Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR have announced the 2019 Research Grants for Junior Faculty, awarding fifteen early career scientists $1,450,000 to support research on aging processes and age-related diseases. The grants aim to translate basic biology into interventions that can extend healthspan with lifespan.
Researchers have developed a new method to characterise the complex organ of bone marrow, revealing previously unknown cell types and their spatial organisation. The study identifies niche cells that regulate blood stem cells and provides insights into leukaemia treatments.
The study reveals how embryonic cells may be deviated from a default state and awoken to new developmental possibilities during gastrulation. Researchers used scNMT-seq and MOFA computational methods to analyze gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility in single cells from mouse embryos.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a new mechanism that contributes to adult bone maintenance and repair. Periosteal stem cells, previously poorly understood, play a major role in bone healing and respond to mechanical injury and inflammatory molecules, offering potential therapeutic applications for conditions l...
Researchers used gene editing and stem cell reprogramming to correct mutations in a human genetic skin disorder, RDEB, in mice. The corrected skin grafts exhibited significant collagen VII deposition and integration, similar to wild-type skin.
Researchers identified genetic mutations that predict patient outcomes after a stem cell transplant for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients over age 60. Patients with specific gene mutations were classified into low, high, or intermediate-risk groups, enabling personalized treatment approaches.
A new study finds the 'conductor' gene TCX2 in plant root stem cells coordinates division of different types, ensuring harmonic communication for plant growth. The researchers used mathematical modeling and machine learning to identify TCX2's role in regulating stem cell networks.
Hematopoietic stem cells can be purified from zebrafish kidneys using a novel purification scheme that allows researchers to collect these elusive cells. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying blood-based diseases and developing medical treatments.
Scientists at UCLA have discovered a key protein that enables human blood stem cells to self-renew in laboratory conditions. Activating this protein, MLLT3, increases the number of blood stem cells by at least twelvefold, opening up new possibilities for treating blood disorders.
A team led by biomedical engineer Kam Leong has received a $3.2 million NIH grant to develop efficient, noninvasive gene editing methods for the brain. The goal is to overcome current inefficiencies in delivering CRISPR-based gene editing elements to the brain and treat devastating diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids influence stem cell division and fat cell formation. The findings suggest that consuming healthy fats can help regulate body weight and insulin sensitivity.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes used a machine-learning approach to discover new ways of controlling the spatial organization of induced pluripotent stem cells. The model predicted patterns that could lead to the creation of functional organs for research or therapeutic purposes, and was found to be correct in simulating desired arr...
Researchers from University of Copenhagen have discovered how stem cells can 'forget' their past and develop into specific cell types. The study reveals that transcription factors play a key role in regulating gene expression, rather than driving cellular development.
A study found that spaceflight affects human heart cells' gene expression, but these changes largely revert to normal upon return to Earth. The researchers used induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and observed significant changes in gene expression related to mitochondrial function.
Scientists at Columbia University have successfully grown fully functional lungs in mouse embryos using transplanted stem cells. The innovative technique has shown promising results, suggesting that it may eventually be possible to generate human lungs in animals for transplantation and studying new treatments.
Researchers have discovered that dental epithelial stem cells from young mice can regenerate mammary glands and produce milk-producing cells. This breakthrough highlights the exceptional plasticity of these stem cells, which can generate not only dental tissues but also other cell populations.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) has announced the 2019 class of NYSCF - Robertson Investigators, including Ya-Chieh Hsu, Evangelos Kiskinis, Florian Merkle, Nicholas Bellono, Lauren O'Connell and six others. The award provides $1.5 million over five years to outstanding young scientists.
Binghamton University researchers aim to develop islet-like organoids that can produce insulin, addressing the shortage of usable islets in current treatments. The project uses induced pluripotent stem cells and oxygen-releasing materials to create microenvironments for controlled cell differentiation.
A research team has created a better way to grow an organoid model of the liver, bile duct and pancreas using human pluripotent stem cells. The resulting organoid bears a striking resemblance to its corresponding organs and demonstrates the potential for personalized modeling in studying organ development and disease.
Researchers found that Viagra, combined with Plerixafor, rapidly mobilizes blood stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream in mice. This approach is nearly as effective as the current standard protocol and may be a more attractive option for patients who are very ill or elderly or have undergone chemotherapy.
Researchers develop novel therapies to reverse or prevent myelin loss in PMD patients, identifying iron toxicity as a key factor and discovering a potential treatment using an FDA-approved agent. Clinical trials are planned to test the effectiveness of this treatment in slowing or halting disease progression.
Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have created a new method called GateID that allows for the purification of cell types to high purity without using antibodies or genetic reporters. This enables the detailed study of individual cell types, such as stem cells and tumor cells, which are crucial for understanding their properties and...
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have developed a new and improved viral vector that can deliver therapeutic genes more efficiently than conventional vectors. The new vector shows promising results in animal models, with up to 10 times higher efficiency and six times higher carrying capacity.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a molecular process controlling nerve growth, which could inform therapies accelerating peripheral nerve recovery. The study shows that manipulating this process can increase nerve regeneration rate by 15% in mice.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have discovered six proteins essential for directing PRC2 to specific areas in the genome. These findings provide insight into how cells maintain their identity, normal embryonic development, and may impact cancer treatment.
A recent study published in Stem Cells found that bone marrow cells treated patients showed enhanced recovery compared to those who received conventional treatment. Additionally, serial diffusion tensor imaging revealed the repair of motor nerve tracts in some patients, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for stroke recovery.
Researchers at USC have developed a new method for repurposing cells, which they found to be significantly more reliable than existing techniques. The approach uses enzymes to untangle DNA and has been proven to work in mice and humans with near-perfect efficiency.
Researchers have found a group of antihistamines that can induce differentiation in leukaemic stem cells, leading to cell death. The discovery offers a potential new approach to treating Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a disease with a high rate of recidivism.
A study of institutional 'report cards' found that although a growing number of women are training in the sciences, they are underrepresented in senior roles and face inadequate policies. The researchers suggest that retaining and promoting women scientists is key to achieving gender parity in STEM.
A four-year study of over 500 research institutions found that promotion, recruitment, and retention of women to senior roles are lacking in STEM. Despite efforts by some institutions to implement supportive policies, the report suggests a persistent need for action to achieve gender equity.
Researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze electrical patterns from lab-grown brains and compared them to premature babies' brain activity. The study found that the lab mini-brains produced similar electrical patterns as premature babies, with similar levels of electric activity following a similar pattern.
A new Emmy-Noether Independent Junior Research Group is exploring the mechanisms behind certain bacteria causing disease in some people but not others. The team aims to develop strategies for preventing symptoms and restoring gut health.
Researchers create a 'clock in a dish' to study human developmental timing, replicating a genetic mutation linked to spondylocostal dysotosis. This breakthrough provides insight into the hard-wired timing within cells and may accelerate cell development for clinical benefit.
Scientists have identified two types of gastric isthmus stem cells with different roles and characteristics in the upper and lower glands. The discovery was made through a joint research project involving South Korea, Austria, and the UK, using advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptional analysis.
Researchers found that Id4 controls whether stem cells remain in a state of rest or enter cell division, with increasing age leading to hyperactive signaling pathway inhibiting cell division.
Research finds that ketone bodies activate Notch signaling pathway, enhancing intestinal stem cell regeneration and function. A ketogenic diet boosts stem cell proliferation and repair damaged intestinal tissue.
Researchers grew 'miniature kidneys' in a lab from patient skin cells to better understand how kidney diseases develop and test potential treatments. The mini kidneys, or organoids, showed promise for personalized therapy approaches.
Scientists found that mutations in mitochondrial DNA can induce an immune response, leading to the rejection of stem cell transplants. The study used hybrid stem cells with nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from different sources and showed that even a single mitochondrial mutation can trigger an immune response.
Researchers have developed a drug that speeds up blood stem cell regeneration after exposure to radiation, accelerating the recovery of cancer patients. The new compound, DJ009, lifts molecular 'brakes' on blood stem cells, enabling them to recover faster and reducing the risk of infections.
Rutgers University-developed nanotechnology boosts stem cell transplantation research, enabling accurate characterization of human stem cell fates and biomarkers without destruction. This allows further analyses and biomedical applications, addressing a major hurdle in current cell-based therapies.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that increasing brain stiffness as we age causes brain stem cell dysfunction. They developed new materials to study this effect, showing that older stem cells can be rejuvenated into younger, healthier states.
A new method of tooth repair has been discovered by scientists, who found that a gene called Dlk1 enhances stem cell activation and tissue regeneration in tooth healing. This mechanism could provide a novel solution for tooth problems such as decay and trauma treatment, and further studies are needed to validate the findings.
A new dual stem cell therapy has shown promise in improving cardiac function and vascular regeneration following myocardial infarction. The treatment involves combining two types of stem cells to repair both the muscle cells and vascular systems of the heart, providing a potential alternative to complex heart transplants.
Researchers have successfully generated 3D blastocyst-like structures from mouse stem cells, exhibiting totipotency and inducing proper changes in the uterus after implantation. The study paves the way for improved basic research in embryogenesis and fertility, as well as regenerative medicine.
Researchers have found that a combination of heart muscle cells and supportive epicardial cells can improve heart function, allowing transplanted cells to survive longer and restore lost heart tissue. The study offers new hope for treating heart failure with an alternative therapy.
The study found that orthopedic, inflammatory, and pain conditions are the main types of medical conditions treated with stem cells at direct-to-consumer stem cell clinics in the Southwest. The researchers also identified differences in the degree to which listed expertise matches the medical conditions treated with stem cells.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center use CRISPR/Cas9 to edit long-lived blood stem cells, reversing symptoms of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The study demonstrates efficient modification of targeted stem cells, reducing costs and risks associated with gene-editing treatments.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into how sebaceous glands form and are maintained throughout life, shedding light on their role in skin development. The study reveals that a common cancer mutation affects normal cell behavior, leading to unchecked growth of the gland.
A phase I clinical trial demonstrates the potential of regenerative therapy for hypoplastic left heart syndrome through collecting, processing and injecting an infant's own stem cells directly into the heart at the time of surgery. The study showed no deaths or significant safety concerns over six months following surgery.
Researchers at UMN Medical School found that estrogen deficiency leads to a 30-60% drop in muscle stem cells and severe difficulty reproducing new muscle after injury. Estrogen replacement therapy may help maintain muscle health, but risks cancer due to its effects on tissues.
A team of scientists has identified a stem cell inducing factor called STEMIN that enables the direct conversion of leaf cells to stem cells in plants. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell formation and regeneration in land plants.
A new shingles vaccine has been shown to effectively prevent outbreaks of the painful rash among patients who have undergone stem cell transplantation. The study found that the vaccine reduced the incidence of shingles by 68% and related complications, offering promise for patients with immune-compromising conditions.
A UC Riverside study found that electronic cigarettes produce a stress response in neural stem cells, leading to cell death or disease. The research identifies a protective response mechanism called SIMH, which can accelerate aging and lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers used stem cells and optochemogenetics to treat mice after a stroke, showing improved recovery. The combination of stem cell injection and stimulation increased successful recovery rates.
Scientists have created functional neural networks derived from cerebral organoids, which can mimic the development of the human brain. The study provides a new tool for understanding brain function and may lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery, modeling neuropsychiatric disorders, and regenerative medicine.
Kyushu University researchers discovered that reduced oxygen and mechanical compression play crucial roles in achieving and maintaining a dormant state in mouse egg cells. By limiting oxygen and increasing the protein FOXO3, they created egg cells similar to those found in nature.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new platform for rapid single-cell sequencing, combining microfluidics and novel software to scale up single-cell ATAC-seq. This approach enables the analysis of gene control in individual cells, revealing new insights into cell development and disease processes.
Researchers have developed a platform to record cell messages in depth, uncovering the precise ways cells communicate. This breakthrough enables the creation of 'cell-less' therapies that aid in repairing cardiac tissue without stem cell transplantation.
A new study published in Stem Cell Reports found that human embryonic stem cells can commit to a specific cell type within hours, rather than days, and this commitment is irreversible. The research also discovered that chromosome architecture can be remodeled locally and rapidly without dismantling the entire nucleus.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine developed an antibody treatment that enables mice to accept haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplants without immunosuppression. This breakthrough could transform the treatment of immune disorders and increase organ availability for transplantation.