Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells

Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice, allowing their developing red blood cells to produce a critical lysosomal enzyme and preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from Hurler's syndrome. This approach has the potential to improve treatment options for ...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2009

Brain drain of doctors from Pakistan, and more

A study published in PLoS Medicine explores the brain drain of doctors from Pakistan to the West. The authors argue that some Pakistani medical graduates who emigrate for higher training abroad have every intention of returning to their homeland with new expertise and knowledge, which can benefit the country's healthcare system.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 28, 2008

Effects of aging in stem cells

Aging hematopoietic stem cells decline in function due to increased inflammatory response and decreased chromatin remodeling, leading to epigenetic dysregulation. Despite this decline, overall blood production remains stable.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 23, 2007

University of Pittsburgh researchers culture blood-forming stem cells from human fat tissue

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh successfully isolated and cultured human hematopoietic stem cells from fat tissue, suggesting an alternate source for life-saving bone marrow transplants. The study's findings indicate that these stem cells are integral to normal adipose tissue and may provide a safer alternative for patients...

New hope for regenerative medicine

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have successfully used uniparental embryonic stem cells to replace blood stem cells in immunocompromised adult mice. The study demonstrates the potential of androgenetic as well as parthenogenetic ES cells for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 14, 2007

JCI table of contents: Feb. 1, 2007

Researchers found that an inhaled drug may provide a new therapeutic for asthma by inhibiting Th2 cell inflammatory responses. Additionally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation enabled infused tumor-reactive T cells to expand and increase tumor regression in mice.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2007

JCI table of contents: Oct. 2, 2006

Researchers at University of Texas Medical School identified proteins required for E. faecalis endocarditis, potentially leading to new treatment approaches. In another study, tumors induce immunosuppressive inflammatory monocytes that can blunt the anti-tumor immune response, providing new avenues for cancer therapy development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 2, 2006

Lost in the labyrinth

Scientists at EMBL have discovered that beta-catenin plays a central role in determining whether blood cells form or not, and that an overactive Wingless pathway can lead to leukemia and other diseases. The study provides new insights into the processes within cells that lead to cancer.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 3, 2006

Stem cell expansion

Researchers used HOXB4 to expand hematopoietic stem cells in monkeys, greatly improving their engraftment after radiation damage. The treatment could accelerate the recovery of patients with failed hematopoietic systems by expanding limited numbers of stem cells, such as those found in cord blood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 1, 2006

Fish and chips: A fast track to understanding blood development

Researchers identified 277 human genes with different expression profiles in stem and progenitor cells involved in blood cell development. The new method allows for functional validation of high-throughput gene expression analysis, with potential applications beyond blood development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 4, 2005