Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Key gene in leukemia discovered

Researchers at Lund University have identified CXCR4 as essential for the survival of leukemia stem cells, which can be controlled by cutting off the gene using CRISPR technology. This discovery reveals a fundamental difference in how leukemia stem cells and normal blood stem cells are regulated.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 3, 2020

Discovery in human acute myeloid leukemia could provide novel pathway to new treatments

A study published in Cell Reports reveals that human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells are dependent on the transcription factor RUNX1, which could lead to lasting remissions or even cures. The researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient with AML to recreate leukemia stem cell biology in the lab.

Stem cells shown to delay their own death to aid healing

Researchers have found that stem cells in planarians can postpone their own death to respond to an injury, allowing them to gather around the site of the wound and mount a response. This unique ability has implications for cancer research and therapies, particularly when examining chemotherapy and surgery options.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 7, 2020

A step toward a better way to make gene therapies to attack cancer, genetic disorders

A UCLA-led research team has developed a new method for delivering DNA into stem cells and immune cells safely, rapidly and economically. The technique uses high-frequency acoustic waves to manipulate cells and insert cargo without damaging them, enabling the creation of gene therapies for various diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

COPD as a lung stem cell disease

Abnormal stem cells in COPD patients drive key features of the disease, including mucins that block airways and fibrosis and inflammation. Researchers have identified specific cells responsible for COPD pathology and are screening them against drug libraries to discover new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2020

A new model of vision

A new computer model developed by MIT cognitive scientists can quickly generate a detailed scene description from an image, similar to the brain's ability. The model, known as efficient inverse graphics (EIG), reverses the steps used in computer graphics programs to generate images, allowing it to infer underlying features of a scene. ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 4, 2020

Drug cocktail holds promise for spinal injuries

Researchers have found a combination of two existing medications that can trigger the release of stem cells from bone marrow, which can aid healing in spinal fractures. The study suggests using these drug combinations could speed up the repair process and potentially lead to new treatments for various bone fractures.

SourceImperial College London·Journalnpj Regenerative Medicine·DateFeb 21, 2020

Curing genetic disease in human cells

Scientists have successfully used CRISPR/Cas9 base-editing to cure cystic fibrosis in human stem cells, providing a promising new approach for treating genetic diseases. The technique, which repairs mutations without cutting DNA, shows great promise for the future treatment of various genetic disorders.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 20, 2020

Rejuvenating the brain

Scientists at TU Dresden used a method to stimulate neural stem cells, leading to increased neurons and improved cognitive function in old mice. This study suggests that boosting stem cells may be a promising approach to rejuvenate the brain and counteract aging-related cognitive impairments.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2020