Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Mount Sinai researchers succeed in programming blood forming stem cells

Researchers at Mount Sinai have made a breakthrough in programming blood-forming stem cells, which could lead to the development of patient-specific blood products. The study uses mouse fibroblast cells and identifies a combination of four genetic factors that can generate blood vessel precursor cells with hematopoietic cells.

JCI early table of contents for June 10, 2013

Researchers found that HDAC3 is essential for DNA replication in hematopoietic progenitor cells and plays a critical role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by binding to the cellular protein FCγRIIb, which activates cell stress and death pathways. The study also identified a link between FCγRIIb and memory impairment in AD patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 10, 2013

Detecting circulating tumor cells

Researchers have developed a multi-stage, multi-orifice flow fractionation system to detect and separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood with high efficiency, improving separation efficiency to 98.9%. The device, called MS-MOFF, employs hydrodynamic sorting and can collect viable CTCs after sorting.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 23, 2013

Eat too much? Maybe it's in the blood

Research at Baylor College of Medicine found that bone marrow cells producing BDNF travel to the hypothalamus, where they fine-tune appetite. A bone marrow transplant restoring the gene for BDNF can normalize appetite and reduce overeating in mice with insulin resistance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2013

On the hunt for rare cancer cells

Researchers at MIT developed a microfluidic device that captures circulating tumor cells using DNA 'tentacles' inspired by jellyfish. The device increases flow rates 10 times higher than existing ones, enabling rapid processing of blood samples and potential monitoring of cancer patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2012

Acoustic tweezers capture tiny creatures with ultrasound

Bioengineers and biochemists at Penn State developed acoustic tweezers that can manipulate living materials like blood cells and small organisms using sound waves. The device can precisely trap and move cellular-scale objects essential for fundamental biomedical research, offering a cost-effective alternative to optical tweezers.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2012

Columbia engineers patch a heart

Researchers at Columbia University have established a new method to repair damaged hearts using a tissue-engineering platform. This breakthrough enables heart tissue to repair itself and has the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, one of the most serious health problems today.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2011

Taking blood from Fukushima radiation workers in order to prepare for future stem cell transplants in case they are accidently exposed to high doses of radiation

Experts recommend collecting peripheral blood stem cells from Fukushima radiation workers to prepare for potential future stem cell transplants. This technique has several advantages over allogeneic transplantation, including reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease and immunosuppression.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 14, 2011

Pitt team grows arteries with most elastic protein reported, big step for living vascular grafts

Pitt researchers have successfully grown arteries with high elasticity using baboon smooth muscle cells, containing 20% of the protein elastin found in natural arteries. The process resembles how it would be used in a patient and has the potential to overcome a major barrier to creating living-tissue replacements for damaged arteries.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

UCLA scientists isolate the first stages of tissue production in human embryonic stem cells

Researchers have isolated the first stage of tissue production in human embryonic stem cells, marking a significant breakthrough in regenerative medicine. The discovery may lead to the development of safer tissues for use in treating various medical conditions, including leukemia and sickle cell anemia.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2010

Tackling blood stem cell heterogeneity

A study published in Journal of Experimental Medicine identifies distinct HSC populations with varying propensities to generate specific blood cell types. The research reveals that high CD150 expression is associated with a 'latent' or 'delayed' ability to generate new blood cells.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 26, 2010