OHSU scientists and clinicians are working to advance scientific understanding of gene therapy to advance human health. (OHSU)
Oregon Health & Science University established the Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy in 2014. The center, directed by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., is an international leader in advancing scientific understanding in using genetic tools to treat or even prevent the transmission of inherited disease from parent to child, and to treat infertility and age-related chronic degenerative diseases.
- Click for photos and b-roll of the Mitalipov Lab.
- Click to learn more about the OHSU Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy. The center is leading innovation in:
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer: The center has pioneered the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer, which involves replacing the nucleus in an unfertilized human egg with a nucleus from a patient’s skin cell. This line of work raises the possibility of rejection-proof, genetically matched human embryonic stem cells to treat disease.
- Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell: The center developed a germline-therapy technique called mitochondrial replacement therapy to prevent the transmission of genetic mitochondrial disease from mother to child and is evaluating the technique to treat infertility. Further, the center has received federal funding to develop cell therapies for degenerative chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease involving intercellular transfer of mitochondria.
- Heritable gene editing: The center is a global leader in research advancing scientific understanding of gene-editing techniques in embryos to prevent transmission of genetic disease.
- In vitro gametogenesis (IVG): The center is at the forefront of new efforts to address the global health issue of infertility, through a first-of-its-kind method to generate egg cells from skin cells.