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Lab-grown retinal cells show promise for new eye therapies

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have successfully grown specialized blood vessel cells critical to retinal health from induced pluripotent stem cells. These 'retinal endothelial cells' integrated into damaged tissue to regenerate blood vessels, restore function, and form functional vascular tissue in a lab-grown environment.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2026

Efficacy of immunosuppressive regimens for survival of stem cell-derived grafts

A new study has identified optimized immunosuppressive strategies that allow transplanted iPSC-CMs to survive without immune rejection in non-human primates. The researchers found a triple-drug regimen consisting of methylprednisolone, calcineurin inhibitors, and mycophenolate mofetil reliably prevents acute immune rejection.

SourceShinshu University·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026

iPS cells from dish to freezer and back

Researchers at Kobe University developed a method to preserve iPS cells directly in their culture dishes using D-proline as a cryoprotectant. This allows for easy automation of the process, reducing costs and increasing efficiency in regenerative medicine and drug discovery research. The breakthrough enables the direct freezing, thawin...

SourceKobe University·JournalBiochemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025

Making more supply to meet the demands of muscle cell therapy

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a new method to generate more and potent skeletal muscle progenitor cells. The study found that blocking the activity of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) yields a twofold increase in cell yield, while also delivering more mature and effective cells for regenerative medicine treatment.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2025

Stem cells repair mouse brains post-stroke

Stem cell transplantation has been shown to reverse stroke damage in mice by regenerating neurons and restoring motor functions. The treatment also improved blood-brain barrier integrity, reduced inflammation, and promoted new blood vessel formation.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2025

UCLA researchers find how epilepsy genes disrupt different brain regions using stem cell models

Researchers found distinct effects of single disease-causing gene variants across different brain regions, pointing to hippocampal disruptions as a key factor in cognitive problems beyond seizures. This study provides an early step toward understanding why current treatments often fall short and may help identify new therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2025

Cultured nerve tissue can be used in ALS studies

Researchers at Uppsala University have created a model of human nerve tissue using 3D printing, enabling the testing of new drug treatments in a lab environment. This innovation allows for more precise medicine and could potentially lead to improved treatment options for ALS patients.

SourceUppsala University·JournalInternational Journal of Bioprinting·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025

20 nM Pladienolide B +6 h treatment = totipotent stem cells? The new method captures totipotency

A new method captures totipotency using a short-term high-dose treatment of Pladienolide B, reprogramming classical mouse embryonic stem cells into transient totipotent blastomere-like stem cells. These cells exhibit remarkable developmental potential and self-organize into blastoid structures mimicking early embryonic development.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025

A chemical approach to expand the developmental potentials of conventional human pluripotent stem cells

Scientists discovered a novel method to activate extraembryonic trophoblast potentials in conventional human pluripotent stem cells through transient treatment of epigenetic regulators. This approach holds promise for advancing understanding and treatment of diseases related to placental development.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2025

The origin of stem cells

Researchers identified critical proteins involved in animal stem cell regulation, including SOX and POU transcription factors, which existed in single-celled organisms over 700 million years ago. These ancient proteins retained functional properties that enabled them to induce stem cell reprogramming in mouse cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 21, 2024

Human stem cell-derived heart cells are safe in monkeys, could treat congenital heart disease

Researchers have successfully transplanted human stem cell-derived heart cells into monkeys with a rare heart condition, offering a potential treatment for congenital heart defects. The study demonstrated the safety and integration of these cells into the host myocardium, paving the way for future clinical applications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2024

Kumamoto University scientists achieve successful reproduction of hematopoietic stem cell developmental process in an in vitro culture system

Researchers at Kumamoto University have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in stem cell biology by reproducing the developmental process of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro. This culture system enhances our understanding of HSC development and has the potential to be instrumental in stem cell therapy and blood disease treatments.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2024

Finding the right path(way) to reduce fat accumulation in the liver

A team at Medical University of South Carolina identified a pathway to reduce fat accumulation in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They used a novel stem cell platform and screened 1,100 compounds to find five that more than halved fat droplets on treated liver cells.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2024

Pausing biological clock could give boost to lab-produced blood stem cells

Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a potential breakthrough in producing lab-grown blood stem cells by pausing the initial activation of inflammatory signals. This allows for the production of hundreds of functional stem cells, which could replace bone marrow transplants for blood disorders such as leukemia and anemia.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

In world 1st, high-quality feline iPSCs generated without genetic footprint

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully generated high-quality feline induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without a genetic footprint. These cells exhibit properties similar to human iPSCs and can differentiate into various cell types, making them a promising tool for veterinary regenerative medicine research.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalRegenerative Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

Blood stem cell breakthrough could transform bone marrow transplants

Melbourne researchers have developed a breakthrough in creating lab-grown human blood stem cells, which can be used to treat childhood blood disorders. The cells closely mimic those found in the human embryo and can create specific matched blood cells for transplantation, reducing complications and addressing donor shortages.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2024

Mini lungs make major COVID-19 discoveries possible

Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect more types of lung cells than previously thought, including those without known viral receptors. The study also found that the lung can independently muster an inflammatory antiviral response without immune system help when exposed to the virus.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024

Heart disease model puts cells to work

Researchers develop a model of heart disease by tricking stem cells to behave like mature heart cells with a mutation that causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study reveals the connection between mechanical stress and electrical function in hearts, shedding light on why genetic mutations can cause arrhythmias.

Tackling the hurdle of tumor formation in stem cell therapies

A breakthrough discovery by Nara Institute of Science and Technology researchers identifies EPHA2 as a critical surface protein for preserving stem cell potency. This finding holds promise for safer regenerative medicine by reducing the risk of tumorigenesis, paving the way for organ repair and treatment of degenerative conditions.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2024

JAX researchers make mice a more powerful tool to study a wide range of human diseases

JAX researchers develop platform to mimic genetic diversity in humans, allowing for precise modeling of disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The platform enables direct comparison between mouse and human cells, providing molecular insights into autism, intellectual disability, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2024

Immune system plays crucial step in creating blood stem cells

A microbial sensor, Nod1, plays a crucial role in the development of blood stem cells. The discovery could lead to the creation of patient-derived blood stem cells, eliminating the need for bone marrow transplants and improving lives of leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia patients. Researchers are continuing to study the complex interaction...

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

Combining cell types may lead to improved cardiac cell therapy following heart attack

A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Academia Sinica of Taiwan has successfully combined lab-grown cardiomyocytes with stem-cell-derived endothelial cells to regenerate damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. This combination therapy holds promise for tackling arrhythmia and could lead to improved clinical applications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCirculation·DateOct 31, 2023

BU researchers describe rebuilding, regenerating lung cells

Researchers from the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a novel approach for engrafting engineered cells into injured lung tissue. They successfully reconstituted the stem cell compartment of injured airways and alveoli using cells engineered from pluripotent stem cells, resulting i...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

Study optimizes patient-specific stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have made key discoveries in a new stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, using patients’ own cells to replace lost neurons. The approach, called an autologous therapy, has shown promise in reversing symptoms of the disease in rat models and holds potential for clinical trials with improved success rates.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 19, 2023

A key function for tight junctions in embryo models

A study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that tight junctions between cells may play a critical role in gastrulation in human embryos. By suppressing tight junction formation, the team was able to create primordial germ cell-like cells, which are stem cells resembling human precursors of sperm and egg cells.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 17, 2023

Transplantation of genome-edited iPS cells delivers therapeutic molecules in vivo

This study demonstrates the potential of cell therapy using genome-edited iPS cells secreting therapeutic molecules, such as mNAGA, to supply GLA activity in vivo. Transplantation of these cells improved GLA activity in the liver, but not in other organs, and future enhancements are possible through genome editing.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science·JournalCell Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2023