord and placed on tissue culture plates with cell culture medium specific for the developing of stem cells. The nutrients in these media will stimulate stem cells to grow and move from cord lining membrane to the culture dish. From then, stem cells will develop normally, in case of mesenchymal stem cells, or when put into another kind of medium, can differentiate into epithelial stem cells.
When stem cells reach the desired number, they will be harvested into cryotubes with preservatives and then stored in liquid nitrogen.
Cord lining membrane stem cells cryopreserving
Stem cells are preserved by deep freezing technology. Before being put into liquid nitrogen tank for long-term preservation at -196 degree C, stem cells will be addded preservaties (specialized for stem cells storage) and then applied to a Control Rate Freezers system to help them reduce temperature gradually, avoid damaging to the cells due to temperature shock. This device will lower cells’ temperature until they reach freezing temperature, put cells into “sleep mode”, cease all activities until being awaken by a speacialized thawing procedure.
Each stem cell sample is stored in liquid nitrogen tank equipped with monitors to control and observe the temperature as well as liquid nitrogen level. In case temperature rises or liquid nitrogen lowers to a certain programmed threshold, the system will automatically give commands to load more liquid nitrogen from the main tank of the company to maintain the freezing temperature of samples.
Theoretically, cells when stored at freezing temperature, put deep in liquid nitrogen, will likely last forever. Scientists have proven that stem cells, after storing in liquid nitrogen for 20 years still function perfectly in transplantation. However, currently most banks in the world, as well as MekoStem only sign the initial contract in a maximum of 18 years, corresponding to the time your baby grows into an adult . By the end of this time, the contract will be renewed with participation of the baby’s opinions – biological owner of these stem cells.
