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Human sperm created from embryonic stem cells

Researchers at Newcastle University have successfully created human sperm from embryonic stem cells, allowing them to study the causes of infertility and potentially develop new treatments. The technique uses germline stem cells developed from male embryos, which are then prompted to mature into fully functional sperm.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 8, 2009

Playing it safe

Researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft have developed a method to convert adult testis cells in mice into pluripotent stem cells, which can form all types of body tissue, without the use of introduced genes, viruses, or reprogramming proteins. The culture conditions were found to be crucial for the success of the process.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 7, 2009

UCLA scientists find molecular differences between embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed skin cells

Researchers found distinct gene expression signatures in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, indicating they are not perfectly similar despite sharing potential to become all body tissues. The study aims to understand the biological significance of these differences and their impact on iPS cell function.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 2, 2009

Johns Hopkins researchers edit genes in human stem cells

Johns Hopkins researchers have made a breakthrough in editing human stem cells, enabling the development of patient-specific therapies for rare blood diseases like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The team successfully targeted and edited a gene responsible for causing PNH, improving on standard gene targeting technology.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 18, 2009

Bone marrow stem cell co-transplantation prevents embryonic stem cell transplant-associated tumors

Co-transplanting bone marrow stem cells with embryonic stem cells eliminates tumor formation in spinal cord injury (SCI) laboratory animals. The study suggests that BMSCs induce differentiation of undifferentiated ES cells into a neuronal lineage, resulting in suppression of tumor growth.

Creating ideal neural cells for clinical use

Researchers at the Burnham Institute developed a protocol to differentiate human embryonic stem cells into committed neural precursor cells, which can be used for transplantation. The C-NPCs were transplanted into mice and became active neurons without generating tumor outgrowth.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Death and Differentiation·DateApr 13, 2009

New stem cell therapy may lead to treatment for deafness

Researchers have successfully isolated human auditory stem cells from fetal cochleae and found they can differentiate into sensory hair cells and neurons. This breakthrough has the potential to develop a new treatment for deafness, with implications for studying ear development and modeling drug screening.

SourceWiley·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 23, 2009

Protein complex shown to play pivotal role in stem cell development in 2 Stanford studies

Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a protein complex that plays a pivotal role in controlling the ability of embryonic stem cells to become any cell type. The finding is an important advance in harnessing the unique abilities of embryonic stem cells to treat disease and generate replacement tissue.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2009

Researchers generate functional neurons from somatic cells

Scientists successfully generated functionally mature motor neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells, paving the way for new treatments of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury. This study offers a promising alternative to embryo-derived cells for regenerative medicine.

SourceWiley·JournalStem Cells·DateFeb 24, 2009

A budding role for a cellular dynamo

Researchers discovered protein Bud14 inhibits formin interactions, regulating actin filament length. This discovery advances understanding of cell division and development, with implications for human health conditions such as infertility and deafness.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 18, 2009

An inexhaustible source of neural cells

Scientists have successfully derived brain stem cells from human embryonic stem cells, providing a continual in vitro supply of diverse types of neural cells. These cells can serve as an inexhaustible source for studying neurodegenerative diseases and possible active agents directly in human neural cells.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2009

How do you mend a broken heart?

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made a breakthrough in growing functional heart cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, paving the way for potential therapies for heart failure patients. The discovery uses a virus to reprogram skin cells into embryo-like states and could potentially lead to new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCirculation Research·DateFeb 12, 2009

MIT develops new way to fuse cells

Researchers at MIT have created a highly efficient method for pairing and fusing cells, which should facilitate the study of genetic reprogramming in hybrids. This innovation, led by Joel Voldman and Rudolf Jaenisch, improves upon existing cell fusion techniques by increasing the success rate to around 50%.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 4, 2009

Single virus used to convert adult cells to embryonic stem cell-like cells

Scientists have developed a new method for converting adult cells into embryonic stem cell-like cells using a single virus, cutting the number of viruses used from four to one. This approach eliminates the risks associated with multiple viruses and could potentially be used to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 15, 2008

Harm-reduction cigarettes are more toxic than traditional cigarettes, UC Riverside study finds

A UC Riverside study reveals that harm-reduction cigarette smoke retains toxicity and can adversely affect reproductive development in mice and may pose risks to human pregnancies. The research found that both mainstream and sidestream smoke from traditional and harm-reduction brands are toxic to pre-implantation embryos.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateDec 8, 2008