Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Reconstructing the clock of human development

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully reconstructed the human segmentation clock using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a key focus of embryonic development research. The study reveals novel genetic components and oscillation patterns of the clock, which controls the formation of organs and tissues.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2020

NUS Medicine researchers can reprogramme cells to original state for regenerative medicine

Researchers at NUS Medicine have discovered a way to induce totipotency in pluripotent embryonic stem cells, allowing for maximum cell engineering and therapeutic potential. This breakthrough provides new avenues for regenerative medicine, particularly in cell replacement therapies for debilitating diseases.

A simple twist of cell fate

A study by University of Michigan researchers sheds light on the role of WDR5 and p53 proteins in influencing stem cell fate, with implications for cancer research and potential treatments for heart disease. The team found that inducing a short delay in WDR5 expression steered embryonic stem cells towards different tissue types.

Making blood on demand: How far have we come?

Researchers have made significant progress in generating functional hematopoietic stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Key findings include the role of transcription factors HOX and GATA proteins in regulating hematopoiesis, which may lead to breakthroughs in treating blood cancers and other disorders.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Genomics·DateDec 31, 2019

Silencing retroviruses to awaken cell potential

A team from the University of Tsukuba identifies a novel silencing component called TAF-Iα that plays a crucial role in retroviral silencing during reprogramming. This discovery enables the production of high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy applications.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 27, 2019

Machine, meet stem cells

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes used a machine-learning approach to discover new ways of controlling the spatial organization of induced pluripotent stem cells. The model predicted patterns that could lead to the creation of functional organs for research or therapeutic purposes, and was found to be correct in simulating desired arr...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Systems·DateNov 20, 2019

Signaling waves determine embryonic fates

Researchers at Rice University discovered dynamic molecular signaling waves that prompt cell differentiation and trigger the formation of germ layers in human embryos. The study counters previous theories by showing gradients do not exist in stem-cell colonies and the process is more dynamic than previously appreciated.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 28, 2019

Embryo's early development revealed in a dish

Bioscientists at Rice University have created a system to form all major cell types of ectoderm in a culture dish, allowing for the most comprehensive analysis yet of signaling pathways that drive patterning. The balance between two signaling pathways, BMP and Wnt, is critical, and cells can take more than one road to get there.

SourceRice University·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 17, 2019

Stem cell researchers reactivate 'back-up genes' in the lab

Researchers have unraveled a mechanism to reactivate 'back-up genes' on the inactive X chromosome, which could help treat Rett syndrome and other X-linked disorders. The study found that different genes require varying amounts of time to become active again, with location and proteins playing key roles.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalGenome Research·DateSep 12, 2019

Brain stem cells have a good memory

Researchers at UNIGE have discovered that brain progenitor cells can recover their past skills and rejuvenate when transplanted into a young mouse embryo. This finding sheds light on how the brain constructs itself and opens up new possibilities for cortical neuroregeneration.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2019

FEFU scientists likely found way to grow new teeth for patients

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University have discovered chromophobe cells that contribute to human tooth development. The findings provide a basis for developing bioengineering therapies in dentistry and gastroenterology, potentially leading to more effective treatments with longer-lasting implants.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Applied and Fundamental Research (Международный журнал прикладных и фундаментальных исследований)·DateJun 27, 2019

Helping select the cells with the most potential

Osaka University researchers discovered a key regulatory mechanism in the development of normal pluripotent embryonic cells using the Hippo pathway. They found that TEAD and YAP proteins support pluripotency in blastocysts by activating cell competition, leading to elimination of low-potential cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 27, 2019

Growing embryonic tissues on a chip

Scientists have developed a method to grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, mimicking the dynamic range of morphogen concentrations that tell stem cells what type of specialized cell and tissue to become. This breakthrough has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and understanding developmental biology.

The start of a new era in stem cell therapy

A recent study has improved upon Nobel Laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka's cellular reprogramming method, reducing the waiting period from 3-4 weeks to approximately a week. The new method also increases the success rate up to ten-fold, making it easier to apply in clinical settings.

SourceKoc University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 13, 2019

Mount Sinai discovers placental stem cells that can regenerate heart after heart attack

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered Cdx2 cells, a type of placental stem cell, that can regenerate healthy heart cells after heart attacks in animal models. These cells have the ability to target injury sites and avoid rejection by the host immune system, making them promising for regenerative therapy.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

The immaculate conception?

Researchers at Hebrew University have discovered a way to transform skin cells into the three major stem cell types that comprise early-stage embryos. This breakthrough has significant implications for modelling embryonic disease, placental dysfunctions, and infertility problems by creating human embryos in a petri dish.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 2, 2019

Embryos' signals take multiple paths

Researchers found that stem cells are sensitive to the speed of signaling molecule delivery, not just its concentration. This discovery highlights the dynamic interactions between morphogens and cells during embryonic development, allowing for more precise control over cell fates and potentially leading to new ways to drive cellular di...