PerkinElmer and Miracle Babies to conduct stem cell research

PerkinElmer has announced plans to collaborate with not-for-profit organisation Miracle Babies to conduct research into new stem cell collection methods.

The science company's family cord blood banking business ViaCord will work with Miracle Babies to study methods of maximising the effectiveness of collecting umbilical cord blood and cord tissue stem cells following premature births.

This collection method is considered less controversial than other stem cell techniques, offering a source of genetic material that can be used to study a wide array of conditions facing premature babies.

Meanwhile, participating families at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns in San Diego will benefit from having their genetic material stored, for potential future medical use for their children or family members.

Morey Kraus, chief scientific officer of ViaCord, said: "We hope to improve therapeutic options in this particular demographic where access to stem cell therapies has been historically challenging, yet have the potential to be especially beneficial."

Last month, PerkinElmer expanded its commercial abilities with the acquisition of Caliper Life Sciences.