Science Media Centre

NZBio 2011 saw an update from Professor Bob Elliot of Living Cell Technologies, which is undertaking trials in New Zealand to treat diabetes sufferers. Click below to listen to the podcast of Dr Elliot’s talk (the first few minutes are unfortunately missing)

DNA Pioneer in SMC briefing As New Zealand forensic scientists prepare to mark 20 years of DNA testing in New Zealand the Science Media Centre is pleased to host an online briefing for journalists featuring one of the founding fathers of DNA forensics, Dr Peter Gill. As this Times article explains, Dr Gill was part [...]

The first patient to have pig islet cells transplanted as part of LCT’s Diabacell clinical trials, has been able to reduce the amount of insulin he has to take daily. An excerpt: (read in full here) “The clinical trials of the Living Cell Technologies product – pig islet cells wrapped in a seaweed-based gelatine to [...]

Unlimited interviews Young Scientist of the Year, Victoria University’s John Watt, and looks at the potential for the science sector in loosening regulatory controls on scientific research, particularly in the areas of health and genetic modification of crops…

Yesterday, Living Cell Technologies announced the successful first implant of its DIABECELL® in Auckland. This is the first of 8 such implants to be carried out in New Zealand as part of clinical trials for the treatment, which has been designed to normalise the blood sugar levels of people with type I diabetes.  It makes [...]

UPDATE: Living Cell Technologies, a New Zealand-based biotech firm, has just announced that it is commencing trials on a potentially revolutionary diabetes treatment. The treatment will be based on xenotransplantation – the transplantation of animal cells, tissues or organs into human patients. In this case, LCT has been granted approval to transplant pig islet cells [...]