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RIKEN press release: Pushing cells towards a higher pluripotency state

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that CCL2 can activate the JAK/STAT pathway and increase stem cell colony attachment, differentiation efficiency, and X chromosome reactivation. The researchers also found higher expression of genes related to hypoxic response, suggesting a potential link between cellular stress and pluri...

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 24, 2014

Compound stymies polyomaviruses in lab tests

Researchers at Brown University have identified a small molecule compound called Retro-2 that successfully controls the spread of three polyomaviruses in human cell cultures. The compound protects up to 90.5% of cells from infection, offering new hope for treatment options.

SourceBrown University·JournalmBio·DateNov 13, 2013

Pancreatic stem cells isolated from mice

Researchers have developed a method to isolate and grow pancreatic stem cells from mice, which can differentiate into hormone-producing beta cells or pancreatic duct cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for pancreatic diseases like diabetes.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateSep 17, 2013

How Alzheimer's could occur

A new hypothesis suggests that spherical structures in the nucleus, containing FE65 and BLM proteins, can give a wrong signal for cell division. This degeneration and death of nerve cells is linked to Alzheimer's patients.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateApr 11, 2013

The way of science

A groundbreaking study by Mügen Terzioglu and colleagues challenges long-held ideas about the protein MTERF1's importance in mitochondrial transcription and translation. The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, demonstrate that MTERF1 is not as crucial to mitochondrial function as previously thought.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Metabolism·DateApr 2, 2013

Pushing the boundaries

A new model of cell fusion was created by researchers at Johns Hopkins, revealing two critical components necessary for the process. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for muscular dystrophy, as cell fusion plays a crucial role in muscle regeneration.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateMar 7, 2013

Scripps Research scientists devise powerful new method for finding therapeutic antibodies

Scripps Research scientists have devised a powerful new technique to discover and expand the power of large numbers of antibodies, immune system proteins that detect and destroy invaders. The method rapidly identifies antibodies with useful biological activity, enabling the creation of unusual antibodies with desired effects.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 11, 2012

NIST 'catch and release' program could improve nanoparticle safety assessment

Scientists at NIST have developed a method to capture metal-based nanoparticles on a surface and release them at the desired moment, allowing for effective assessment of their toxicity in cell cultures. This approach enables precise delivery of particles to cells, mimicking real-world encounters, and reducing clumping issues.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateJun 8, 2011

Human taste cells regenerate in a dish

Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have successfully maintained human taste cells in culture for seven months, providing a valuable tool for understanding the sense of taste. The breakthrough enables scientists to test drugs to promote recovery from taste loss due to infection, radiation, or chemotherapy.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalChemical Senses·DateApr 6, 2011

Zinc finger nuclease, immunoprecipitation methods featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

A protocol for detecting targeted chromosomal deletions induced by zinc finger nucleases allows researchers to estimate the frequency of ZFN-induced genomic deletions using PCR-based methods. Immunoprecipitation is also optimized with detailed instructions for lysis conditions, protease inhibitor cocktails, and general preparation.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateAug 2, 2010

3-D cell culture: Making cells feel right at home

A new 3-D cell culture technique using magnetic forces has been developed, allowing for the growth of cells in 3-D. This method promises to provide more accurate preclinical drug tests and better cancer research outcomes by mimicking the body's natural tissue structures.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 15, 2010

New biological models of homeopathy published in special issues

A two-part special issue published in the journal Homeopathy explores experiments on homeopathic treatments using biological models, including whole animals and plants, cell cultures, and enzymes. The study found that seven different biological models of high dilution response yielded consistently positive results.

SourceElsevier·JournalHomeopathy·DateJan 18, 2010

Altered gene can increase risk of schizophrenia

A specific DNA change has been identified as a potential mechanism for developing schizophrenia. The research found that the altered gene increases expression in cells grown in culture, echoing findings in postmortem brain samples from individuals with schizophrenia.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateApr 7, 2009

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features tissue culture methods for immune cells and neurons

The journal Cold Spring Harbor Protocols presents two articles detailing experimental culture methods for cells from the immune system and the nervous system. These protocols enable researchers to isolate and grow specialized cells like macrophages and cerebellar granule neurons, facilitating studies on their functions and interactions.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateDec 2, 2008

Immune compound blocks virus' ability to hijack antibodies

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a blood-borne immune system compound that suppresses antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection, a phenomenon linked to some viral disease outbreaks. C1q, a key immune compound, blocks ADE by blocking the virus' ability to hijack antibodies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 12, 2007

Brown scientists take the petri dish to new dimensions

A team of Brown University biomedical engineers has invented a 3-D Petri dish that can grow cells in three dimensions, enabling the quick and cheap production of realistic cells for drug development and tissue transplantation. The technique employs a new dish made from a sugary substance that allows cells to self-assemble naturally and...

SourceBrown University·JournalTissue Engineering·DateSep 19, 2007

Antioxidant found in many foods and red wine is potent and selective killer of leukemia cells

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a potent and selective killer of leukemia cells, specifically cyanidin-3-rutinoside, a naturally occurring compound found in many fruits and vegetables as well as red wine. This finding offers hope for a more targeted and less toxic therapy for leukemia.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 23, 2007

MIT creates 3-D scaffold for growing stem cells

Researchers have developed a new 3D scaffold made of protein nanofibers that can support the growth and differentiation of stem cells. The scaffold provides a more accurate representation of the natural context of cells in tissues and organs, and has the potential to replace traditional Petri dishes for growing cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2006

Medium is the message for stem cells in search of identities

Embryonic stem cells diversify to form various neural structures when cultured on different surfaces, with laminin influencing specific pathways crucial for brain cell generation and survival. Laminin's role in directing stem cells to become specialized neurons sheds light on fundamental mysteries of brain development.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 5, 2006

Modifications render carbon nanotubes nontoxic

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to reduce the toxicity of water-soluble carbon nanotubes through surface modifications. The study found that even minor changes can dramatically decrease cytotoxicity, making these nanoparticles more suitable for medical diagnostics and imaging.

SourceRice University·JournalToxicology Letters·DateOct 26, 2005

For first time, brain cells generated in a dish

Researchers at the University of Florida have successfully generated brain cells in a dish, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders. The discovery identifies the true stem cell, which can be used to produce a limitless supply of brain cells to potentially heal damaged brain function.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2005

Accelerated heartbeart mystery: Is odd electrical wave the key?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found a possible link between the strange electrical waves in their hearts and the cause of accelerated heartbeats. They discovered that when implanted cardioverter defibrillators triggered a series of unusual electrical pulses, they sometimes triggered the formation of these same spiral waves.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 22, 2004