Professor receives stem cell technology patent

Researchers at UCF have patented pioneering stem cell technology that pushes scientists closer to cures for neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

This new method, called induced pluripotent stem cell, or iPSC, technology, enables scientists to create millions of adult stem cells for use in regenerative medicine.

The research team, led by Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya, filed the claim for the patent in October 2005 and finally received it last month.

Many scientists regard stem cells as the keys to unlocking cures for age-associated diseases, primarily because of their natural flexibility in adapting to what the body needs and their ability to quickly multiply by cell division. By manipulating this flexibility to conform to what the patient needs, scientists can replace missing or damaged cells with a limitless supply of stem cells, which can repair the damaged parts of the body.

UCF's patent hurdles several ethical obstacles that were preventing scientists from exploring the limits of stem cells. When creating stem cells, there was a risk of triggering cancer in the patient. Scientists were using several different genes to manufacture these cells, but they still proved unpredictable.

But Sugaya and his colleagues at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences discovered that by using only one gene, NANOG, they can generate millions of the type of cell they want without the risk of cancer. With this technology, Sugaya and his team hope to test the capabilities of their manufactured stem cells and hopefully begin to cure numerous diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

"Stem cells are the building blocks, the foundation for our research," Sugaya said. "Although [adult stem cells'] capabilities are limited, we can use this technology to push those capabilities and make them do more things."

Sugaya, a professor at UCF's College of Medicine, has received 31 patents since he came to UCF in 2004, and he has been studying neuro-degenerative diseases for almost 30 years. In his eyes, stem cells are the next step in regenerative medicine, and not just for age-related sicknesses.

"In the future, if you lose your limb," Sugaya said, "with stem cell technology, we should be able to replace it."

Although he hopes that UCF's College of Medicine benefits from this patent, for Sugaya, it's part of a larger plan. His goal is to manufacture stem cells and market them to the public through his biopharmaceutical company, Progenicyte.

In 2008, Sugaya founded the company, which is licensed by UCF, to help distribute potential cures consisting of modified stem cells. Progenicyte will also help with the mass production of these stem cells in a safe and clean facility.

As one of only two stem cell researchers at UCF, Sugaya also hopes that this patent will increase awareness of this particular field of regenerative medicine, and possibly lead to increasing the number of research personnel at the Burnett School.

In March 2010, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional association that assesses technological innovation and achievement, ranked UCF third in the nation for its number of patents and the impact they would have on the economy. The university was ranked ahead of prestigious research schools such as the California Institute of Technology and Harvard University. In the previous year, UCF garnered 51 patents through its various institutions and programs.

Junior biology major Ema Ashley is excited about what this patent means for the future of UCF's College of Medicine.

"I hope it'll bring a lot of national, if not international attention, to the doctors and scientists at our facilities and the great work they're doing there," she said. "Stem cell research is a hot-ticket item, not just for these scientists, but for the people afflicted with those diseases as well."