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A frozen leap forward

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara and Regenerative Patch Technologies have developed a new cryopreservation method for stem cell-based therapy for age-related macular degeneration. The method allows for long-term storage and distribution of the implant, extending shelf life and increasing accessibility to patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 14, 2021

Teaching a computer program to track cells

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes create an artificial intelligence system that can follow hundreds of cells in a petri dish, revealing key findings on cell behavior and leadership patterns. The AI approach provides a comprehensive view of how cells cooperate and form complex organs, with potential applications for therapeutic purposes.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMay 13, 2021

Recreating the earliest stages of life

Researchers successfully generate synthetic mouse embryos containing the three fundamental cell types normally found in pre-implantation embryos. The study provides strong evidence that the system is a good model for studying early embryo development, shedding light on the mechanisms of totipotency and the causes of early pregnancy loss.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 22, 2021

Researchers generate human-monkey chimeric embryos

Scientists have successfully generated human-monkey chimeric embryos, allowing them to study human development and disease under in vivo conditions. The research has the potential to provide new insights into evolutionary barriers to chimera generation and improve model systems for studying human biology.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2021

The right tune for blood

Researchers found that RNA from repetitive elements activates RIG-I-like receptors, inducing inflammation and increasing hematopoietic stem cell numbers. The RIG-I-like receptor family plays a crucial role in regulating hematopoiesis, with different members having opposing effects on developmental hematopoiesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalImmunology·DateNov 15, 2020

Generation of three-dimensional heart organoids

Scientists developed three-dimensional heart organoids resembling the developing heart using mouse embryonic stem cells and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). The organoids exhibit functional properties similar to their in vivo counterparts, offering a promising biomimetic model for studying heart development and testing novel drugs. T...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2020

A simpler way to make sensory hearing cells

Researchers have successfully reprogrammed three types of mouse cells into induced hair cell-like cells, offering a potential solution for identifying causes and treatments of hearing loss. The new cells possess characteristics similar to naturally occurring hair cells and are vulnerable to an antibiotic known to cause hearing loss.

International prize awarded to two pieces of novel research in the 3Rs

Two researchers received a prestigious award for their innovative methods in reducing animal use in poultry red mite testing and developing human and mouse embryonic stem cell cultures. Their work has significantly reduced the number of animals used in these fields, paving the way for further improvements in 3Rs research.