Infectious Disease Program

SPAR received the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Prize Paper Award presented at the The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 2007 Conference.

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Dr. Kiessling gave the talk:"Assisted Reproduction with Sperm from HIV-infected Men"

And she presented a training seminar entitled: "Infectious Diseases And The ART Laboratory: Potential Problems And Solution"

A Not for Profit Laboratory

The Bedford Research Foundation's clinical laboratory is a not for profit, Massachusetts public charity. The laboratory operates on the principle that revenues and information from existing laboratory tests should be used to support research and the development of new tests.
The Special Program of Assisted Reproduction is the only program in the country that uses highly sensitive PCR tests for HIV (and other infectious disease) in combination with "sperm washing" to minimize the risk of transmitting the father's infection to the mother and child during assisted reproduction. These semen tests are also used to monitor HIV and other infectious disease therapy and may help predict therapy failure.

History

Bedford Research Foundation (formerly Duncan Holly) was founded and incorporated in 1996 by Dr. Ann Kiessling, a scientist with more than thirty years of research experience. The current clinical laboratory was established in 1998 in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts. Dr. Kiessling has pioneered several areas of research in reproductive biology and semen transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus which causes AIDS. While in graduate school in the 1970's, Dr. Kiessling studied the life cycle of the family of viruses ("retroviruses") of which the AIDS virus is a member.

The life cycle of retroviruses is so unusual and unique, that the Nobel Laureate, Dr. Howard Temin, postulated a more fundamental role in biology for some of the viral processes. Dr. Kiessling began studies of mouse embryos to test Dr. Temin's hypothesis more than 30 years ago. She continues to pursue her dual research interests in reproductive biology and retrovirus infections.

Bedford Research Foundation was founded to satisfy the need for a research and development clinical laboratory that could facilitate technology transfer from basic science discoveries to clinical test applications. The first need fulfilled was the application of safe ways to handle and analyze semen from men infected with HIV. Methods originally developed with support from federal grants led to the patented process (#5,618,664) which Foundation scientists currently apply to help diagnose male reproductive tract disorders. Methods for testing and preserving semen from men with HIV disease were developed with support from Bedford Research Foundation in the late 1990's. Those methods are now used by Foundation scientists and have assisted dozens of HIV infected men seeking to parent without transmitting their disease to their wives or babies.

The broad expertise in testing semen specimens has led to the development of additional tests that may provide valuable information about overall men's health. A current focus is detection of bacteria in semen by molecular biology methods instead of standard laboratory culture. Studies to date reveal that semen contains bacteria not previously identified. Such studies hold the promise of developing new tests for the health of semen producing organs such as the prostate, which is a site of significant disease in men, including infection (prostatitis) and cancer.

All Bedford Research Foundation revenues are applied to research and development.

Conceiving Ryan, American RadioWorks, American Public Media
By Stephen Smith, Producer/Correspondent
Infertile Because of HIV
The Fertility Race on Minnesota Public Radio
This Month in HIV: A Podcast of Critical News in HIV - The Body
Dr. Ann Kiessling, Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Bedford Research Foundation discusses SPAR.
Seeking a Safe Path Toward Fatherhood
By Lisa Frazier, The Washington Post
Tommy and Dawn Morrison's success - the story of ex-boxer Tommy Morrison's success with SPAR.
 
Bedford Research Foundation is the only laboratory in the country to use PCR tests to look for bacteria in semen. The test detects increased numbers of white blood cells, indicating an infection and may help your doctor treat your prostatitis. 
Rapid HIV Testing in Davis Square - a walk-in, anonymous, rapid HIV testing service every Friday from 10AM to 1PM. Using the Oraquick HIV-1 and HIV-2 Antibody Test, patients can get their results in 30 minutes. The Oraquick test requires only a simple finger prick. more