Dr. Denis Evseenko: harnessing the regenerative power of stem cells

As a boy growing up in Soviet Russia, Denis Evseenko was drawn to the wonders of scientific discovery. Though closed off from many of the resources of the Western world at the time, it was a country that housed its own wealth of scientific institutions and provided a fertile and supportive environment for his inquisitive young mind.   Dr. Denis Evseenko Early in his medical training Dr. Evseenko decided to focus entirely on research into embryonic stem cells, specifically the genesis of mesodermal tissues — a broad definition that includes blood, muscle, bone and cartilage. He was excited about the possibilities inherent in cutting-edge science, but also aware of the often complicated path of translational science. He knew if he were to take the next step, he had to do things differently. “I had a noble vision to develop progressive therapies for the patient,” he said. “It was a very practical vision too, because I realized how limited therapeutic opportunities could be for the basic scientist, and I had seen many great potential discoveries die out before they ever reached the clinic. Could I help to create the bridge between stem cells, research and actual therapeutics?” From the moment he first arrived at UCLA a little over three years ago, Dr. Evseenko has done just that. He is investigating how regenerative stem cells fundamentally connect, relate and correlate to cancer, and he’s developing new stem cell-based treatments for patients with arthritis as wel...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news