Researchers have developed a new laser-activated bio-adhesive polymer called SurgiLux, which forms low-energy bonds with tissues when activated by light. This technology has the potential to replace traditional sutures in clinical settings, particularly for delicate tissues like neurons or blood vessels.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center identify a unique rat model of bladder regeneration, which may help understand regenerative processes in mammals. The study found that cells in the bladder lining proliferate and transition into stem cells to repair damaged bladders.
Researchers discovered that influencing macrophage cells after injury can increase nerve regeneration rates by up to 20 times. The technique uses interleukin-4 cytokine to convert macrophages into a 'pro-healing' phenotype, promoting natural repair mechanisms.
Researchers create dynamic optical projection stereolithography (DOPsL) to print microscale 3D structures in seconds, enabling better cell growth and studying, as well as regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will study the cellular mechanisms behind an experimental stem cell therapy that regenerates healthy muscle in damaged hearts. The treatment has shown promising results, with a 50% reduction in scar size and improved cardiac regeneration.
Six UC San Diego researchers received over $7 million in CIRM funding to study human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. Their work aims to develop unlimited sources of transplantable beta-cells for diabetes patients and promote immunological tolerance to hESC-derived tissues.
Researchers have developed a new stem cell therapy that uses patient's own cells to regenerate craniofacial tissues, resulting in greater bone density and quicker bone repair. The treatment is best suited for large defects such as those resulting from trauma, diseases or birth defects.
Researchers have identified a molecular cue that maintains a quiescent pool of blood-forming stem cells in mouse bone marrow by regulating non-canonical Wnt-signaling. The study found that Flamingo and Frizzled 8 play a crucial role in maintaining the balance between long-term maintenance and ongoing tissue maintenance and regeneration.
Researchers at University of Nottingham are developing new injectable materials that stimulate stem cells to form new blood vessels, heart and bone tissue. The goal is to create radical new treatments for diseases with no cure, reducing the need for invasive surgery.
Researchers at WashU Medicine identified a protein called dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) that regulates signals telling the nerve cell it's injured, allowing nerve regeneration. The study shows DLK governs whether the neuron turns on its regenerative program.
Researchers have found that the omentum's fat cells can suppress the immune system by sequestering activated T cells, a finding that could lead to new drugs with fewer side effects. The omentum also helps regenerate damaged tissues through mesenchymal stem cells.
Scientists at University College London have discovered a potential new method to regenerate damaged skeletal muscle tissue using stem cells derived from amniotic fluid. The treatment resulted in improved survival rates and muscle activity in mice with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease affecting one in six thousand births.
Stem cells, essential building blocks of life, gradually lose their ability to maintain tissues and organs as they age. Researchers at the Salk Institute found that the stem cell niche's biological events contribute to this decline, but also discovered a mechanism to reverse it by increasing expression of Imp.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine developed a bio-hybrid device that acts as an 'inflammation thermostat' to control systemic inflammation in sepsis. The device loads human liver cells engineered to produce anti-inflammatory proteins, which balance inflammation and immune responses.
A Duke University Medical Center team has developed a method to convert scar tissue in the heart into functioning heart muscle cells using microRNAs. This approach eliminates the need for stem cell transplantation, potentially treating millions of people with heart failure caused by scar tissue after a heart attack.
Researchers are developing new cell-interactive resilin-like materials with mechanical properties similar to the natural protein to treat vocal fold disorders. The materials have been engineered to support the growth of multiple types of cells and exhibit biochemical and mechanical properties like those of healthy vocal fold tissue.
Researchers have successfully converted scar tissue into heart muscle cells using microRNA, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for heart attacks and heart failure. The study uses microRNAs as master switches to regulate gene expression, converting fibroblasts into functional heart muscle cells.
Researchers identified stem cells in gallbladder tissue with the ability to repopulate injured livers and improve synthetic functions. These cells hold promise for treating various liver and metabolic diseases, including diabetes.
Researchers at Kansas State University are developing genetic models to study diseases like Parkinson's and spinal cord injury. They aim to create cell lines that can help solve medical mysteries.
The PCP genetic pathway has been found to act as a stop sign for cell growth, signaling organisms when to halt growth. Inhibition of this pathway results in excess growth of neural tissue, offering new potential strategies for regenerative medicine and birth defect treatment.
A study found that bone marrow-derived progenitor cells promote liver regeneration in rats, improving our understanding of how liver tissue can regenerate following damage. Researchers also discovered a new determinant of human breast cancer metastasis, highlighting the potential for new therapeutics targeting this pathway.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified the role of stem and progenitor cells in liver regeneration. Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells were found to be required for liver regeneration following surgical removal, shedding light on liver complications associated with suppressed bone marrow tissue.
Effective regenerative therapies for heart disease hinge on collaboration between multiple specialties, including cardiovascular medicine and device technology. Recent advances in cardiac stem cell and regenerative biology are yielding potential new targets and treatment strategies.
A UCLA study reveals that migrating cells exhibit a tendency to turn right in response to environmental changes, leading to the formation of diagonal stripes resembling tissue architecture. The researchers believe this phenomenon holds promise for developing new methods for tissue engineering and organ regeneration.
Researchers at Queen's University have developed a soft tissue replacement technology using discarded human fat, showing promise in promoting natural soft tissue regeneration. The technology can be used to repair or replace damaged or missing soft tissue caused by various injuries or surgeries.
The new journal Advances in Wound Care offers rapid dissemination of the latest scientific discoveries and translational research in acute and chronic wound care. It covers various topics including limb salvage, chronic ulcers, burns, trauma, and surgical repair.
Researchers found that altered function of Tbx3 gene interferes with cardiac conduction system development, causing lethal arrhythmias. Studies with mice show that Tbx3 levels below a critical threshold lead to arrhythmia and death.
Scientists at NPL developed a functional model of the native extracellular matrix, providing structural support for cells to aid growth and proliferation. The model could lead to advances in regenerative medicine by mimicking the complex nano-to-microscale structure of the ECM.
A new study has detailed the skin microbes of the endangered Ozark Hellbender giant salamander, which may be contributing to its declining health and population loss. The research provides a baseline for understanding the impact of changing ecosystems on amphibians worldwide.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a hydrogel treatment that promotes new blood vessel formation and tissue regeneration, yielding scar-free skin in mouse tissue tests. The treatment has the potential to greatly improve healing for injured soldiers, home fire victims, and others with third-degree burns.
Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that manipulating serotonin's actions can tip the balance towards healthy tissue regeneration and block scarring in mouse models of chronic liver disease. This approach targets the 5-HT2B receptor, which instructs scar-forming cells to switch off regeneration.
A new study reveals that the recipient's immune system, specifically T-cells, alternately discourages and encourages stem cells to regrow bone and tissue. Administering regulatory T-cells or anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin increases the rate of bone growth and defect repair.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that two types of intestinal stem cells are related and can produce each other. This finding suggests that developmental pathways in human organs that regenerate quickly may be more flexible than previously appreciated.
Researchers have cloned human airway stem cells, which can form alveoli tissue and rapidly deploy in lung regeneration. The findings suggest new strategies for enhancing lung regeneration following damage from infection or chronic disease.
Researchers have identified adult stem cells that can regenerate lung tissue, providing hope for new treatments of acute and chronic airway diseases. The findings suggest that the lungs have a remarkable ability to regenerate after infection, with stem cells proliferating rapidly and assembling into alveolar-like structures.
Researchers at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore and Institute of Molecular Biology identify distal airway stem cells as the key to forming new alveoli, paving the way for novel therapies for respiratory diseases. The discovery provides insight into genes and secreted factors that can be used to enhance lung regeneration.
A recent study found that applying mechanical forces to a wound site immediately after healing began can disrupt vascular growth and prevent bone healing. However, delaying the application of mechanical stress until later in the healing process can enhance functional bone regeneration through adaptive remodeling.
A team of researchers identified a way to speed up the growth of damaged nerves, restoring muscle function in injured mice. The study suggests that increasing nerve growth rates may enhance functional recovery in patients with peripheral nerve damage.
Researchers have shown they can reverse the aging process for human adult stem cells, which are responsible for helping old or damaged tissues regenerate. The study found that suppressing the accumulation of toxic transcripts from retrotransposons allows for rejuvenation and resetting of 'aged' human stem cells.
Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University will develop biomaterials to capture molecules from embryonic stem cells for enhanced tissue regeneration in adults. The goal is to harness regenerative power of stem cells without tumor formation or immune system compatibility issues.
New research at NIST finds that controlling stem cell shape can induce specific types of cells, offering a simpler and cheaper alternative to biochemical supplements. The study compared five scaffold designs and found that only one, nanofiber scaffolds, successfully directed stem cells into bone-like structures.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to create synthetic collagen, which forms from a liquid in just an hour and has properties similar to native collagen. The material may be used as a scaffold for regenerating tissues and organs using stem cells.
This special issue of the Biological Bulletin explores various regenerative processes in animals, shedding light on mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Researchers studied regeneration in sea lampreys, snails, and other animals to gain insights into their gene regulatory networks.
Scientists at Tufts University have successfully used cellular laser microsurgery to track the migration and regeneration of melanocytes in a live organism. The technique could lead to new research avenues in wound repair, regenerative medicine, and cancer studies.
Researchers aim to develop new post-stroke therapy by repairing the blood-brain barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. If successful, this could lead to positive therapeutic outcomes for ischemic stroke patients who may have missed the limited 3-hour tPA window.
Researchers studied flatworms to understand how they regenerate their excretory systems from scratch, providing clues about the evolutionary origin of mammalian kidneys. They found that flatworm protonephridia, a complex epithelial organ, shares structural similarities with mammalian nephrons.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a new process for analyzing bone tissue, providing insights into the fight against osteoporosis and aiding forensic studies. The technique uses laser-capture microscopy to determine protein signatures in nanoscale bone samples.
A symposium on tissue injury and pulp regeneration has published proceedings that highlight the potential of dental pulp engineering for regenerating functional dentin. Researchers present data on stem cells, scaffolds, and differentiation factors, demonstrating proof of principle for pulp/dentin regeneration.
A team of researchers at Brown University and India Institute of Technology Kanpur created a scaffold-looking structure consisting of carbon nanofibers that regenerated natural heart tissue cells and neurons. The approach, if successful, would help millions of people suffering from heart attacks.
Researchers found that zebrafish fin regeneration relies on multiple cell types, each retaining its original identity, rather than a single pluripotent stem cell. This discovery has implications for regenerative medicine in humans.
Planarian flatworms can regenerate their entire body from a small piece of tissue due to the critical role of an ancient gene called notum. Notum determines whether a head or tail will regrow at amputation sites, enabling the worms to restore missing body parts.
Adult planarians possess pluripotent stem cells capable of producing diverse tissue types, allowing for the rebuilding of entire organisms from a single cell. The discovery could lead to insights into human regenerative medicine, as many genes in the planarian genome have human counterparts.
Researchers develop a new paradigm in human tissue regeneration, where engineered tissue constructs induce the body's own reparative mechanisms. The study, published in The FASEB Journal, provides evidence for the first clinical trial of engineered vascular grafts in children.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have discovered that planarian flatworms possess pluripotent stem cells called clonogenic neoblasts, which can differentiate into various tissue types and even replace all tissues in a host. This finding has significant implications for understanding regeneration in mammals.
Researchers found that a gene called notum determines whether planarian regrow head or tail at amputation sites. This study suggests that animals can 'decide' what needs to be regenerated based on tissue orientation at wound sites.
Researchers discovered losartan improves muscle regeneration and prevents wasting away from inactivity in geriatric mice. The study suggests losartan may have broader clinical applications in protecting against immobilization atrophy in older adults.
Scientists have created a chemically synthesized siRNA molecule that decreases RhoA protein production, promoting tissue healing and reducing pain after spinal cord injuries. The minimally-invasive treatment shows promise for treating over 250,000 people living with spinal cord injuries in the US.
Researchers have identified a low-molecular weight TrkB antagonist with potent behavioral effects that suggest it will have antidepressant and anti-anxiety activity in humans. The compound, ANA-12, was discovered through a screen of stable small molecules that could specifically inhibit TrkB action. Additionally, a study on type 1 diab...
Researchers at University of Western Ontario developed a strategy to stimulate blood vessel formation in tissues lacking oxygen, potentially treating conditions like coronary artery disease. The approach, using fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), activates supporting cells that create functional new vessels that last over a year.
Researchers at University of Rochester identify Nrf2 and Keap1 genes as key regulators of stem cell activity. Nrf2 prevents stem cell division, while Keap1 enables it when ROS levels increase.