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A case of 'kiss and tell': Chromosomal kissing gets less elusive

A study by Philipp Maass and Anja Weise found that chromosomes 12 and 17 frequently interact with each other across different individuals, resulting in recurrent patterns. This interaction is linked to a human genetic condition, brachydactyly, where the deletion of a specific gene alters chromosomal arrangements and disturbs interactions.

Why we make blood cells in our bones

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered that the 'blood stem cell niche' evolved to protect blood stem cells from ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. This finding has significant implications for improving the safety of blood stem cell transplants, a procedure used to treat patients with blood diseases and cancers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2018

Periodontal cell sheet technique promotes bone and ligament formation on dental implant

Researchers used periodontal ligament-derived stem cells to create a cell sheet that promoted the formation of both cementum- and PDL-like tissue in dogs. This innovative work combines traditional dental implants with stem cell sheet technology, offering a promising solution for widespread dental health care issues.

First 3D-printed human corneas

Scientists at Newcastle University successfully printed the first human corneas using a unique gel-like substance and 3D printing technology. The breakthrough could provide an unlimited supply of corneas for transplantation, addressing a significant shortage that affects millions worldwide.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalExperimental Eye Research·DateMay 29, 2018

Digging into new ethical issues around stem cells

A special section in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine examines the newest and most complex issues surrounding stem cells. The issue includes essays on the potential impacts of using a person's own stem cells on patients, health-care systems, and the public trust in science and medicine.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPerspectives in Biology and Medicine·DateMay 22, 2018

Protein can slow intestinal tumor growth

Researchers at Stockholm University discovered a new mechanism regulating stem cells in the fruit fly's intestine and found that a specific protein can slow tumour growth. The study sheds light on how intestinal diseases occur and may contribute to the development of new medicine to prevent and cure them.

SourceStockholm University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 19, 2018

Lung stem cells repair airways after injury

Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered glandular myoepithelial cells that can regenerate airways after severe injury. These reserve stem cells can develop into new replacement cells in both submucosal glands and the lining of the airway, offering a potential therapeutic target for lung diseases.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 12, 2018

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

Nanostructures created at UCLA could make gene therapies safer, faster & more affordable

Researchers at UCLA have created a new method for targeted gene delivery using 'nanospears,' which can enable safer, faster and more cost-effective gene therapies. The nanostructures are biodegradable and can be mass-produced inexpensively, delivering genetic information with minimal impact on cell viability and metabolism.

New-found stem cell helps regenerate lung tissue after acute injury, finds Penn study

Researchers have identified a lung stem cell that repairs the organ's gas exchange compartment and restores respiratory function after severe influenza and other respiratory ailments. The discovery provides new insights into lung regeneration and identifies novel genetic and epigenetic pathways important for lung regeneration.

Novel hypothesis on why animals diversified on Earth

A novel hypothesis proposes that animal diversification resulted from a revolution within the animals' own biology, rather than in surrounding chemistry. Cells with stem cell properties are vital for multicellular life, and tumor cells have developed mechanisms to maintain these properties despite high oxygen levels.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 18, 2018