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New mutation in the desmoplakin gene leads to ACM

Researchers identified a new mutation in the desmoplakin gene that leads to cardiac disease arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). The mutation affects heart muscle cell connections and ion channel function, highlighting the importance of desmosomes in maintaining healthy heart function.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 2, 2023

Aging | Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs

A new study has identified distinct patterns of circular RNA expression in human ALS muscle tissue, which display disease-specific gradients and could inform about neuromuscular molecular programs in ALS. The research reveals that specific circRNAs are elevated in ALS muscle biopsies but reduced in spinal cord samples from ALS patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2023

Sculpting the human body plan in a dish

Scientists at ASHBi have successfully generated a 3D model that recapitulates the early stages of human body plan development, including somite formation and axial skeleton development. The study revealed the importance of retinoids in this process and demonstrated its potential for understanding congenital spine disease.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2022

BioRescue produces primordial germ cells from northern white rhino stem cells – a world’s first for large mammals

Scientists have successfully created primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLSs) from induced pluripotent stem cells of the northern white rhino Nabire, paving the way to produce artificial gametes. This breakthrough aims to prevent the extinction of the northern white rhinoceros and increase genetic diversity.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells from endangered avian species; Okinawa rail, Japanese ptarmigan, Blakiston’s fish owl, and Japanese golden eagle

Researchers created iPSCs from Okinawa rail, Japanese ptarmigan, Blakiston's fish owl, and Japanese golden eagle for conservation. The cells can differentiate into various cell types, providing a valuable resource for evaluating disease risks and pollution.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 25, 2022

Stem cell study reveals how neurons from PTSD patients react to stress

A new stem cell study provides insight into how neurons from individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) respond to stress hormones. The research found that these cells are hypersensitive to the stress hormone hydrocortisone, which could help explain why some people develop PTSD after trauma exposure.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

‘Love hormone’ revealed to have heart healing properties

Researchers discover that oxytocin stimulates stem cells to migrate and develop into cardiomyocytes in zebrafish and human cell cultures. This could lead to the regeneration of damaged hearts after a heart attack. The study found that oxytocin also activates EpiPCs, which can replenish lost cardiomyocytes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2022

The blood stem cell research that could change medicine of the future

Researchers at UNSW Sydney have made significant discoveries about embryonic blood stem cell creation that could one day eliminate the need for blood stem cell donors. Two studies have emerged from UNSW researchers in this area that shine new light on how precursors to blood stem cells occur in animals and humans, and how they may be i...

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2022

Nothing to cry about: The development of tear duct organoids

Scientists at Osaka University created 3D human stem cell-derived lacrimal gland organoids that mimic the human tear duct. The organoids exhibited organization and branching patterns characteristic of the human lacrimal gland, demonstrating potential as a platform for regenerative therapies for dry eye syndrome.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022

Lab grown, self-sustainable muscle cells repair muscle injury and disease, mouse study shows

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully cultivated human muscle stem cells capable of renewing themselves and repairing muscle tissue damage in mice. The self-renewing stem cells were created by reprogramming laboratory-grown human skin cells, which then differentiated into specific cell types using a nutrient-rich broth.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 20, 2022

It’s all in the hiPS

A team of researchers from Osaka University and Kyoto University developed a stem cell-based biomaterial, hiPS-Cart, to treat IVD degeneration and prevent further deterioration. The biomaterial was able to survive and maintain its functionality in lab rats with NP removal, reversing IVF and vertebral bone degeneration.

SourceOsaka University·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2022

Researchers identify sustainable source of immunodeficiency virus-resistant immune cells

Researchers have successfully generated large numbers of virus-resistant immune cells from monkeys using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new treatment for HIV/AIDS by providing an alternative to current therapies that require lifelong medication and can cause side effects.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMar 31, 2022

IU School of Medicine-led study shows human induced pluripotent stem cells improve visual acuity, vascular health

Researchers successfully differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells into specific mesoderm subset for use as a novel therapy to rescue ischemic tissues and repair blood vessels. The results demonstrate significant improvement in visual acuity and electroretinograms with restoration of vascular perfusion in animal models.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 10, 2022

Mutant stem cells defy rules of development

A recent study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that mouse stem cells can spontaneously transition from heart cell precursors to brain cell precursors when a specific gene is removed. This discovery upends current understanding of how stem cells differentiate into adult cells and maintain their identity. The study's findings h...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2022

Multi-organoid system to simulate human liver-islet axis in normal and type 2 diabetes

Researchers developed a novel multi-organoid system to simulate the human liver-islet axis, enabling 3D co-culture of hiPSC-derived organoids for up to 30 days. The system exhibited cooperative interaction between liver and islet organoids, reflecting the dynamic interplay among organs in type 2 diabetes.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 25, 2022

Improved retinal transplant technique ready for clinical trials

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new retinal transplant technique by engineering human-derived retina sheets to lose bipolar cells, allowing better connections to host retinas and improved responses to light. The technique has shown substantial functional improvement in animal studies and is now poised for human clinical trials.

SourceRIKEN·JournaliScience·DateJan 25, 2022

Breakthrough research on human embryo models paves the way for improving in vitro fertilization success rate and new non-hormonal, user-friendly contraception

Researchers have discovered molecules that could be candidates for contraceptives or fertility enhancers using human blastoid models. These models also show promise in improving the self-organization of stem cells during IVF procedures.

Cystic fibrosis patients may see personalized treatments emerge from “drug screening in a dish,” stem cell research finds

Stem cell researchers have developed a new method to identify and develop personalized therapies for Cystic Fibrosis patients with rare mutations. By growing precursor lung cells from patients' own blood, they can screen for new drugs and validate responses in mature airway cells.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 21, 2021

Developing a treatment for vision loss through transplant of photoreceptor precursors

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed a treatment for vision loss through the transplantation of photoreceptor precursors. This innovative approach holds great promise as an alternative to gene therapy, which has limited efficacy due to genetic heterogeneity and advanced retinal degeneration.

Scientists develop brain organoids with complex neural activity

Researchers at UCLA developed brain organoids that mimic human brain structure and function, allowing for the study of neurological disorders like Rett syndrome. The organoids showed organized waves of activity similar to those found in living brains and responded to treatment with an experimental drug.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Researchers identify a cellular defect common to familial and sporadic forms of ALS

A study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a common cellular defect in ALS that can be treated with an antisense oligonucleotide drug. Researchers found that the accumulation of CHMP7 protein in the nucleus leads to nuclear pore injury and TDP-43 mislocalization, ultimately causing cell death.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Generation of conjunctivae in a dish

Researchers from Osaka University successfully generated functional conjunctival tissue in a dish, enabling the study of conjunctivae and the development of novel drugs for dry eye disease. The newly formed tissue contained goblet cells that produce mucins, mimicking human conjunctival biology.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 2, 2021

How herpes infection may impair human fetal brain development

A study found that herpes simplex virus type 1 infection can cause impaired neuronal differentiation and abnormal brain structure in the human fetus, contributing to long-term neurological problems. The research also identified HSV-1-infected microglia promoting inflammation and suggesting new therapeutic avenues for targeting viral re...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 22, 2020

Discovery in human acute myeloid leukemia could provide novel pathway to new treatments

A study published in Cell Reports reveals that human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells are dependent on the transcription factor RUNX1, which could lead to lasting remissions or even cures. The researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient with AML to recreate leukemia stem cell biology in the lab.

Developing human corneal tissue

Scientists at Osaka University have developed a new method to isolate and generate human corneal tissue from induced pluripotent stem cells. By using specific proteins and magnetic-activated cell sorting technology, researchers were able to purify corneal epithelial cells and produce highly pure corneal sheets for therapeutic purposes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 21, 2020

Modeling the human eye in a dish

Scientists from Osaka University created a new cellular model of the human eye using hiPSCs, enabling them to isolate specific cells involved in eye development and study related diseases. The novel model uses PITX2, a key protein during eye development, to track cell expression and differentiate between eye cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 24, 2020

Heart attack modeled with human stem cells

Scientists at Okayama University created a human stem cell-based model of myocardial infarction, allowing for the evaluation of tissue damage and inflammation. This new model offers a more accurate representation of human heart conditions, enabling the development of more effective preventive and therapeutic medicines.

SourceOkayama University·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateNov 7, 2019

Transforming DNA repair errors into assets

A new bioinformatics tool, MHcut, reveals that microhomology-mediated end joining is more common in humans than previously thought. Using this tool and commercial genome-editing technology, researchers created precise gene mutations to model diseases, providing insights into rare and orphan diseases.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 28, 2019