Scientists have devised a new technique for creating human stem cells by fusing somatic cells with embryonic stem cells. The hybrid cells exhibit characteristics of human embryonic stem cells and can be induced to mature into various specialized cell types. However, technical hurdles remain before this method can be widely adopted.
A trans-Atlantic team of researchers has successfully created embryonic-like stem cells from umbilical cord blood, a breakthrough that could revolutionize the treatment of serious diseases. The new cell type shares characteristics with both adult and embryonic stem cells, making it an attractive alternative for stem cell therapies.
Researchers have created a novel method to propagate mouse brain stem cells, which can either multiply without differentiating or become normal brain cells at the flip of a genetic switch. The technique combines epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor to promote cell growth, enabling scientists to study basic properties an...
The Burnham Institute was selected by NIH to receive a $3M grant for exploratory center in hESC research. The center will support pilot projects, core facilities, and training for scientists.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute find that adult stem cells fuse with muscle cells to form functional tissue, contradicting the long-held idea of transdifferentiation. This discovery has significant implications for stem cell therapies targeting organ regeneration.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati have developed a new chemical compound that can accelerate adult stem cell mobilization, enabling easier harvesting. The findings reveal the RAC GTPase family plays a crucial role in regulating stem cells' movement into bone marrow and blood stream.
Researchers at U of MN identified 14 genes that regulate blood stem cell development, which could lead to new treatments for blood disorders and cancers. The discovery provides insight into understanding how to stimulate blood stem cells to multiply in the laboratory.
Researchers have successfully grown mesenchymal stem cells from human skin, which can be differentiated into three vital tissues: bone, muscle, and fat. This breakthrough could provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and organ regeneration, overcoming problems with immune rejection and tissue shortage.
Researchers used SPECT imaging to evaluate the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in patients with coronary heart disease. The study found that stem cells improved damaged heart function, surpassing improvements from increased blood flow to the affected area.
Researchers at Stanford University have found a connection between aging, infection, and leukemia in blood-forming stem cells. These cells were found to produce fewer immune cells and turn on cancer-causing genes, contributing to the development of certain types of leukemia.
Researchers found that microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and enabling stem cells to pass from the normal stop phase to the stage of replicating their DNA for later division. The discovery suggests that microRNAs may also control cell division in cancer cells, encouraging proliferation.
The Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are collaborating on stem cell research to understand the biology of stem cells. Researchers are working together to identify cancer stem cells and develop cell-based therapeutic strategies for diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new method to transform human neural stem cells into insulin-producing cells. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new ways of transplanting insulin-producing cells into people with diabetes and provide a cure for the disease.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully infused rat spinal cords with brain-derived human stem cells that secrete neuron-protecting protein GDNF. This approach has shown promise in protecting healthy neurons and prolonging life in ALS-ridden rats, paving the way for potential treatment of other diseases.
Researchers have isolated embryo-quality stem cells from adult blood for the first time using a physical characteristic of each cell's stretchiness. This breakthrough technique could revolutionize medical research and treatment by providing an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Researchers have successfully developed a method to mass-produce embryonic stem cells using a bioreactor, which increases cell growth up to 193-fold in just 15 days. This innovative approach has the potential to reduce production costs by at least 80% and increase cell density by several hundred million times.
Researchers have developed a new way to culture human embryonic stem cells without using animal-derived materials, reducing the risk of contamination with pathogens. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective stem cell therapies for treating various diseases.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a gene, oct-4, expressed in normal adult stem cells, which could lead to the development of cancer prevention and diagnosis tools. The study found that adult stem cells with the oct-4 gene are more prone to becoming cancerous than those without it.
Researchers at UCF have found a compound that improves adult human stem cells' ability to develop into brain cells, offering hope for treating Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases. The study's findings also suggest potential for improving vision in patients with glaucoma.
Researchers have identified a new source of mesenchymal progenitor cells in the human umbilical cord's Wharton's Jelly, which can be harvested to generate an abundant supply of stem cells. This discovery has the potential to greatly improve bone marrow transplantation success rates, currently ranging from 30-40%. The new stem cell sour...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered regulatory genes in niche cells instruct stem cells to determine their future path, involving proteins acting as 'on-off' switches for stem cell division. This understanding is crucial for developing stem cell therapies and addressing disorders like infertility and cancer.
Researchers find that adult stem cells are maintained by local environment signals that block gene expression, preventing differentiation. The microenvironment captures cells and prevents them from becoming other types of cells.
Biologists at UCSD have found a fundamental mechanism used by embryonic stem cells to assure that genetically damaged stem cells do not divide and pass along the damage. The discovery reveals that p53, a protein known for suppressing tumors, plays a critical role in maintaining genetic stability.
Researchers have discovered that neural crest stem cells in human hair follicles can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons and cartilage/bone cells. These findings hold promise for treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and bone degeneration.
Researchers transplanted BM-SP stem cells into mice with cardiomyopathy, but found that only 2 muscle fibers expressed restored sarcoglycan levels. The study suggests alternative approaches should be investigated for regenerative medicine.
Recent studies suggest that two chemical signals, Hedgehog and Wnt, play a key role in the development of certain cancers. These signals are also active in normal stem cells that repair damaged tissue, raising the possibility that some cancers may start from these cells with accumulated mutations.
Scientists at Sick Kids Research Institute have identified a new source of stem cells found in adult skin that can transform into neurons, offering hope for treating brain disorders. The discovery was made using mice and has similar findings in human cells.
Cleveland stem cell investigators Stanton Gerson, George Muschler, and Jaroslaw Maciejewski received grants to study the effects of aging on blood stem cells and optimize assays for human stem cells in bone marrow. Their research aims to improve understanding of age-related diseases such as anemia and cancer.
Researchers have identified stem cells in skin that can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types, offering new insights into regenerative medicine. The discovery holds promise for treating hair loss and wound healing.
A new study published in Science suggests that enhancing the homing of hematopoietic stem cells to bone marrow could increase transplant success rates. By inhibiting or deleting CD26, researchers were able to boost short-term homing and long-term engraftment of these precursor blood cells.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified leukemia stem cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia, a breakthrough that could lead to new targeted therapies. The discovery reveals that normal adult cells can mutate into cancer stem cells, which are resistant to chemotherapy and require a specific protein called Wnt to self-renew.
Researchers successfully coaxed human embryonic stem cells into antigen presenting cells that educate the immune system. These cells can control T cell responses, potentially reducing rejection rates for transplanted tissues.
Researchers found that mouse brain stem cells can develop into blood vessel cells, expressing markers associated with endothelial cells. This discovery keeps the possibility open of harnessing adult stem cells from different organs to prevent and treat neurological disorders.
Researchers at OHSU's Oregon Stem Cell Center have discovered that macrophages, not stem cells, can fuse with diseased liver cells to correct genetic liver disease in mice. This finding suggests that transplantation of macrophages alone may be a more targeted and effective treatment approach than traditional stem cell therapy.
A recent study found that the public's opinions on stem-cell research are heavily influenced by poll questions and messaging, with support for embryonic research being lower than expected. The study suggests that the debate is ongoing, with supporters seeking to capitalize on recent events like Ronald Reagan's death.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that adding a single protein, BMP4, induced mouse stem cells to become fat cells. The study suggests that a similar signal is likely involved in humans, too, paving the way for new treatments for obesity and related diseases.
Researchers found that bone marrow stem cells can differentiate into liver cells within days, restoring liver function in injured mice. The study suggests a new approach to treating chronic diseases like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington has identified a gene, ZFP145, that is linked to sperm-producing stem cells in mammals. The study found that this gene plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of these cells, and its mutation can lead to infertility.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that lost sperm-making stem cells in fruit flies can be replaced by reversing their specialized state. The team found that temperature changes can trigger a process called dedifferentiation, where more specialized cells retrace the path taken by stem cells.
Scientists have identified a key gene, Pax7, that regulates the transformation of adult stem cells into muscle cells in injured tissue. The study showed that introducing Pax7 to these stem cells can enable them to differentiate into functional muscle cells and aid in tissue repair.
A study by Lund scientists has shown that adult stem cells cannot form new heart muscle cells after a heart attack. The transplanted cells retain their identity as blood cells and fuse with heart muscle cells outside the infarcted area.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have discovered a molecular mechanism that enhances the ability of stem cells to fight disease. By blocking the function of p18, a molecule critical for cell cycle control, scientists found improved long-term engraftment of stem cells in bone marrow tissue.
The UI Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank provides cord blood stem cells for advancing gene therapy and treating conditions like Parkinson's disease. Nearly 20 mothers have donated their child's umbilical cord blood, supporting scientific and medical advances.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that mesenchymal stem cell shape is a critical factor in determining which type of cell they will become. By using micropatterning technology, the team showed that spherical stem cells efficiently transform into fat cell precursors, while those allowed to stretch and flatten move closer to be...
Researchers successfully converted muscle stem cells into cells showing properties of neurons through the use of an artificial gene. This breakthrough suggests that stem cells may be 'flexible' and able to develop into different cell types, paving the way for potential neuroregeneration techniques.
Researchers discovered that gene BMI1 is essential for the multiplication of stem cells in the cerebellum, leading to an enormous growth of these cells. Overexpression of BMI1 was found in 8 of 12 medulloblastomas investigated, suggesting its contribution to brain tumour development.
The Oregon Stem Cell Center aims to develop therapies using adult stem cells for human diseases through a rapid approach from basic research to animal trials and human studies. The center's focus will be on the liver and pancreas, building on OHSU's existing expertise in cell therapy.
Researchers have discovered that tissue cells in clusters of 4 and 8 can revert to a stem-cell state under specific conditions, working just as well as normal stem cells. This finding could provide a new approach for harnessing differentiated cells to enhance tissue repair, similar to animals that can regenerate lost parts.
Scientists have discovered a synthetic chemical called cardiogenol that can selectively differentiate embryonic stem cells into beating cardiac muscle cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for heart disease and other degenerative conditions.
Researchers found that adult stem cells can repair nerves, but the process is slow and scar tissue hinders healing. The study suggests that manipulating stem cells and growth factors could stimulate nerve regeneration.
Researchers tracked the movement of transplanted stem cells, revealing that they drift throughout the body and settle in specific locations. The study's findings could lead to improved techniques for transplanting bone-marrow stem cells and new therapies for cancer and immunodeficiencies.
A new system has been developed to identify and isolate stem cells, providing a key to understanding regenerative medicine. The discovery offers promise for treating skin injuries, hair loss, and other conditions by identifying stem cells that can create tissue as needed.
Researchers found that Bmi-1 is essential for self-renewal in two types of adult stem cells: neural stem cells from the central nervous system and hematopoietic stem cells. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of cancer development, as Bmi-1's overexpression can promote uncontrolled growth.
A new study found that treating hematopoietic stem cells with parathyroid hormone increases their numbers and improves bone marrow transplantation outcomes. The research team discovered a cellular-signaling pathway called Notch that is involved in the process, which they believe can be exploited to enhance stem cell populations.
Researchers have isolated stem cells from parthenogenic monkey eggs that can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons and tissues. These findings hold promise for developing an unlimited number of neurons for treating Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have made significant progress in isolating skin stem cells, with the discovery that these cells can be found in the basal epidermis layer. This breakthrough has the potential to treat wounds, including burns, by transplanting stem cells directly onto the damaged area.
Brain tumours are difficult to cure despite advances in surgery and drug treatments. Researchers have identified a cancer stem cell that drives tumour growth, leading them to design therapies targeting these cells., The discovery sheds light on metastases and may lead to new targets for brain tumour therapy.
Researchers have successfully differentiated adult bone marrow stem cells into functional dopamine-producing cells, similar to those found in embryonic and neural stem cells. This breakthrough holds promise for developing new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a subgroup of cells in amniotic fluid that express the protein Oct-4, a key marker for human pluripotent stem cells. These cells have shown potential to differentiate into nerve cells and could potentially replace embryonic stem cells, reducing the need for human embryos.
Researchers have developed a method to extend the shelf life of cultured fetal neural stem cells, enabling the generation of enough cells to treat diseases like Parkinson's and ALS. The study characterized long-term neural stem cell lines using gene chip analysis, which may help create customized cells for therapy.