The Terasaki Institute has been awarded $19.8 million to engineer transplantable, immune-compatible liver tissue, addressing a shortage of donor organs. The project, called Prometheus, aims to ease donor scarcity and the lifelong immunosuppression required by transplant patients.
Researchers have developed biodegradable films from engineered honeybee silk, which can be programmed to respond to wound conditions. The material is safe, well-tolerated, and doesn't impede healing, making it a promising solution for preventing infections in chronic wounds.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, modulating cellular senescence and immune-inflammatory responses. EVs facilitate aberrant intercellular communication, deliver pathogenic miRNAs and proteins, and promote chronic inflammation.
A new AI tool, ChromAgeNet, analyzes 3D chromatin organization in blood stem cells to identify age-related changes, which can inform rejuvenation strategies. The model outperforms previous methods, revealing subtle changes in nuclear architecture that can be used to detect age-associated states.
A comprehensive review reveals that Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) function as master regulators of the body's internal microenvironment, driving tissue regeneration through immunomodulatory and paracrine properties. MSCs can sense changes in the host microenvironment in real-time and adjust their regulatory phenotypes and secre...
Researchers developed a gene-delivery system that converts reactive astrocytes into functional neurons, improving motor recovery in mice and rats. The system, TRANsCre-DIONE, selectively targets scar-forming cells and reprograms them into neurons, which generate nerve impulses and receive signals from other neurons.
Jun Takahashi, MD, PhD, has been awarded the 2026 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize for pioneering the translation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell biology into regenerative therapies for Parkinson's disease. He has achieved the world's first clinical approval for iPS cell-derived cell transplantation.
Researchers developed a new culture membrane that recreates the biochemical composition and soft physical environment of native intestinal tissue, enhancing intestinal cell growth and behavior. The membrane, combined with human colon organoid-derived epithelial cells, exhibited increased characteristics associated with intestinal stem ...
A new study found that aging significantly limits the ability of support cells in the retina to be reprogrammed into new neurons, a discovery that has important implications for the future of regenerative medicine. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also found that inflammation and decreased ce...
Researchers discovered that β1 integrin and DDR2 form a cooperative collagen-sensing system in skeletal progenitor cells, regulating their migration, proliferation, and differentiation during bone regeneration. Targeting both receptors may provide a more effective strategy for enhancing bone repair in degenerative or injury-related ske...
Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.
Researchers from Pusan National University developed an injectable system to deliver radiation directly within keloid tissue, providing a minimally invasive approach to treat abnormal scars. The microgels enabled rapid and efficient radiolabeling, and therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in mice carrying patient-derived keloid tissue.
A research team created an ultrathin artificial lung that reproduces the movement of alveoli, air sacs inside the lung, and demonstrates the response to influenza virus. The lung operated stably through 240,000 breaths and showed promise for studying lung disease and drug responses.
Researchers developed a versatile hydrogel platform that enables the design of customised biomaterials for tissue engineering, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine. The platform preserves the functionality of incorporated biomolecules and supports high cell viability, enabling the creation of tissue-specific environments.
A new technology developed by TAU's Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine is approaching its first implantation in a person with paralysis following spinal cord injury. The implant, produced from the patient's own cells and tissues, aims to restore ability to stand, walk, and regain independence.
Researchers identified dormant progenitor cells in skeletal muscle that migrate to fracture sites and become bone-forming cells. Muscle is the main source of these regenerative cells, which can contribute to both normal fracture healing and heterotopic ossification.
A coral-inspired 3D-printed scaffold reprograms immune cells to promote angiogenesis and bone regeneration, shifting macrophages from inflammatory M1 state to reparative M2 state. The scaffold also enhances angiogenesis, new bone formation, and reconstruction of bone defects.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Rice engineers use electrical charge to control therapeutic peptide release from gelatin-based materials, enabling longer-lasting treatments. The study improves peptide retention and reduces initial burst release, offering potential for tailored release profiles in regenerative applications.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed strategies to overcome xenophagocytosis, which eliminates living donor cells in interspecies organ generation. By blocking this response, they significantly improved donor cell survival and generated rat pancreas in mice.
Researchers have developed a new biological treatment that targets inflammation-driven scarring after a heart attack, aiming to reduce the risk of heart failure. The treatment uses donated human bone marrow-produced exosomes to dampen inflammation and promote healing.
A new study reveals that lignin can be transformed into a bioactive material that promotes the formation of bone-like minerals while supporting the growth of bone-forming cells. The material also degrades gradually under physiological conditions, making it suitable for scaffolds intended to be replaced by newly formed bone during healing.
JMIR Publications is sponsoring the upcoming BioMedEng26 conference to promote biomedical engineering innovation. The journal JMIR Biomedical Engineering will be highlighted during the event, with Dr. Javad Sarvestan discussing its focus on cutting-edge engineering applications and peer-review process.
Researchers have discovered a hidden network of specialized mesenchymal support cells in the intestine that work together to maintain its inner lining. The study found four distinct populations of cells with unique genetic programs, each occupying specific locations and influencing stem cell activity and immune responses.
University of Oregon researchers engineer molecules and control regenerative cue release to improve healing outcomes for complex injuries. A staggered sequence approach shows better blood vessel regeneration, and the method is being applied to bone healing, muscle repair, and spinal cord regeneration.
Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology discovered that mature, aged cells can revert into active stem cells that regenerate damaged tissue. This finding challenges the prevailing view on tissue regeneration and implies the possibility of therapies promoting natural healing mechanisms.
A novel therapy targeting the bone marrow microenvironment is shown to accelerate recovery and promote hematopoietic regeneration after injury. Pharmacological activation of YAP/TAZ improves BM niche recovery, enhancing engraftment and white blood cell recovery following HSCT.
Researchers have developed a new tool to screen genes involved in human development at unprecedented scale and speed. The method, using organoids from human pluripotent stem cells, revealed new insights into human brain development, including the role of ZIC2, SOX11, and ZNF521 genes.
Glial cells play critical roles in determining brain recovery after TBI, and researchers have identified ways to selectively modulate their functions. The study highlights the importance of coordinated cellular behavior and suggests that targeting glial responses could lead to effective therapies.
Researchers will study blood samples and environmental exposures over 10 years to identify genetic, environmental, and cellular factors contributing to autoimmune diseases. The goal is to develop prevention strategies and treatments by understanding the earliest biological triggers of SARDs.
Recent studies suggest that p16INK4a+ cells, previously thought to be non-beneficial due to their association with aging, actually contribute to tendon regeneration. These mesenchymal cells produce collagen and factors promoting new blood vessel and nerve growth, crucial for normal tendon function.
Researchers found that CAR3 coordinates bone formation and regeneration by forming a molecular complex with collagen type I alpha 1 and recruiting bone sialoprotein. The study identified CAR3 as a previously unrecognized regulator of osteoblast differentiation, highlighting its potential for treating bone disorders.
Researchers developed an injectable hydrogel combining silk proteins and a kudzu plant compound, achieving complete wound closure within 72 hours. The material's mechanical stability and cell viability exceeded expectations.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a novel culture system to produce stable, scalable, and low-cost clinical-grade intestinal organoids from patient biopsy samples. The innovative approach uses clinical-grade collagen and synthetic peptides to enhance growth and improve scalability.
A new study from Northwestern University developed a customized video game to help chronic stroke survivors regain lost arm function. After six weeks of therapy, participants showed significant improvement in arm function and daily activities, with scores improving up to 7.8 times that of the control group.
Researchers developed a topical gel formulation with 4-aminopyridine to treat burn wounds, achieving near-complete closure in 21 days. The gel delivers the drug directly to the wound site, avoiding systemic risks associated with prolonged use.
Researchers developed a senolytic therapy using dasatinib and quercetin, which preserved disc structure and reduced inflammation, highlighting JUN signaling as a key pathway. This preclinical study provides evidence for a potential therapeutic strategy to slow disease progression in individuals with genetic susceptibility.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed a new method to produce large, functional human gut organoids with nerve cells, growing them twice as fast as previous methods. These organoids can now be used for patching damage or restoring diminished functions of the small intestine, stomach, or colon.
Researchers developed cardiac organoids to address limitations of cell-based therapies in myocardial infarction. These three-dimensional tissue constructs integrate into host tissue, improve cardiac function, and reduce scar size without arrhythmogenic effects.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that burosumab safely restored normal phosphate levels and improved physical function in patients with severe fibrous dysplasia. Key findings include reduced pain, fatigue, and mobility impairment, as well as significant improvements in children's mobility and independence.
Scientists at Tufts University and Imperial College London develop a new method to transform silk into high-performance solids that preserve its natural strength. The resulting material is remarkably tough and has exceptional properties similar to wood, while also being transparent to visible light.
A novel antibody, NG101, accelerates the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue by neutralizing a protein that blocks nerve fiber growth. This therapy enables new nerve fibers to form functional connections, allowing patients to become more independent and potentially recover arm and hand function.
Researchers developed RegVelo, an AI framework that models cellular dynamics and gene regulation to predict cellular fate decisions. The model traces developmental trajectories and simulates regulatory interactions, providing insights into hidden drivers of development and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers summarize universal mechanisms of regulatory T cells in solid organ transplantation, enabling durable immune tolerance and reducing rejection. Gene-editing technologies create hypoimmunogenic Tregs for standardized, scalable availability.
Macrophages are among the earliest responders to heart injury, activating an inflammatory program that helps kickstart regeneration. The researchers found that dampening this response specifically in macrophages promotes blood vessel growth and heart muscle cell proliferation, both essential for regeneration.
Researchers studying RNA pollution's impact on aging brains seek to develop therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Anne Bang will use advanced robotics to test thousands of compounds.
Researchers have identified a gene, eIF4G2, crucial for keeping adult intestinal stem cells stable and functional. The study reveals that the gene plays a vital role in regulating protein production and maintaining stem cell identity.
Researchers from Lund University successfully harnessed the regenerative capacity of Scandinavian flatworms to accelerate wound healing in human skin models. The study found that signalling molecules from flatworm exosomes increased skin thickness and improved wound healing rates, including accelerated blood vessel regeneration.
The researchers will investigate novel therapies to protect the aging brain from neurodegenerative diseases by eliminating RNA pollution. They will map out signatures of RNA pollution across over 200 cell lines and patient biofluids to understand its effects.
Researchers mapped how Sox9 guides cartilage formation in mouse embryonic limbs, finding that it dynamically targets different genes depending on developmental timing and cell type. The study provides a foundation for understanding skeletal development and may contribute to future research on bone and cartilage diseases.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University has identified multiple types of stromal and secretory cells in the larynx, revealing new insights into vocal fold regeneration. The study's findings provide potential stem cells for treating vocal cord dysfunction and other voice disorders.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
Anand Ramamurthi, Lehigh's Peter C. Rossin Professor of Bioengineering and chair of the Department of Bioengineering, has been elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows for his groundbreaking work in regenerative technologies that can repair damaged tissues without surgery. His research aims to develop nonsurgical nanomedicines to treat ...
Researchers found that extracellular vesicles from menstrual blood stromal cells can improve cartilage function and slow tissue degradation, even in older postmenopausal women. Biomimetic scaffolds are being developed to prolong the effects of these particles, offering a potential cell-free therapy for osteoarthritis.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered a way to prime skin cells for regeneration before injury, enabling rapid and effective healing. This approach, called mosaic partial reprogramming, reshapes surrounding cells and tissue microenvironment to accelerate wound healing.
A team of researchers has achieved a major milestone in developing a new treatment aimed at helping the body repair damaged joints at the source. The experimental treatments have shown promising results in animal models, restoring joint tissue to near-normal levels and significantly reducing pain markers for long periods.
Researchers discovered that PCGF1 is essential for maintaining H3K27me3 homeostasis during early embryonic development. Its absence leads to dysregulation of pluripotency gene silencing, causing cells to remain in a stem cell-like state and fail to commit to specific lineages.
A Waseda University research team developed a nanotube membrane-based injector to directly and reliably manipulate the cytoplasmic composition of living cells. The system successfully transferred cytoplasmic contents, including mitochondria, into target cells with high efficiency and minimal damage.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo successfully developed a high-pressure freezing method that reduces CPA concentration to 20-30% and improves cell viability and metabolic activity. The method holds promise for cryopreservation in regenerative medicine research, with potential applications in drug testing and cell transplantation.
Researchers developed in vitro and in vivo models to track cartilage-to-bone transition, identifying key signaling pathways and transcription factors involved. The study found that some cartilage cells can transition into bone-like cells, challenging the traditional view of bone cell origin.