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Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

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Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#61

Post by markkat »

estroz wrote: post #33
markkat wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. There may be few pluripotent cells in what we collect, but the majority of stem cells collected are multipotent (mesenchymal and hematopoietic lineages). 2. We haven't been cryopreserving stem cells for 60 years, so that is impossible to know. However, there is evidence that bone mesenchymal stem cells can be stored for more than 20 years: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22280954 In my own experience, I have u…

In response to answer 2: how do you account for the risk of storage invalidating stem cells after 60 years, if you've only experienced useful 30 year-old cell lines? Put another way, why would I pay $7,000 if neither you nor I knew if my cells would still be useful to treat disease when I'm 80, assuming I stored them at 20? Do you have a method of propagation in intervals, ex. thaw, expand each set of cells every 10…

We aren't propagating at intervals currently. However, it's something that could be done; batch samples could be set aside for that purpose alone, also, one control sample could be divided and tested every 5 years. It's an interesting question: if I culture my cells after 20 years, then preserve them for 20 more, is the viability higher than 40 years of preservation alone?

Thanks for the question.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#62

Post by markkat »

loceng wrote: post #53
lquist wrote: post #21

I thought extracting bone marrow was very painful. Can you comment on the procedure and pain involved?

The speed of extraction helps determine the intensity. If it's very slow it's a mild sharp pain - difficult to describe otherwise. If it's extracted too quickly that mild sharpness becomes super intense. It's an interesting experience.

The discomfort is difficult to describe. I best describe it as a cramp. We believe that the negative pressure is in part to blame, and we have filed IP on a possible solution.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#67

Post by markkat »

vagab0nd wrote: post #64

How does the amount you take compare to the total amount of stem cells I have in my body? Does the process have any negative effect on my short term and long term health?

We collect 60mL, less than 10% of what may be drawn in a bone marrow donation by this method, of which there are no known deleterious effects. Our physicians suggest you take it easy for a day or so, but aside from a tender spot, recovery is almost immediate.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#68

Post by markkat »

kirillzubovsky wrote: post #65

Curious, instead of storing your own blood, can you somehow benefit from the stem cells of your children when they are 18? #askingforafriend

In most cases, you cannot. Cells that are not your own are cleared from the body or rejected in a short time.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#69

Post by markkat »

weishigoname wrote: post #66

this is very interesting, how long can our youthful stem cells keep alive ? Is it that possible youthful stem cells get old, too, or malfunctioned ?

Outside of the body in culture? They do seem to age if grown for very long periods of time. This is why we cryopreserve them, it essentially freezes them in time.

Re: Launch HN: Forever Labs (YC S17) – Stem-Cell Banking

#70

Post by cvsh »

markkat wrote: post #8
epalmer wrote: post #3

How old is too old to use my stem cells/ I'm 64 in 2 weeks.

The decline in functionality begins to be detectable between 20-40, and accelerates with age. This study has a number of measures regarding bone mesenchymal stem cells (which are included in what we collect and store): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18248663 Ideally, we all store at 18. However, my mother just stored at 70. Her mother lived to 93, and two of her aunts over 100. She decided that in 10 years, she…

I'm sure it was free for your mother, because she is your mother, so why wouldn't she?

For the rest of us who have to pay, what are the realistic odds a 64-year-old will get any sort of benefit out of banking stem cells?

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