GMRI invited to present to world experts
GMRI senior research fellow, Dr Tinte Itinteang
GMRI scientist Dr Tinte Itinteang recently presented four papers at the 20th International Workshop of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, held in Melbourne this year.
“This biennial international conference brings together the world’s leading researchers and clinicians in a single venue for the latest updates in scientific discoveries and new treatments for vascular birthmarks,” says Dr Itinteang.
“It was a real honour for the GMRI to have four papers accepted for this gathering of prominent international experts.”
While Dr Itinteang presented the papers on behalf of the GMRI, Dr Swee Tan was the invited chair for one of the research sessions. Dr Helen Brasch from the GMRI also participated in the conference.
“A number of the international experts commended us on the novelty of our work during the course of the conference.”
Professor Friedlander, from the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, was one such expert who was particularly impressed with the research carried out at the GMRI unravelling the biology of strawberry birthmarks.
The work that was presented demonstrated novel insights into the stem cell biology of strawberry birthmarks.
“The first presentation built on our earlier work involving angiotensin II, a critical molecule that promotes cellular multiplication in this tumour,” Dr Itinteang says.
In 2010, the team at the GMRI and their collaborators won the prestigious John Mulliken Prize for their discovery of the renin-angiotensin system in strawberry birthmark.
The GMRI team’s discovery underpins the new treatment for strawberry birthmarks using propranolol.
The GMRI’s second presentation involved the changing blood levels of the components of the renin-angiotensin system in patients affected by strawberry birthmarks in response to surgery, propranolol or captopril treatment.
In 2011 the team at the GMRI and their collaborators won the top science prize at the IPRAS meeting in Vancouver for creating red blood cells out of stem cells isolated from strawberry birthmarks.
The GMRI’s third paper demonstrated our ability to expedite formation of red blood cells from these stem cells by adding a molecule called erythropoietin. The GMRI is progressing work in this area and believes that one day blood transfusion will be a thing of the past.
“A number of the international experts commended us on the novelty of our work during the course of the conference.”
The final paper demonstrated the ability of stem cells harvested from strawberry birthmarks to adopt certain migratory characteristics, which is a crucial step for stem cells to form different types of mature cells in the body.
The GMRI has a track record of ground-breaking research into strawberry birthmarks. The team is recognised internationally for this work.
Charley-Jean at three months of age before (left) and five months after (right) propranolol treatment, underpinned by discoveries by the team at the GMRI and their collaborators
