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New way to harvest stem cells better for donors

Australian scientists have developed a new method for harvesting stem cells that eliminates the need for growth factor injections, reducing side effects for donors. The new method combines two molecules to mobilize stem cells into the bloodstream within an hour of administration.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2016

Regenerating orthopedic tissues within the human body

Duke researchers have successfully used gene therapy to induce stem cells to produce growth factor proteins, overcoming the challenge of delivering these proteins after implantation. The technique allows for long-term delivery and could be applied to various orthopedic tissues, presenting a significant step toward commercialization.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

How the gut gets its villi

Research reveals that gut villification is caused by mechanical compression of the epithelium sheet, rather than active mechanisms involving growth factors. This process involves the spontaneous buckling of the epithelium into longitudinal folds and zigzag patterns, ultimately forming villi.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalScience·DateOct 14, 2013

Environmental enrichment important factor impacting cell transplantation and brain repair

Researchers found that environmental enrichment, including running and exposure to novel objects, improved neurobehavioral function in mice after transplanting adipose-derived stem cells. Exercise-induced fibroblast growth factor 2 enhanced brain repair by promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and astrocytic activation.

New ability to regrow blood vessels holds promise for treatment of heart disease

Researchers have developed a new and effective way to regrow blood vessels, potentially bypassing surgery and repairing damaged vessels through injection of a lipid-incased substance. This method has shown promise in treating chronic myocardial ischemia disease, affecting up to 27 million patients in the US.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2012

Engineering cartilage replacements

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a method to engineer cartilage replacements using mesenchymal stem cells and tiny beads filled with growth factor. The new approach showed promising results in creating thicker, stiffer cartilage than previous methods.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateDec 2, 2011

8 hours of resistance

Researchers discovered that cancerous cells quickly divide after receiving a growth factor signal because their p53 gene is defective. Healthy cells, on the other hand, wait eight continuous hours before dividing to ensure they receive necessary signals.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 25, 2011

Growing cartilage -- no easy task

Researchers design a bioactive nanomaterial that activates bone marrow stem cells to produce natural cartilage. The treatment shows promise in repairing damaged joints with better results than conventional microfracture procedures.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2010

Syndecan-4 regulates wound repair in vivo

Syndecan-4 is essential for wound repair, as its knockout leads to marked defects in angiogenesis and tissue healing. In contrast, fibroblasts from syndecan-4-deficient mice display normal focal adhesion assembly and response to FGF-2.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 9, 2001