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.
Researchers found that differences in reactivity to retinoic acid in spermatogonial stem cells are controlled by the Rarγ gene. This discovery explains how mammalian testis maintain a delicate balance between stem cell numbers and differentiation into sperm. The study suggests that other tissues may also be maintained through similar m...
A new study successfully grew stem cells with dead feeder cells, challenging the theory that feeder cells provide nutrients. The discovery suggests that stem cells may only like the topology of feeder cells, enabling a simpler approach to growth using nanomanufacturing techniques.
Researchers found that silibinin from milk thistle significantly slowed the growth of colorectal cancer stem cells in mice, reducing tumor size and metabolism. Re-injecting these cancer stem cells into new mice showed a loss of their potential to form aggressive tumors even without silibinin exposure.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a new form of human embryonic stem cell that can help advance research on pre-eclampsia and other reproductive problems. These 'BMP-primed' stem cells are more robust and easily manipulated than traditional stem cells, making them ideal for future studies.
Scientists have discovered that the chromosomes in laboratory stem cells open slowly over time, allowing them to respond to growth factors and differentiate into specific cell types. This understanding could lead to advancements in stem cell research and the development of new therapies for diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
Scientists discovered that stem cells distinguish between old and young mitochondria, allocating them disproportionately to daughter cells. This mechanism prevents damage accumulation in the lineage over time.
Researchers found that stem cells discard old mitochondria in daughter cells that differentiate, while new stem cells receive young ones. This mechanism may help reduce cellular damage and aging.
A UCI team led by Leslie Thompson will establish an HD therapy employing human embryonic stem cells that can be evaluated in clinical trials. The researchers have identified a highly promising neural stem cell line showing disease-modifying activity in HD mice, and will conduct preclinical efficacy and safety studies.
Researchers have discovered that slow-growing brain cancer stem cells are resistant to treatment and can survive stress by producing a protein called Abcg1. The study suggests that using different drugs and higher dosages may be necessary to target these treatment-resistant stem cells.
The generation of neurons in humans is limited to development, and this process declines with age due to the limited self-renewal of neural stem cells. Therapeutic approaches must focus on maintaining stem cell supply by promoting their self-renewal rate.
Researchers discovered that Snai1 protein controls the fate of intestinal stem cells in mice, regulating their survival and differentiation. By reducing Snai1 activity, intestinal stem cells shifted towards secretory roles, impairing regeneration and promoting tumor growth.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified a key protein signaling pathway involved in the growth and survival of brain tumor stem cells. The neurotrophin pathway controls nerve growth, survival and specialization, and inhibiting TrkB and TrkC receptors can decrease stem cell survival.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that culture conditions and passage methods affect genetic stability in human stem cells. The study highlights the need for quality control to ensure the safety of transplanted stem cells.
A study reveals that hematopoietic stem cells are vulnerable to DNA damage when rapidly dividing under stress conditions. This can lead to premature aging and increase the risk of cancer.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center have developed a new reporter system to study bone regeneration potential in human embryonic stem cells. The system allows for better monitoring of cell properties and may lead to the creation of new therapies for diseases such as leukemia or genetic blood disorders.
A new study by Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has identified a specific stem cell signaling process that regulates intestinal tumors. The findings suggest that protein kinase C-zeta inhibits stem cell activity through downregulation of two signaling pathways: beta-catenin and Yap.
Researchers Weissman and Massagué win prestigious prize for their groundbreaking work on cancer stem cells and metastatic spread. Their research aims to develop targeted treatments by understanding the connection between cancer stem cells and immune system control.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, have found that CDK6 is essential for activating leukemic stem cells, which causes leukemia. Inhibiting CDK6 may prevent relapse, while leaving healthy stem cells unaffected.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study reveals that reprogramming damaged stem cells can prevent cancer after full-body radiation. The research suggests that genetic inhibition of the C/EBPA gene allows healthy stem cells to dominate the blood cell production system, reducing the risk of leukemia.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge successfully created primordial germ cells from human embryonic stem cells, a crucial step in early mammalian development. The study identified a critical gene, SOX17, involved in directing human stem cells to become these cells, and showed that PGCs can be made from reprogrammed adult cells.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a way to promote stem cell growth by inhibiting their ability to make decisions. By blocking key choices, embryonic stem cells can be transformed into more efficient cell types, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and gut-related disorder therapies.
Scientists at McMaster University have discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells retain a memory of their original tissue type, allowing for more targeted regeneration and therapy development. This breakthrough challenges the conventional thought that any pluripotent human stem cell can be used to generate mature tissue cells.
Researchers at Mount Sinai aim to re-create patients' ocular stem cells to restore vision, eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs. The grant will support efforts to discover new stem cell therapies and develop biomaterials for engrafting patient-owned stem cells.
Researchers at USC Health Sciences identified a new population of nail stem cells that can self-renew or differentiate into multiple tissues, including nail and skin. These stem cells play a crucial role in nail repair, but their potential to generate additional types of tissue is still unknown.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a key role for the signal molecule TGF-beta in regulating brain stem cells' development potential. By understanding this mechanism, researchers hope to develop new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Lori O'Brien, a USC postdoctoral research associate, has received the first Broad Fellowship to investigate how epigenetic regulation affects kidney stem cells. The fellowship will support her research on Phf19, an epigenetic regulator that encourages embryonic stem cell self-renewal.
Researchers at NYSCF found that SCNT-derived cells and IPS cells share similar genetic profiles, suggesting both methods are effective in generating stem cells. The study's findings imply that further investigation is needed to determine the suitability of each method for treating chronic diseases.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists have developed a way to use stem cells in the fight against brain cancer. They genetically engineered stem cells to produce and secrete tumor-killing toxins, which were shown to kill cancer cells in mouse brains. This method solves the delivery issue that led to previous clinical trial failures.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute discovered that megakaryocytes, a type of 'mega' cell in bone marrow, regulate stem cells to produce platelets and other blood cells. This finding could lead to new treatments for patients recovering from chemotherapy or organ transplantation.
Researchers found that autophagy, a cellular recycling mechanism, helps activate muscle stem cells by inducing metabolic shifts and coping with increased biosynthesis demands. Inhibited autophagy delayed stem cell activation, highlighting SIRT1's regulatory role in this process.
A Mount Sinai-led research team has discovered a new kind of stem cell that can become either a liver cell or a blood vessel cell, contradicting current theory on organ development. This discovery may hold clues to the origins of and future treatment for liver cancer.
A team of scientists received funding to investigate how neural stem cells vary, which could lead to better treatments for neurological conditions. The study aims to identify molecular differences between types of neural stem cells, shedding light on their behavior and potential therapies.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a barcoding tool to track the origin of blood cells, revealing that progenitor cells, not blood stem cells, give rise to specific blood cell types. This discovery challenges scientific dogma and has potential applications for blood regeneration therapies.
Researchers found that the protein BRD4 plays a crucial role in regulating stem cell identity, holding promise for regenerating tissues and organs. The study suggests that inhibiting BRD4 could be used to reprogram stem cells into specific cell types, such as neurons.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that stem cells 'communicate' with damaged cells by transferring molecules via fluid-filled bags called vesicles, helping other cells modify the damaging immune response. This novel mechanism enables stem-cell-based therapies to work more efficiently.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have discovered a highly efficient method for generating pluripotent stem cells, increasing yields by over 20-fold compared to standard protocols. The new technique uses vitamin C and two other compounds to modulate enzymes involved in cell reprogramming.
In a breakthrough study published in Nature Communications, Cedars-Sinai researchers successfully targeted stem cells to injured heart muscle using antibody-studded iron nanoparticles. This innovative approach enables precise localization of the body's own stem cells to the site of injury, promoting regeneration and repair.
Researchers found that age-related decline in skeletal muscle stem cell function is caused by increased activation of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. Inhibiting this pathway with specific drugs restores muscle stem cell function and promotes tissue repair.
Researchers from CU School of Medicine and Taiga Biotechnologies have discovered a way to expand production of stem cells used to treat cancer patients. This breakthrough technology could also be used to treat inborn immunodeficiency conditions, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have uncovered the behavior of stem cells in the human bowel for the first time. They found that within a healthy bowel, only a certain number of stem cells can exist within one area at a time, and increased competition for survival is seen in early tumours.
A review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery warns of the dangers of unsubstantiated claims surrounding cosmetic stem cell procedures. The authors cite potential risks to patients and highlight the need for rigorous scientific evaluation before these treatments are advertised.
A team of scientists led by Prof. Claudia Waskow has successfully generated a mouse model that supports human blood stem cell transplantation without irradiation, enabling the study of human blood development in a physiological setting. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options and disease research for patients with he...
The Association of American Universities (AAU) has launched the AAU STEM Initiative Hub, a website providing resources for universities to showcase innovative efforts improving undergraduate STEM teaching. The hub will also profile efforts by eight AAU STEM Project Sites and provide a platform for sharing strategies and challenges.
Scientists at OHSU have found that nuclear transfer is superior to iPS method in reprogramming human skin cells into embryonic stem cells, with the former producing stem cells almost identical to those from in vitro fertilized eggs. The study's findings hold major implications for developing better embryonic stem cells and therapies.
Researchers have shown that stem cells created using different methods produce differing cells, with nuclear transfer ES cells being more similar to real ES cells. The findings could lead to improved stem cell therapies and ultimately, the development of personalized treatments.
A new study finds that stem cells created by moving genetic material from a skin cell into an empty egg cell more closely resemble human embryonic stem cells than traditionally induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The method, known as nuclear transfer, results in cells with fewer reprogramming issues and better gene expression patterns.
A Harvard research team found that transplanting mesenchymal stem cells with blood vessel-forming cells improves results in mice. The co-transplantation method keeps the mesenchymal stem cells alive longer, enabling them to display their full regenerative potential and generate new bone or fat tissue.
A new review article suggests that embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are not the only source of all three germ layers in the human body. Adult pluripotent stem cells are located throughout the body and can become every tissue, provided they receive the right instructions.
The 2014 World Stem Cell Summit will bring together leading scientists, business leaders, and regulators to discuss the future of regenerative medicine. The summit will feature over 200 prominent speakers from more than 40 nations, exploring the latest scientific discoveries and innovative business models.
Human embryonic stem cell therapy has been shown to significantly reduce MS disease severity in animal models, offering a promising new treatment for the debilitating disease. The therapy also provides an unlimited source of high-quality mesenchymal stem cells, which can be propagated indefinitely in lab cultures.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered that a protein called Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) is essential for maintaining healthy aging of blood stem cells. The study found that loss of SIRT1 leads to impaired regeneration and resembles aged, defective stem cells in mouse models.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a new class of genetic switches, called seed enhancers, that guide the development of pluripotent stem cells. These enhancers play roles from before birth to adulthood and hold promise for regenerative medicine and disease prevention.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a new cell-cycle phase in resting stem cells, dubbed an 'alert' state, which enables them to rapidly respond to tissue damage. This systemic response is distinct from fully resting or activated stem cells and has been observed in various types of injuries.
Researchers from University of Southern Denmark have discovered that proteins called transcription factors work together in a new and complex way to reprogram the DNA strand when a stem cell develops into a specific cell type. This discovery could lead to new ways of making stem cells develop into exactly the type of cells that a physi...
A team of scientists has identified cancer stem cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, a malignant blood condition that frequently develops into acute myeloid leukemia. The study provides conclusive evidence for the existence of cancer stem cells and suggests that targeting these cells could lead to effective treatment.
Leading scientists from the U.S., Canada, and Belgium discussed cancer stem cells, highlighting their challenges in targeted cancer treatments. The symposium aimed to spark productive dialogues among researchers attending, according to Paul Frenette, director and chair of Einstein's Stem Cell Institute.
Researchers have isolated and grown breast tissue stem cells in the lab, allowing them to study both breast development and cancer. The study found that CRIPTO and GRP78 are crucial for maintaining stem cell populations, and targeting these proteins could halt or slow cancer growth.
Researchers at NYSCF and Columbia University Medical Center have successfully created the first disease-specific human embryonic stem cell line using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The achievement marks a major step towards developing personalized cell therapies for life-threatening diseases like type 1 diabetes. By reprogrammin...
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that when a certain kind of stem cell is killed off experimentally, another group of non-stem cells can replace them naturally. The discovery may help explain how stem cells in tumors replenish themselves and could offer new targets for controlling cancer growth.