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Ultimate destiny

Researchers from Harvard Medical School and others have discovered that undifferentiated cells face multiple competing choices before committing to their ultimate destiny. By analyzing single-cell sequencing data, they found that genetic programs regulate various cellular functions and influence cell specialization.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateJun 6, 2019

Researchers discover cells that change their identity during normal development

Zebrafish have been found to have a type of pigment cell that can transform into another cell type during normal development, challenging the long-held dogma that once a cell has completed its development, it stays that way. This discovery sheds light on how cells differentiate and may hold implications for regenerative medicine.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2019

Scientists grow precursors for human pigment cells

Researchers at Kobe University successfully grew precursors for human pigment cells, providing a stable supply of melanocytes for research on melanoma and other pigment cell-related illnesses. These precursor cells can be used to study the causes of albinism, freckles, and melanoma.

SourceKobe University·JournalPigment Cell & Melanoma Research·DateMay 9, 2019

Pluripotency or differentiation -- That is the question

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discover key molecules in the cell nucleus that orchestrate paraspeckles formation, a structure linked to ALS progression. The discovery provides new insights into pluripotency and differentiation processes, potentially leading to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and therapeutic strategies for ALS.

Why do Hydra end up with just a single head?

Researchers at UNIGE discovered the identity of Hydra's inhibitor, protein Sp5, which maintains a single-headed adult body and regulates regenerative response. The mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in human tumors.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2019

Doing more with less

Researchers at University of Freiburg discover that reducing cell number in MSC clusters activates intrinsic differentiation program, prompting cartilage cell formation. Cell membrane proteins Caveolin-1 and N-Cadherin play key role in chondrogenic differentiation.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·DateJan 14, 2019

Citrate-based biomaterial fuels bone healing with less rejection

Researchers at Penn State have discovered that citrate, a natural product found in bones and citrus fruit, can fuel bone healing by providing extra energy for stem cells. This understanding will help develop slow-release biomaterials to speed up bone repair and reduce inflammation.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2018

A complete cell atlas and lineage tree of the immortal flatworm

Researchers from Max Delbrück Center have published a comprehensive study on the Schmidtea mediterranea flatworm, creating a detailed cell atlas and lineage tree. The work provides new insights into cellular regeneration processes and offers a powerful approach to studying stem cells and their lineages in multiple animals.

Back to the beginning

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new process to generate NP-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The team mimicked the embryonic development process to produce nucleus pulposus cells, which could potentially be used to treat degenerative disc disease.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·DateApr 17, 2018

An index measures similarity between cancer cells and pluripotent stem cells

Researchers developed an index measuring similarity between cancer cells and pluripotent stem cells to predict tumor aggressiveness, treatment resistance, and clinical outcome. The index may help identify novel therapeutic targets against cancer by pinpointing the point at which tumor cells acquire stem cell-like characteristics.

Bioengineered tooth bud model functionalized with decellularized tooth bud ECM

Researchers created a 3D bioengineered tooth bud model using Gelatin Methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel and postnatal dental stem cells. Decellularized tooth bud extracellular matrix (dTB ECM) was introduced to enhance dental stem cell differentiation, resulting in whole tooth structures upon in vivo implantation

Engineered cartilage template to heal broken bones

Researchers at UConn Health developed a novel hybrid hydrogel system to promote endochondral ossification, a process critical for long bone formation. The system uses fibrin and hyaluronan to guide the growth of cartilage templates, which release factors that initiate vascularized bone formation.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateMar 8, 2018

Unpacking asymmetric cell division

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol lipids and proteins in asymmetric cell division, a process vital for producing mature brain cells. They discovered a new protein called Vibrator, which plays a key role in this complex process.

Ribosomes found to induce somatic cell pluripotency

A research team from Kumamoto University has discovered that ribosomes, the protein synthesizing organelle, can induce somatic cells to acquire pluripotency. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating cancer and regenerating cells, as previously differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into multipotent stem cells.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 4, 2018

Crowding in the skin

Researchers found that local stress induced by crowding leads to differentiation, triggering the movement of stem cells upwards in the tissue. This mechanism helps maintain balanced numbers of stem and differentiated cells, ensuring proper skin function.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 13, 2017