The College of William and Mary will explore a potential merger that would make Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk the college’s medical school. A joint announcement Wednesday said WM and EVMS have agreed to “exclusively explore” the feasibility and “the implications of such a combination.” No timetable was given for “the necessary due diligence.” Such a merger would require approval of the General Assembly and the governor. “The fact that one of the oldest, most prestigious colleges in the country would consider affiliating with us speaks volumes about the groundbreaking work our faculty, staff and students are achieving every day,” EVMS President Harry T. Lester said in an email to faculty, staff and students. “While we won’t know for some time how this will work out, I think this is a tremendous compliment and an opportunity worth exploring.” WM President Taylor Reveley said in a message to the campus that “the possibility is worth careful consideration. EVMS is an institution we know and respect. Many WM graduates have gone to medical school there. And there has been productive research collaboration between the two schools.” Tucker Marti Read more text

The Medical College of Wisconsin has a $1 million grant to study the use of genetically modified stem cells to treat chronic pain. The grant comes from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The study involves modifying the stem cells of rats derived from their own bone marrow or fat. The cells will be designed to produce painkilling chemicals and will be implanted at the site of nerve damage. The college says neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic pain that often follows a nerve injury. It’s often resistant to painkillers and affects 2 percent to 3 percent of the population. The college’s professor of anesthesiology, Dr. Quinn Hogan, will lead the research, which eventually may lead to an effective treatment for patients with chronic pain. Article source: http://www.twincities.com/wisconsin/ci_21181404/medical-college-wisconsin-gets-1-million-study-pain Read more text

Tweet Email Print The Medical College of Wisconsin has a $1 million grant to study the use of genetically-modified stem cells to treat chronic pain. The grant comes from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The study involves modifying the stem cells of rats derived from their own bone marrow or fat. The cells will be designed to produce painkilling chemicals and will be implanted at the site of nerve damage. The college says neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic pain that often follows a nerve injury. It’s often resistant to painkillers and affects 2 to 3% of the population. The college’s professor of anesthesiology, Quinn Hogan, will lead the research, which eventually may lead to an effective treatment for patients with chronic pain. © 2012, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. Article source: http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/medical-college-to-study-using-stem-cells-to-treat-pain-te69h03-164132056.html Read more text