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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

Understanding a broken heart

A new study reveals that heart failure leaves a 'stress memory' in hematopoietic stem cells, which can lead to recurrent heart failure and other health issues. The researchers propose improving TGF-β levels as a new avenue for treating recurrent heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 2024

Organoids reveal how to protect the brain against dementia and ALS following traumatic injury, according to USC Stem Cell study

A traumatic brain injury quadruples the risk of developing dementia and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. USC scientists used lab-grown human brain structures called organoids to study TBI's effects. They identified a gene, KCNJ2, that helps protect nerve cells against injury.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2024

‘gene of prejudice’ demystifies autism

Scientists have identified the 'gene of prejudice' GTF2I as crucial in regulating social behavior. The gene's deletion or duplication leads to variations in personality, with individuals having either a 'cocktail party personality' or autistic traits. This research may lead to new treatments for autism and shed light on human sociality.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 28, 2024

HPV’s hidden hand: New study by Pusan National University scientists reveals key details in head and neck cancer microenvironment

A recent study by Pusan National University scientists discovered the crucial role of PKM gene and EPHA2 pathway in HNSCC development. The research highlights the importance of HPV infection status in shaping the tumor microenvironment, enabling precision medicine for targeted treatment.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2024

Drug used for cocaine addiction may pave way for new treatment of advanced colon cancer

A new study from the University of Ottawa proposes using vanoxerine, a drug initially developed for cocaine addiction, to potentially treat advanced colon cancer. Vanoxerine has been found to suppress cancer stem cell activity in colon cancer patients' tissues and tumours implanted in laboratory animals. The drug works by interfering w...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Cancer·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 13, 2024

Johns Hopkins researchers make progress toward developing blood tests for psychiatric and neurological disorders

Johns Hopkins researchers have made progress toward developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric disorders. They identified 26 placental mRNAs present in maternal blood only during pregnancy, which reflected changes occurring inside the tissues.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 7, 2024

Study reveals key molecular mechanisms involved in development of tomato plant

The study shows how interaction between plant hormone gibberellin and small RNA molecules enables the development of ovaries, followed by fruit and seeds in tomatoes. This knowledge serves as a basis for ways to increase tomato yield by manipulating the genetic and physiological basis of microRNA and hormone interactions.

The pedigree of brain cells

Researchers have mapped the lineage of neural stem cells in the superior colliculus, revealing an exceptional capacity to generate different types of neurons. The study also found that neural stem cells retain their ability to produce any type of neuron until the end of development.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2023

First multi-chamber heart organoids unravel human heart development and disease

Researchers create a new, multi-chamber organoid model of the human heart, enabling them to advance screening platforms for drug development, toxicology studies, and understanding heart development. The model reveals intricate communication between chambers and provides insight into early heart development.

The autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 could impact early stages of human brain development, USC study reveals

A new USC study reveals that variants of the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 can disrupt early brain development in the cortex, a region involved in higher-order cognitive functions. The research found that disease-causing variants of SYNGAP1 alter the cells' cytoskeletons and lead to disorganized neural circuits.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023

New clues to early development of schizophrenia

Researchers have discovered axonal dysregulation in the prenatal brain as a mediator of genetic risk for schizophrenia. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells and three-dimensional brain organoids to identify key genes involved, including CYFIP1, which is highly expressed in microglia.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023

UCLA-led team finds a stem-cell derived mechanism that could lead to regenerative therapies for heart damage

A UCLA-led team has identified RBFox1, an RNA splicing regulator, as a key player in promoting human stem cell-derived heart muscle cell maturation. This finding offers a deeper understanding of heart muscle cell development and hints at future therapeutic applications for regenerative therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2023

Suppression of cancer stemness and drug resistance via BRAF/EGFR/MEK inhibition in colorectal cancer cells

Researchers discovered that inhibiting the BRAF/EGFR/MEK pathway significantly reduced cancer stemness and drug resistance in primary colorectal cancer cells. The study also identified a triple combination treatment against BRAF, EGFR, and MEK as a promising approach to block these activities and develop effective treatments.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

Lungs play a critical role in fetal blood development, new study from Boston Medical Center and Boston University’s Center for regenerative medicine finds

A recent study by Boston Medical Center and Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine discovered that hemogenic endothelial cells in the fetal lung contribute to blood cell formation. This breakthrough expands our understanding of blood development and its relationship with overall health.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalBlood Advances·DateSep 20, 2023

New model for in vitro production of human brown fat cells lays groundwork for obesity, diabetes cell therapy

A new model for producing human brown fat cells in vitro has been developed, providing a potential solution for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. The researchers identified key cellular signaling cues that lead to brown adipocyte formation and successfully reproduced this process in human pluripotent stem cells.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2023

Wellcome Sanger Institute: Multiple organ functions of yolk sac revealed by early human development map

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute mapped the multiple organ functions of the human yolk sac, revealing its role in producing key hormones and blood cells. The study provides novel insights into the earliest stages of immune cell development and has implications for understanding childhood diseases.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 17, 2023

Hitting reset to start a new embryo

Researchers identified OBOX genes as master regulators of zygote genome activation, enabling the newly formed embryo to develop according to its own genetic program. The study found that these genes facilitate Pol II locating to the correct genes, allowing for the activation of transcription factors and subsequent development.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 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