Stem Cell Bank Is Operationalized in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Dr. Ali Ghasemi, the chief of staff for Stem Cell Research and Application in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, spoke of the operationalization of Stem Cell Bank in this university and announced that the registration for blood donation has started.

According to WebDa, Dr. Ghasemi stated: from mid-August, the university’s stem cell bank is also linked to the world stem cell bank. Hence, the stem cell registration center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences has extended its activities to attract donors. Those who are interest are welcomed to participate in this humanistic plan.

A large group of patients are in need of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) as to their infliction with cancer, genetic and hereditary disorders and immunity disorders. The best givers for transplantation can be from a sister, brother or close relatives. To do so, the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) system must be the same in the donor and receiver. Only in 25% of the patients, there can be a possibility to find a proper giver among their family and relatives.

The head of HSCT ward of Dialysis and Organ Transplantation of Montaserieh Hospital in Mashhad referred to the fact that 75% of the patients are in need of stem cell donors from non-relatives, and pointed out: for this purpose, in order to provide genetic information and considering the genetic status in the province, decisions were made to start saving stem cells from HLA of volunteer givers who are willing to donate their stem cells.

This faculty member of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences emphasized that, no limb or organ is taken from the donor! Only their stem cells would be used. The participation in this plan is completely voluntary and free of charge. The volunteers can quit their participation in the plan any time they wish to.

The chief of staff for Stem Cell Research and Application in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences said that for further information and registration, the volunteer can refer to http://www.mums.ac.ir/stemcell. When necessary, the volunteers are asked to refer to Montaserieh Hospital to do a simple blood test to record their genetic information.

Dr. Ghasemi asserted that the colleagues in registration center will also refer to some organizations and institutions. As the first initiative, this plan was executed among the staff of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) institute (the administrative organization of Imam Reza Shrine) with the purpose of giving information, attracting registration and sampling to disseminate the plan.