Netcells first cord blood unit was released for autologous use in the USA for a clinical trial in an emerging therapy. We are unable to release further details at this time due to consideration for the family’s privacy. The significance that this unit was accepted in the USA and successfully infused was due to the fact that Netcells is AABB Accredited with all our testing and processing procedures adhering to the highest of international standards.

When Kyle and Carla Poppleton decided to store their baby’s stem cells in March 2013 they had no idea just how important that decision was going to be. In February 2014, Kyle and Carla’s precious daughter, Paige was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Although they were told it was mild and they were working with both a Physio and Occupational Therapist they began to explore their options regarding a stem cell transplant. Both Kyle and Carla and the team at Smart Cells worked together to provide the hospital with all the information required for a potential transplant and in April 2014, Smart Cells released and shipped the cord blood unit to Duke University in North Carolina, USA for use in a transplant. Kyle and Carla told Smart Cells “We are just so grateful that we had the opportunity to save Paige's cord blood stem cells and let's hope they can make a difference."

Click here to read the latest update from Carla.

For the millions of individuals who have undergone radiation treatments for cancer and other diseases, or for those who can no longer conceive, there is exciting news that may give new hope. Breakthrough research from the Weizmann Institute in Israel has, for the first time, succeeded in creating human ova and sperm, at their earliest stages in the lab. Dr. Jacob Hanna, together with his research student Leehee Weinberger, achieved a phenomenal feat in the world of cellular biology that could translate into baby-making in the petri dish in the not-so-distant future.

Dr. Hanna’s research, published in ‘Cell,’ is one of the most outstanding achievements in cellular biology made in recent years. In summary adult skin cells are reprogrammed into iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) and then into germ cells, using technology discovered by Japanese researchers in 2006.

It is clear that a number obstacles still remain to be conquered before we begin making babies in the lab. For one, the cells must learn the trick of dividing their DNA in half so that they can become viable reproductive cells, sperm and ova, the act that determines the sex of any embryo. However, Dr. Hanna is confident that these obstacles can be overcome, and that the potential for the future of reproduction and fertility is unfathomable.

Click here to read more.

Controversial issues may arise from this technology, as this opens the door to same sex male couples being able to have children genetically related to both partners.

Dr Hanna, acknowledged that it is possible to use skin stem cells from two adults of the same gender to make human egg and sperm cells. Although Dr Hanna says there is still a long way to go before lesbian couples might be able to also have biological babies. He adds that while the process is especially feasible for stem cells from two males, it would be more difficult using two women’s due to the added complexity of having to add a Y chromosome.

Dr Hanna acknowledges that there are ‘very serious ethical and safety issues to be considered’ should the process become possible in the future.

Click here to read more.

Netcells Biosciences now produces and supplies cord blood serum eyedrops called OptiSerum [cb] ™. Umbilical cord blood serum represents a promising therapeutic approach for the healing of damaged corneal and conjunctival epithelium, and symptom relief for severe dry eye.

For more information contact Netcells on
011 697 2900 or visit the Netcells website.

Netcells now offers expectant parents the opportunity to set-up a Netcells Gift Registry on-line. This allows expectant parents to then notify family and friends of the important decision they have made to store their baby's umbilical cord stem cells at the birth as well as offering them the opportunity to contribute towards the total cost.

Click here to find out more about how the registry works.

Netcells Biosciences is giving away free umbilical cord blood stem cell storage (to the value of
R20 900) to one lucky future grandparent to gift to their grandchild.

Click here to find out more about the competition and how to enter.

If your little Netcells Baby is between 0-3 months then don’t forget to enter our Facebook ‘Baby of the Month’ competition and stand a chance to win a R1,000 Baby City Gift Voucher.

Please email photo entries to: catherine.brazier@netcells.co.za with the subject line “Baby of the Month Competition”.

Visit our Facebook page to view our adorable entries so far!

Nia Nieuwenhuizen who was born on 16th January 2015