Noninvasive cell-tracking methods enable assessment of stem-cell based therapy safety and efficacy. Current tracking methods for transplanted stem cells include reporter-gene based, exogenous contrast label-based, and multimodel imaging techniques.
A team of biologists at New York University found that plants can reconstitute their stem cells from mature cells by replaying embryonic development. This process involves the recruitment of specialized cells to create a new set of stem cells, highlighting the importance of tissue behavior over stem cell properties.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new method for preparing and labeling mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that allows them to be tracked using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This breakthrough technology uses a bio-mimicry approach to create an environment similar to the body, enabling MSCs to internalize iron-ox...
A new literature review assesses the benefits of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries. Different types of stem cells show varying degrees of effectiveness in restoring function, and an ideal treatment protocol remains unclear.
Research found that heterochromatin organisation in embryonic stem cells is maintained in an open form through the action of key stem cell factors. This open architecture may contribute to keeping stem cells unspecialised and full of developmental potential.
Scientists at McMaster University have made a breakthrough in understanding the regulation of human blood stem cells, allowing for better control and regeneration. The discovery could lead to more people receiving treatment for life-threatening diseases, reducing healthcare costs and wait times.
Biologists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered that the Hippo signaling pathway controls quiescence in Drosophila neural stem cells, regulating growth and cell division. The pathway's activation is necessary to maintain resting phases and prevent premature cell formation.
Researchers have developed a stem cell repair system similar to salamander limb regeneration, capable of regenerating human tissue damaged by injury, disease or ageing. The technique involves reprogramming adult fat cells into induced multipotent stem cells (iMS) that can repair multiple tissue types.
Researchers found that cancer stem cells multiply through the same mechanism used by embryonic stem cells, encouraged by low oxygen levels. The discovery could offer a path to targeting cancer stem cells and reducing their threat in human cancer.
A study by Lund University researchers has identified four key genes that govern the growth and multiplication of blood stem cells. The discovery sheds light on how to expand these cells for transplant and potentially develop new cancer treatments.
Scientists have developed a novel approach to track neural stem cells using microscopic iron beads and magnetic resonance imaging, allowing for non-invasive tracking without harming the cell. The findings focus mainly on neural stem cells but also show potential for use with mesenchymal stem cells.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully generated a new type of embryonic stem cell carrying a single copy of the human genome. These haploid stem cells are pluripotent and retain a single set of chromosomes, offering a powerful tool for genetic analysis and potential therapies for diseases.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have successfully generated a new type of human embryonic stem cell carrying a single copy of the human genome. These 'haploid' stem cells show potential as a powerful tool for genetic analysis in biomedical fields such as cancer research and precision medicine.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a new type of induced Xen (iXEN) stem cells that can be created by reprogramming mature adult cells. These cells have unique properties and can shed light on reproductive diseases, potentially leading to advances in regenerative medicine.
A high-fat diet drives a population boom of intestinal stem cells and generates a pool of other cells that behave like stem cells, leading to an increase in tumor formation. The researchers found that the high-fat diet changes the biology of both stem cells and non-stem-cell populations, ultimately resulting in more tumors.
A high-fat diet drives a population boom of intestinal stem cells and generates a pool of 'stem-like' cells that can give rise to tumors. The study suggests a link between high-fat diets and increased colon cancer risk by altering the function of intestinal stem cells.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified 17 new genes that regulate hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. The study found that the Foxa3 gene plays a crucial role in repopulating blood-forming stem cells after transplantation, offering hope for improving transplant outcomes and reducing mortality.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have identified a population of stem cells capable of repairing skull formation and craniofacial bone repair in mice. This discovery contributes to an emerging field involving tissue engineering that uses stem cells to replace damaged bones in humans.
A new seaweed-based solution has been developed to transport stem cells and treat wounds, offering a low-cost and effective alternative to current methods. The alginate gel protects the stem cells from environmental damage, preserving their viability for up to three days at room temperature.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discover a new signaling mechanism that instructs cells to become stem cells during embryonic development. The finding suggests that stem cells may exist before the niche is formed and has implications for understanding skin cancer treatments.
The study reveals that the source of stem cells used for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with bone marrow failure varies worldwide. Bone marrow is predominantly used in the Americas and Europe, while cord blood and peripheral blood stem cells are more commonly used in other regions.
EPFL scientists have developed a gel that boosts the ability of normal cells to revert into stem cells by simply squeezing them into shape. This method paves the way for large-scale production of stem cells for medical purposes, offering new ways to treat injuries and diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.
Human pluripotent stem cells have been shown to develop normally when transplanted into an embryo, offering new hope for regenerative medicine treatments. The study provides strong evidence that stem cells are likely to be safe and effective for treating serious conditions like heart disease and Parkinson's disease.
A breakthrough study has found that a bone drug can protect stem cells from the effects of ageing, extending their lifespan and maintaining their function. The drug, zoledronate, reduces DNA damage in mesenchymal stem cells, enhancing their survival and repair capabilities.
University of Oregon scientists have identified a molecular change in aging stem cells that stops them from making tumors. The discovery, detailed in the journal Current Biology, focuses on the larval stage of fruit fly development and reveals that a protein called Eyeless plays a crucial role in regulating Notch signaling.
Adult stem cells adjust proliferative activity in response to various signals through intracellular calcium signaling, revealing a master regulator of stem cell activity. Elevated Ca2+ levels regulate stem cell division and growth in response to L-glutamate, infection, and tissue damage.
A new study offers insights into how ovarian cancer grows, revealing a patterned hierarchy of cancer stem cells. The research identifies a key protein, BMP2, that regulates the growth of these stem-like cells. Targeting this protein could lead to more effective therapies for ovarian cancer.
Researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered a delicate balance between three key transcription factors that determine the fate of trophoblast stem cells. This balance, rather than the presence or absence of individual factors, dictates whether stem cells self-renew or differentiate into specialized cell types.
Recent stem cell research has made significant progress in deriving induced pluripotent stem cells from various sources, including adipose tissue-derived cells. The study also explores epigenetic roles in somatic reprogramming, embryonic development, and disease treatment. Researchers have identified critical factors for efficient gene...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a microfluidic device to sort neural stem cell populations, making them easier to study. The device uses inertial forces to isolate single stem cells, reducing stress on the cells and preserving their multipotency.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Karolinska Institutet have cast doubt on the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating female infertility. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stem cells cannot generate new egg cells, rendering the treatment unreliable.
Researchers at TUM discovered that blood stem cells renew themselves through interaction with surrounding tissue cells, which influences the microenvironment. This feedback loop is essential for maintaining stem cell pool replenishment and has implications for treating leukemia.
The Prkci gene plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types. Without Prkci, mouse embryonic stem cells overproduce stem cells, leading to an abundance of secondary structures.
A study led by Mount Sinai researchers identifies zinc finger protein 217 (ZFP217) as a factor that regulates stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, potentially balancing medically useful qualities for therapeutic applications. The discovery builds on understanding epigenetic mechanisms controlling gene expression.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that some human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are genetically identical to human embryonic stem cells (ES cells), suggesting they may be used interchangeably.
Researchers at RIKEN have discovered a method to maintain immune cells in a stem cell-like state by inhibiting differentiation, allowing them to proliferate extensively. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for regenerative medicine and immune therapy.
Researchers at IMIM have found that Notch protein activation intensity determines cell fate, revealing a competition between two proteins for hematopoietic stem cell formation. This study could lead to more efficient and reproducible lab-grown blood stem cells for patients with no compatible donors.
A Johns Hopkins University biologist has made significant progress in understanding the mysterious shape-shifting ways of stem cells. The study found that an enzyme in the niche where stem cells are found can help sustain them and promote other cells to become like stem cells, which has medical implications for diseases such as cancer.
Researchers from IMCB identified 303 genes linked to proviral silencing, revealing coordinated mechanisms involving multiple cellular pathways. The study found that Chaf1a and Sumo2 are the key factors controlling this process, with potential implications for stem cell therapy and disease diagnosis.
A new strategy using porous, transplantable hydrogels has experimentally improved bone repair by boosting the survival rate of transplanted stem cells and influencing their cell differentiation. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced regenerative therapies for various tissues and organs.
A new method of harvesting and growing lung stem cells has been developed by researchers at NC State University, which could provide an effective treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study used a multicellular spheroid environment to enrich adult lung stem cells, which showed promise in mice trials with reduced inflam...
Researchers from Drexel University used image-tracking technology to study the development of neural stem cells in mice, finding intrinsic differences between anterior and posterior stem cells that could explain how areas of the cortex develop into specialized structures. The discovery was made possible by powerful biological tracking ...
Researchers discovered that cell programs controlling normal mammary gland stem cells differ from those regulating cancer stem cells, which arise in a distinct layer of tissue. This finding could lead to new cancer treatments by targeting the specific differences between normal and cancer cells.
A research group in Japan and Korea found that certain dipeptide species support CML stem cell activity. Pharmacological inhibition of nutrient uptake decreased CML stem cell activity in vivo, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for CML therapy. This discovery may provide concrete benefits to patients with CML.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to precisely control embryonic stem cell differentiation with beams of light, revealing an internal timer within stem cells that lets them tune out extraneous biological noise. The technique enables stem cells to transform into neurons in response to a precise external cue.
Researchers discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial cells without immune rejection. This finding provides hope for the development of human stem cell therapies to treat macular degeneration, a condition affecting 30-50 million people globally.
A new study using human embryonic stem cells suggests that early exposure to bisphenol A may lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. The research found that BPA caused the development of prostate organoids to produce an overabundance of prostate stem cells, which could be a risk factor for cancer.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a fully synthetic substrate to grow billions of human pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of 'stem cell factories' for clinical use in treating heart, liver and brain conditions.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that a ring of protein actin forms between daughter cells to block cytokinesis, controlling when and how this process coordinates all cell players in sperm maturation. The study sheds light on the coordination of stem cell types in niche environments.
Scientists propose using embryonic stem cells to repair damaged lung tissue, with successful results in mouse models. The study overcomes a major obstacle by harvesting stem cells from the ideal time frame for lung regeneration.
Accelerating the G1 phase transit of human blood stem cells significantly improves their function and promotes prolonged continuous production of mature blood cells. This study reveals a crucial regulator of hematopoietic stem cell function, which may contribute to functional defects in aged mice or elderly humans.
Researchers used new methods to compare two stem cell types and found one superior at producing retinal cells. The study demonstrates a standardized method for quantifying effectiveness, which could advance treatments for age-related macular degeneration and other vision loss disorders.
A new method has been discovered to culture stem cells, allowing them to grow twice as fast and be more efficient in regulating the immune response. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for transplant patients by reducing side effects of current immunosuppressant drugs.
Researchers identified microtubule-based nanotubes in stem cells that tap into the niche, enabling specific signaling for self-renewal. This discovery sheds light on how stem cells reproduce and miscommunication can lead to diseases like cancer.
A study published in Cell suggests that adult neural stem cells are pre-programmed to make specific neurons before birth, contradicting the long-held assumption of their potential for neural repair. The researchers found that the precise type of neuron each stem cell can develop into is determined by its location on the ventricle wall.
A new stem cell population has been identified in the colon that is linked to cancer growth, which could lead to new treatments. The study found that this radiation-resistant stem cell population can give rise to colonic tumors and sustain their growth.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have identified a key signal molecule involved in controlling plant stem cell activity. The discovery sheds light on how plants regulate stem cell growth in response to environmental signals.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a set of genes responsible for stem cell production in tomatoes, which explains the origin of the massive 'beefsteak' variety. By fine-tuning these genes, breeders can potentially customize fruit size in other crops.
Dying daughter cells release protein Pvf1, binding to nearby mother stem cells' receptors, preventing apoptosis. This allows stem cells to survive until they can regenerate damaged tissue. The discovery may lead to new cancer treatments by targeting protective signals in tumor-initiating cells.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a novel type of pluripotent stem cell capable of developing into any type of tissue. The new cells, dubbed region-selective pluripotent stem cells (rsPSCs), were easier to grow in the laboratory and offered advantages for large-scale production and gene editing.