The Northwestern University-led trial assesses the safety and tolerability of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in paralyzed subjects with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to evaluate if these stem cells improve neuromuscular control or sensation in the trunk or lower extremities.
Researchers at IRCM discover a protein called Gfi1b that regulates blood stem cell activity and mobilization, potentially accelerating the production of new blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and safer stem cell therapy for leukemia patients.
The special issue of Translational Research presents an in-depth view of stem cell research, considering its potential for therapy in various human diseases. Despite scientific and technical advancements, serious ethical concerns remain, including issues of privacy and consent.
The NSF-funded program aims to develop engineering methods for stem cell production, focusing on scalable and standardized approaches. The initiative will support 30 new Ph.D. students over five years, with plans for international collaborations.
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed recommendations for advancing regenerative medicine. The key focus areas include recognizing regenerative medicine as a priority at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), re-examining clinical trial methodologies, and improving communication between basic and clinical scientists.
A team led by Drs. Michael A. Matthay and Jae W. Lee found that bone marrow stem cells secreted a protein that restored the lung barrier, preventing fluid and other elements from entering the lungs. The study suggests that this therapy may be a viable option for preventing respiratory failure in critically ill patients.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully purified one type of human embryonic stem cell using a novel, high-throughput strategy that avoids genetic engineering. The technique links two existing technologies and enables the separation of pure stem cells from teratoma-forming cells at a rate of about 25,000 cells per second.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a novel group of microRNAs that regulate the production of hematopoietic stem cells, which produce blood cells. The study found that one particular miRNA enhances the production of mature blood cells but can also induce aggressive leukemia when overexpressed.
A multicentric clinical phase II study led by Professor Dr. Peter Dreger found that allogeneic stem cell transplantation significantly improved tolerance and cured nearly half of patients with therapy-resistant chronic leukemia, regardless of genetic risk profile or prior treatment outcomes.
Researchers at UC San Diego identify new signaling pathway critical for embryonic stem cells' self-propagation, finding that inhibiting this pathway reduces teratoma formation. This breakthrough enables a potential solution to the major obstacle in developing human embryonic stem cell therapies.
Leading stem cell researcher Irving Weissman warns of unproven treatments being marketed on the internet, putting patients at risk of harm. His organization has launched a website to educate patients and provide guidance on how to spot fraudulent clinics.
Researchers found a new complication of stem cell therapy: angiomyeloproliferative lesions at injection sites, which can lead to kidney failure and death. The study highlights the need for further research to determine the circumstances that cause these masses to form and strategies to avoid them.
Experts warn that poor scientific quality and lack of oversight can undermine the entire scientific enterprise. The authors propose four key questions to answer when proposing human studies of new therapies to safeguard medical research advancement.
UCI scientists Marian Waterman and Aileen Anderson receive grants totaling $2.6 million to study human stem cells for therapeutic use and biomedical innovation. The research will further understanding of how stem cells survive and remain pluripotent, potentially leading to breakthroughs in induced pluripotent stem cell therapies.
The American Society for Nutrition will present a symposium on responsive feeding and how to promote healthy growth and development for infants and toddlers. Meanwhile, the American Physiological Society will discuss personalized, 'systems' medicine, integrating biologic and informational sciences to address complex biomedical problems.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have developed a method to guide cardiac stem cells using micro-size iron particles and a magnet, increasing retention in the injured area and enhancing heart function. This innovative technique shows great promise for improving the effectiveness of stem cell therapies for heart disease.
A novel stem cell therapy has been developed to arm the immune system against HIV, potentially improving quality of life and life expectancy for those who have failed antiviral drugs. The therapy involves delivering antiviral DNA to patient immune cells, which can block viral gene production using RNA interference.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a new growth factor that stimulates the expansion and regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells. The growth factor, pleiotrophin, has been shown to increase the numbers of human cord blood stem cells in culture capable of engraftment in immune-deficient mice.
Researchers discovered that cell shape influences stem-cell fate, with star shapes promoting bone formation and flower shapes promoting fat production. The study offers a promising direction for further investigation into stem-cell therapies.
A software program created by Andrew Cohen analyzes time-lapse images to identify changes in cell behaviors, predicting the types of specialized cells a stem cell will produce. The software is 87% accurate in determining specific 'offspring' a stem cell will ultimately produce, and 99% accurate in predicting when self-renewal will end ...
Researchers demonstrate that transplanted stem cells can rescue diseased neurons from death by sending signals through gap junctions, a newly recognized way of cell communication. This mechanism may play a role in both normal development and many diseases, including Huntington's disease and spinal cord injuries.
A study published in PNAS found that delivering stem cells on a polymer scaffold to treat large areas of missing bone leads to improved bone formation. However, the therapeutic effect is limited by the migration of stem cells away from the injury site, highlighting the need for improved delivery methods.
Chinese researchers have become a leading contributor to peer-reviewed scientific literature on clock-reversing regenerative medicine, with over 1,100 publications in 2008. New regulations aim to improve patient safety and restore China's global reputation.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that umbilical cord tissue contains a plentiful supply of stem cells that could be used to treat various muscle and bone disorders. The study reveals that these cells can be easily harvested from the tissue, expanded in number, and are remarkably stable.
Researchers at the North East England Stem Cell Institute have developed a successful stem cell therapy to treat Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), a painful and blinding disease. The treatment, which uses patients' own stem cells without immunosuppression, shows promise for restoring sight in hundreds of people.
Researchers at UT Houston are conducting a Phase II trial using adult human mesenchymal stem cells to treat acute heart attacks. The study shows promising results, with patients experiencing fewer arrhythmias and improved overall condition after receiving the treatment.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new source of nerve cell generation in the adult brain, specifically in the olfactory bulb. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease, where nerve cell degeneration plays a crucial role.
Researchers found that transplanted human-derived umbilical cord blood stem cells had positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders in animal models. The study showed that MSCs have anti-inflammatory effects and can differentiate into various cell types, including lung-specific cells.
Researchers have successfully generated human epidermis from human embryonic stem cells, providing a potential unlimited resource for temporary skin replacement in patients with large burns. The skin substitute was shown to be functional and structurally consistent with human skin after just 12 weeks of grafting onto mice.
Researchers have achieved significant success with gene therapy in treating adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a potentially fatal brain disorder. The treatment has arrested the progression of the disease in two boys, showing no adverse effects to date.
Researchers have successfully used a gene therapy technique to slow the onset of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a severe brain disease, in two patients. The treatment involved introducing a therapeutic gene into blood cells using a lentiviral vector, which showed promise in slowing disease progression and improving neurological function.
Scientists at Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Stanford University School of Medicine are developing induced pluripotent stem cells to repair damaged heart muscle. The $10 million, 7-year project aims to identify and characterize progenitor cell lines and develop new clinical strategies for regenerative therapies.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism underlying DES-induced male infertility in mice, which may be linked to increased incidence of human reproductive disorders. The study found that neonatal exposure to DES disrupts the protein NR0B2, leading to reduced fertility and protected males against negative effects.
Researchers genetically engineered adult neural stem cells to express anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10, improving functional and pathological recovery from multiple sclerosis. These modified cells induced immunomodulation, nerve cell repair, and production of the nerve cell protective sheath.
Physician-researchers at USC have received a nearly $16 million grant to develop a stem cell-based treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The four-year study aims to replace damaged retinal cells with healthy ones derived from human embryonic stem cells.
Adult stem cells from bone marrow have shown promise in preventing and treating acute lung injury by repairing damaged endothelial cells. Researchers found that these progenitor stem cells, named Flk-1 and CD34, can repair lung damage and improve survival when administered to mice with ALI.
Researchers have tested various cell-based therapies in mice with Alport syndrome, a genetic kidney disease. Stem cell treatments may repair kidney defects associated with the disease, offering promise for patients.
Scripps Research scientists successfully corrected a genetic defect in mice with cystinosis, a rare and devastating disorder. The treatment involved bone marrow stem cell transplantation, which significantly reduced cystine levels and improved symptoms.
The 2009 Lasker Awards honor pioneering work in cancer and stem cell research, promising new therapies and a $700 million global market. Renowned scientists receive awards for their discoveries in nuclear reprogramming techniques and regenerative medicine.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have successfully tracked bone marrow stem cells as they repair damaged brain tissue in a live animal model of Huntington's disease. The innovative use of MRI tracking enables the monitoring of cell viability and migration towards diseased areas, paving the way for potential therapy.
A team of researchers has identified phosphorylated signaling proteins in human embryonic stem cells, shedding light on the mechanisms that determine cell fate. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapies by controlling stem cell differentiation.
Researchers have developed a new approach to treat ischemic pathologies by activating the protein HIF, which stimulates revascularization and organ repair. This strategy aims to address cardiovascular diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide, by over-producing HIF in response to ischemia.
Researchers have developed a new leukemia therapy targeting cancer stem cells that drive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) growth. The antibody therapy, which specifically targets the CD123 protein, has shown promising results in laboratory models and clinical trials.
Researchers have discovered a molecular tool that selectively attacks human cancer cells, showing promise in treating human acute myeloid leukemia. The therapeutic approach exploits the high expression of CD123 on leukemia stem cells, targeting these critical cells to improve survival rates.
A study published by UCSF researchers found that bone marrow extract is as effective as bone marrow stem cells in improving cardiac function, decreasing scar tissue, and pumping capacity after a heart attack. Both therapies resulted in increased blood vessels and reduced cardiac cell death, showing promise for new treatments.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation provides significant overall and relapse-free survival benefits for adult patients with intermediate- and poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission. However, its benefit varies by cytogenetic risk, with no significant advantage for good-risk AML.
Researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered a protein called Wnt7a that increases satellite stem cells in muscle tissue, leading to accelerated growth and repair. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic treatments for muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia.
Researchers demonstrated a non-invasive procedure that increased myocytes and reduced cardiac tissue injury by 60%, improving heart function by 40%. The therapy also reduced fibrosis, promoting regeneration of heart tissue.
Researchers discuss a combined approach to maximize the benefits of stem cell therapy while minimizing risks. Gene therapy has the potential to solve the problem of wayward stem cells wreaking havoc after transplantation by genetically modifying them prior to use.
The American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) endorses the new NIH Guidelines, enabling research on human embryonic stem cells derived from IVF embryos. This move aims to facilitate the development of stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases by reducing restrictions on cell line acquisition.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute successfully generate embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells using chemical programming, overcoming safety concerns associated with genetic manipulation. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize personalized stem cell-based medicine for various diseases.
Researchers have found that human foetal stem cells can effectively treat back leg ischaemic ulcers in a model of type 1 diabetes. The culture mimics the wound-healing ability of the cells, suggesting they could be used as a 'factory' of wound-healing substances.
The University of Nottingham's studies found that improved collaboration with clinicians, better funding, and regulatory certainty are crucial for stem cell therapy success. The industry is at risk of market failure due to structural barriers within the NHS.
A new dual therapy approach generates new blood vessels and improves cardiac function following a heart attack, overcoming current stem-cell-mobilizing therapies' ineffectiveness in humans. This strategy stabilizes SDF-1 and enhances the recruitment of EPCs to damaged heart tissue.
Research at University of Gothenburg reveals that egg cells can rejuvenate sperm by extending telomeres, reducing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities. This breakthrough has significant implications for future stem cell therapy, which aims to replace diseased or dying cells.
Researchers found significant benefits in glycemic control and reduced insulin requirements in patients with type 2 diabetes who received stem cell infusion and hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The combination therapy showed promising results in decreasing type 2 diabetes morbidity and mortality.
Researchers have successfully tracked and confirmed the survival of stem cells in the body using a firefly-like bioluminescence imaging agent. This innovative technique enables precise targeting of stem cell delivery to specific blood vessels, opening new hope for treating peripheral arterial disease.
A rare case of a boy with Ataxia Telangiectasia developed abnormal growths in his brain and spinal cord four years after receiving human fetal stem cell therapy. The tumors were found to be benign neural tumors that could not have arisen from the patient's own tissues, highlighting the need for caution in stem cell therapy.
A genome-wide expression analysis identified 3,005 differentially expressed genes, including a ribosome and T-cell receptor signaling pathway. The study provides critical insight into the differences between leukemic stem cells and normal blood stem cells, potentially leading to targeted therapies.
A new study found that animal oocytes cannot fully reprogram adult human cells, making them unsuitable substitutes for producing patient-specific stem cells. The researchers tested using oocytes from cows, rabbits, and humans, but failed to achieve the necessary gene expression changes.