Researchers have developed a new culture system to isolate and proliferate liver stem cells from bone marrow cells, achieving six passages of the stem cells. The method uses a selecting culture system containing cholestatic serum to purify the stem cells, providing an easy and efficient way to separate them.
Researchers discovered that growing mouse skin cells in spheres can lead to generation of cells with properties of cancer stem cells. The study found that mutation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene family led to reprogramming of differentiated cells into cancer stem cells.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found that cells isolated from the eye are not retinal stem cells, contradicting previous findings. Instead, they suggest that re-engineering stem cells to develop photoreceptor cells could be a promising approach to restore vision in people with retinal degeneration.
Researchers at USC have identified a key mechanism that guides the migration of blood-forming stem cells to the bone marrow. The finding may lead to improved efficiency in bone marrow transplants by activating a specific signaling pathway.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have extracted stem/progenitor cells from human testes and converted them back into pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells. These cells can morph into any cell type, offering a potential cure for diseases such as brain neurons or pancreatic tissue.
Researchers at Rensselaer will investigate the role of specific genes and biological molecules in human stem cell function. They aim to understand how to control stem cell development using a range of new technologies.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have uncovered a gene control mechanism that guides epidermal skin stem cells in mouse embryos, tempering the development of the skin barrier. The findings provide insights into therapeutic advances for prematurely born infants with underdeveloped skin.
The Empire State Stem Cell Board has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine $12.7 million to support promising medical advancements, including treatments for sickle cell anemia and obesity. The new grants will help create technologies for cancer, heart and liver disease, as well as age-related diseases.
Penn Vet researchers identified colony stimulating factor 1 (Csf1) as a growth factor that enhances sperm stem cell self-renewal. The study reveals that Leydig cells secrete Csf1, which interacts with the microenvironment to support stem cell function.
Dr. Nagy's method uses a novel wrapping procedure to deliver specific genes, overcoming major hurdles for personalized stem cell therapies. The breakthrough accelerates stem cell technology and provides a road map for new clinical approaches to regenerative medicine.
A new approach to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been developed by Austin Smith's team. They used a single reprogramming factor called Klf4 and a transposable element called Piggybac to persuade partly specialised mouse cells to reprogram into iPS cells.
Researchers at UCR identified all the genes expressed in plant stem cells, providing a global view of which genes are expressed and where within the shoot apical meristem. This discovery can help scientists develop better varieties of crops and understand why stem cells give rise to specialized cells.
A Johns Hopkins engineer is working on coaxing human stem cells to form new blood vessels that could replace damaged tissue in people with heart disease and other illnesses. The researcher, Sharon Gerecht, aims to understand the molecular signals that cause stem cells to differentiate into blood vessels.
Scientists have successfully derived brain stem cells from human embryonic stem cells, providing a continual in vitro supply of diverse types of neural cells. These cells can serve as an inexhaustible source for studying neurodegenerative diseases and possible active agents directly in human neural cells.
Researchers have found that interferon-alpha triggers the activation of quiescent hematopoietic stem cells, which can help replenish blood cells. This mechanism may also be useful in treating certain types of cancer, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified two critical genes, Scl and Lyl1, that work together to maintain a pool of hematopoietic stem cells. These 'sister' genes are essential for the survival and function of blood-system stem cells, and their dysfunction can lead to severe consequences.
Researchers found that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are maintained by a self-renewing program similar to pluripotent embryonic stem cells. This study challenges the notion of LSCs as rare, immature cells and suggests a link between their activation and poor prognosis in leukemia.
Cancer stem cells are more resistant to radiation due to a protective pathway that shields normal stem cells from DNA damage. By blocking this pathway, cancer stem cells become more susceptible to killing by radiation.
Researchers found that ordinary plant cells can replace lost organs and tissue without the need for stem cells, a function previously thought to be exclusive to stem cells. The study suggests that plants can regenerate without stem cells through a process of reprogramming.
Researchers led by Nancy Speck identified the location and developmental timeline of bone marrow stem cell formation in mouse embryos. Understanding this process may help manipulate embryonic stem cells to generate new blood cells for therapy.
Researchers have developed a new technique to mobilize specific types of adult stem cells into the bloodstream using new drug combinations. This method aims to accelerate tissue regeneration and repair in cases of heart disease or sports injuries, potentially treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
A key gene has been identified as a factor in maintaining the potency of various stem cells, preventing them from differentiating into specialized cell types. The scrawny gene modifies chromosomal proteins to silence genes that would cause differentiation, ensuring stem cells remain undifferentiated.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and UC-San Francisco have successfully isolated stem cells from human testes, which can differentiate into various types of tissues. The findings suggest that these cells are not as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells but have unique therapeutic applications.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a way to distinguish between healthy stem cells and cancer stem cells in humans. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer treatments that spare healthy cells.
Researchers at Hebrew University have made significant breakthroughs in reversing brain birth defects in animal models by using stem cells to replace defective brain cells. In their study, Prof. Joseph Yanai and his team demonstrated that stem cells can induce the host brain to produce large numbers of stem cells, repairing damage and ...
Researchers have developed a method to create novel types of stem cells, offering opportunities for expanding research and drug discovery. The technique enables the creation of rat and human pluripotent stem cells with characteristics similar to mouse embryonic stem cells.
Thomson's discovery of human embryonic stem cells and development of induced pluripotent stem cells launched the field of stem cell science. His work has the potential to help find the root cause of disease, test new drugs at the human cellular level, and offer regenerative therapies.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that normal stem cells can give rise to tumors in mature solid tissues, including the intestine. The study identifies Prominin1 as a molecular marker for normal stem cells, which can act as the source of cancerous tumors.
Researchers have identified a group of dormant stem cells in mouse bone marrow that divide only five times throughout their lifespan, equivalent to one cell division in 18 years. These 'sleeping' stem cells can rapidly self-renew and replace damaged bone marrow in emergency situations.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that blood stem cells are made by endothelial cells during mid-gestational embryonic development. This finding has significant implications for the treatment of blood disorders and cancers, as it could lead to new therapies for conditions such as leukemia.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that a quarter of melanoma cells are 'tumorigenic' and can form new tumors, contradicting previous estimates. The study suggests that targeting these rare cancer stem cells may not be effective in treating melanoma.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center discovered dental pulp stem cells can stimulate growth of neural cells, showing therapeutic potential for diseases like Huntington's and Parkinson's. The study suggests dental pulp stem cells may be used in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism involved in the development of cancer stem cells, which can lead to malignant brain tumors. Targeting this signaling pathway with gene therapy may prevent tumor recurrence.
Research reveals a connection between mitochondrial activity and stem cell differentiation, with high-metabolism cells more prone to forming tumors. Administering a mitochondrial inhibitor reduced teratoma capacity in these cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Research shows corneal epithelium contains stem cells that generate two different epithelial tissues, contradicting prevailing opinion. These cells are activated in everyday renewal, while limbal stem cells respond to serious injuries.
Research isolated a subset of pancreatic cancer cells expressing CD44 and CD24, which exhibit lower proliferative index and faster tumor growth rate. Further purification is needed to understand their biological behaviors.
Scientists have identified distinct gene combinations that define different stem cell types, revealing a single key factor controlling their behavior. This breakthrough has significant implications for manipulating and engineering stem cells to treat human degenerative disorders.
Researchers have isolated cancer stem cells using a specific protein that only appears in these cells, opening the door for new therapy targeting them. This could lead to a reduction in cancer recurrence by killing stem cells before they can divide.
Researchers at the University of Utah have identified two early steps in adult stem cell differentiation using DNA 'tattoos' on planarian cells. The study found 259 genes associated with stem cells and their daughters, shedding light on how multipotent stem cells take differentiation decisions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new classification system for identifying pluripotent stem cells in human tissue. By analyzing global gene expression profiles from 150 human stem cell samples, the team discovered a protein-protein network common to pluripotent cells, pointing to a key building block of their transfo...
Research reveals that certain adult stem cells are more active than previously thought, actively controlling their behavior through the interaction between laminin A and integrins. This interaction enables follicle stem cells to remain in place, primed for division, by laying down laminin A to build their own niche.
Rutgers University has received a $3.2 million grant from the NSF to equip experts in fields such as cell and molecular biology, computational modeling and biomaterials to move stem-cell breakthroughs from the biology lab into practical therapies. The program will also support training for underrepresented minorities and enhance divers...
Scientists have identified a crucial protein called Lnk that regulates the growth of stem cells in the bone marrow. The findings may aid in improving the success of bone marrow transplants and developing better treatments for blood disorders such as aplastic anemia and severe combined immunodeficiency disorders.
Dr. Kevin Eggan's breakthrough discovery marks the first time scientists have replicated specific human cells affected by ALS in a laboratory setting. The New York Stem Cell Foundation funded his work and will continue to support him.
Researchers have successfully differentiated pluripotent stem cells from a patient with ALS into motor neurons and glia featuring an ALS genotype, offering new avenues for drug discovery and understanding the disease process.
Researchers at the University of California-Irvine have discovered that adult stem cells in the mammalian brain originate from ependymal cells lining the ventricles. These cells can be coaxed into dividing, providing a promising approach to treating neurological disorders and injuries such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that lower belly fat contains higher concentrations of adult stem cells than other body areas. This discovery holds promise for future treatments using stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissue, including conditions like breast cancer and Parkinson's disease.
A team of scientists at the Salk Institute found that specialized testis niche cells in fruit flies originate from adult stem cells. This breakthrough has implications for regenerative medicine, aging research, and cancer therapeutics. The study suggests that once a fly becomes an adult, some stem cells can replace their supporting nic...
New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council explores standards in stem cell research, balancing scientist autonomy with data comparability. The study suggests that standardizing practices could lead to automation technologies, but also raises concerns about exclusivity and robustness.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have successfully transplanted muscle stem cells into mice with muscular dystrophy, improving muscle function and replenishing the stem cell population. This breakthrough study demonstrates the potential of stem cell therapy for treating degenerative muscle diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Scientists have identified 22 genes that control embryonic stem cell fate, which could accelerate the use of stem cells in therapy and disease treatment. The genes help maintain a memory of stem cell identity, allowing them to correctly read signals that determine cell type.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that HER2-positive breast cancers have four to five times more cancer stem cells than HER2-negative cancers. The drug Herceptin was shown to reduce cancer stem cell numbers by 80 percent, targeting and destroying these cells.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have successfully directed mouse embryonic stem cells to build the heart using the Mesp1 gene, a crucial discovery that may lead to new therapies using human stem cells. The study found that Mesp1 regulates cardiovascular fate restriction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in differentiating ES cells.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery by reprogramming adult brain stem cells into support cells in their natural environment. This achievement opens up new avenues for treating neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and epilepsy.
Researchers developed a method to track mesenchymal stem cells in tumors using noninvasive molecular imaging technology. The technique offers promise for personalized medicine and gene-modified stem cell therapies to fight cancer.
Researchers discover at least one or two additional types of adult stem cells beyond Bmi1-expressing cells, found primarily in the upper third of the intestine. This finding complicates stem cell therapy for diseases such as Parkinson's and heart disease, requiring recognition of organ-specific stem cell complexity.
Researchers at UCLA identified a type of leukemia stem cell and uncovered the genetic mechanisms that cause normal blood stem cells to become cancerous. This discovery may lead to new therapies targeting these stem cells, potentially curing certain cancers.
Researchers at USC have discovered a method to keep embryonic stem cells undifferentiated by shielding them from differentiation signals. This breakthrough could lead to the large-scale production of specialized cells for future therapeutic use.
Researchers have identified a specific gene expression profile of prostate cancer stem cells, revealing key pathways and potential therapeutic targets. The study's findings offer new hope for treatments targeting the rare but aggressive cancer stem cells.
The University of California, Santa Barbara will receive a $3.2 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to develop a state-of-the-art stem cell research facility. The center aims to foster interdisciplinary research and translation of stem cell-based therapeutics for human diseases.