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Scientists trace the stem cells that repopulate bone marrow after transplantation

Researchers have identified a distinct subset of hematopoietic stem cells capable of fully repopulating the bone marrow after transplantation. These cells, marked by specific surface markers, were found to be essential for successful bone marrow transplantation in nonhuman primates and show promise for human applications.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 1, 2017

Sulfur respiration in mammals

Researchers identified a sulfur metabolite with antioxidant activity that supports mitochondrial energy metabolism, a crucial process for cellular function. This finding highlights the potential of enzymes involved in sulfur respiration to treat diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 30, 2017

New way to prevent unfavorable intestinal microbiota

Researchers found that antimicrobial peptide R-Spondin1 stimulates intestinal stem cells to differentiate into Paneth cells, which secrete alpha-defensins with strong antimicrobial activity. Administration of R-Spondin1 restored gut microbiota in mice with graft-versus-host disease, preventing depletion of Paneth cells and dysbiosis.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 24, 2017

Life-long blood production depends on hundreds of cells that form prior to birth

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that hundreds of precursor cells, not just a handful, are involved in establishing the blood system before birth. This discovery has clinical implications, as understanding how the blood system emerges can help unravel the origins of disease and identify susceptible cells.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateSep 18, 2017

Link between cells associated with aging and bone loss

Researchers discovered a causal link between senescent cells and age-related bone loss in mice. Targeting these cells increased bone mass and strength. The study's findings suggest that senolytic drugs may have widespread application in treating multiple chronic diseases, including osteoporosis.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 21, 2017

Sending the right signals

Dr. Warren Ruder is developing microparticles carrying engineered bacteria known as 'smart biomaterials' to reprogram mammalian cell signaling and influence disease outcomes. His goal is to use these hybrid biomaterials to better understand how cell signaling works and affect many diseases.

An evolutionary breakpoint in cell division

Researchers from Osaka University have found that the interaction between M18BP1/KNL2 and CENP-A proteins is crucial for cell division in various species except mammals, including humans. This essential protein interaction allows new CENP-A deposition into centromeres to maintain genome information equally during mitosis.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 30, 2017

Killing cancer in the heat of the moment

Researchers from Kyoto University developed a new method to transfer genes into cancer cells using gold nanorods coated with oleate and DOTAP. The nanorods are activated by near-infrared laser heat, inducing cell death in surrounding cancer cells.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 8, 2017

Infants born preterm may lack key lung cells later in life

Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that preterm infants may be more susceptible to lung diseases due to a lack of alveolar type II cells. These cells play a crucial role in rebuilding lung tissue after damage and producing pulmonary surfactant, a vital compound for healthy lungs.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJun 9, 2017

Mapping DROSHA's cleavage sites

Researchers developed fCLIP-seq to analyze DROSHA's impact on miRNA fragments, revealing hundreds of new cleavage sites and alternative processing patterns. The study uncovers additional end modifications important for miRNA biogenesis, shedding light on its regulation in diseases like cancer.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 20, 2017

How to hack a cell

A new study by Boston University engineer Wilson Wong outlines a simplified platform to target and program mammalian cells as genetic circuits, enabling researchers to make complex computations. The BLADE platform uses DNA recombinases to allow for more targeted manipulation of cells and their behavior.

SourceBoston University College of Engineering·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 4, 2017

Cells adapt ultra-rapidly to zero gravity

Researchers found that mammalian cells can respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly, recovering full function within 42 seconds. This rapid adaptation challenges previous assumptions about cell behavior in space, providing good news for manned space flight.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017