Articles tagged with Stem Cell Research
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have discovered that current engineered stem cells are too immature to accurately model ALS. To improve this, they suggest 'aging' the motor neurons in a laboratory dish to better represent the disease's progression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a protein that boosts the growth of damaged muscle tissue, potentially contributing to treatments for age-related muscle degeneration and diseases like muscular dystrophy. The protein, β1-integrin, promotes stem cell growth and restoration after muscle injury, with results showing...
The National Stem Cell Foundation has funded a grant to study how astrocytes can be manipulated to halt or prevent neurodegeneration in diseases like MS and Parkinson's. The researchers aim to advance understanding of cell cross-talk in the central nervous system.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers found that bone marrow transplantation extended the lifespan of mice with a common ALS-causing gene mutation by 43 days. The study suggests that the gene operates at a crossroads between disease and autoimmunity, and may hold key to developing therapies for specific subpopulations of ALS patients.
Researchers have discovered a breakthrough in scaling up life-changing stem cell production by using a protein derived from human blood, Inter-alpha inhibitor. This method enables faster and cheaper large-scale industrial production of human pluripotent stem cells without the need for costly biological substrates.
Scientists developed guidelines to evaluate laboratory-generated stem cells, finding that no current methods produce truly naïve embryonic cells. The new criteria may aid researchers in achieving this goal, which could benefit both basic research and medical applications of stem cells.
Researchers have discovered a genetic switch, microRNA mirR-125a, that can be used to increase the supply of stem cells from cord blood. This discovery could potentially increase the availability of stem cell transplants for cancer patients with no matching donors.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a novel method for culturing human stem cells using a protein derived from human blood, which could lead to faster and more cost-effective large-scale production. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine and disease research.
USC researchers studied epigenetic signals regulating Atoh1, a critical factor in hair cell development and sensory structure formation. The studies aim to develop new therapies to stimulate hair cell regeneration in individuals with hearing loss or deafness.
A new government study suggests that the graying of the biomedical workforce is driving younger scientists away from academia, but found no evidence of a preference for older applicants in NIH grant funding. The study's authors conclude that other factors, such as changes in academic training and payment, are more likely to be contribu...
A study found that at least 351 US businesses are marketing unapproved stem cell procedures, targeting various medical conditions. The businesses are mainly concentrated in California, Florida, and Texas.
Researchers developed a new method to maintain the transplantation efficiency of satellite cells, which are found in skeletal muscles. The study used leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to enhance muscle fiber formation after transplantation, resulting in two to three times more fibers formed compared to control cells.
Therapeutic stem cells exit the bloodstream via a distinct process called angiopellosis, where endothelial cells actively push them out of blood vessels. This alternative mechanism allows for longer exit times and multiple cell exits at once, with implications for cancer research and intravenous therapies.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a new procedure to generate and expand airway stem cells from lung tissue samples, allowing for multiple generations of cultures. This breakthrough may lead to improved treatments for airway diseases like asthma and COPD.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified distinct characteristics that differentiate reserve stem cells from label-retaining cells, resolving a decades-long debate. The study uses single-cell gene expression analyses to demonstrate that reserve stem cells are a separate population in the intestines.
Columbia University researchers develop groundbreaking technique to repair large bone defects in the head and face with lab-grown living bone. The innovative approach, which uses autologous stem cells derived from a patient's fat, enables precise anatomical replication and active bone remodeling.
A team of researchers has successfully grown functional pituitary tissue from human stem cells that can release hormones important for growth, reproductive functions, and stress response. The study's findings hold promise for a more permanent therapeutic option for patients with hypopituitarism.
Researchers found that Prkci gene plays a crucial role in organizing cells into balls and tubes during early embryo and organ formation. By mixing functional Prkci with cells lacking it, they restored normal polarity, suggesting an unknown molecular signal was transmitted to disoriented cells.
Researchers at ULB developed new methods to determine stem cell multipotency and unipotency with high confidence. The findings show that prostate cells are multipotent while mammary gland cells are unipotent, resolving a long-standing debate in the field.
Researchers have unraveled how pre-leukemic white blood cell precursors become leukemia stem cells by targeting the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1. Inhibiting ADAR1 can counteract its effect on leukemia stem cell self-renewal, potentially reducing cancer progression.
Researchers found that 30% of induced pluripotent stem cells were genetically unstable and not safe for clinical use. Despite this, a large set of iPSCs met quality standards, and the study established an online database to support further research.
Research at Washington University School of Medicine found that a metabolite produced by beneficial gut microbes restricts the proliferation of intestinal stem cells. This limits the intestine's ability to repair itself after injury or damage, potentially hampering treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Noninvasive cell-tracking methods enable assessment of stem-cell based therapy safety and efficacy. Current tracking methods for transplanted stem cells include reporter-gene based, exogenous contrast label-based, and multimodel imaging techniques.
Scientists at NYSCF Research Institute discovered strategies to prevent mitochondrial mixtures, leading to effective mitochondrial replacement. Egg freezing enables doctors to avoid synchronized ovulation between patient and donor, allowing for safer treatment of mitochondrial diseases.
Assoc Prof Lim Soon Thye has received a S$2.5 million Tanoto Foundation Professorship to advance research on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer prevalent in Asia with limited treatment options. The funding will focus on improving diagnostic and clinical outcomes for patients.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new method for preparing and labeling mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that allows them to be tracked using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This breakthrough technology uses a bio-mimicry approach to create an environment similar to the body, enabling MSCs to internalize iron-ox...
Researchers in China report that fetal mice infected with the Asian Zika virus strain display characteristic features of microcephaly. The study found that neural progenitor cells were initially infected, followed by neurons, and that almost all cell death occurred in neurons, not progenitor cells.
Stem cells can be stimulated to produce special cartilage that aids in repairing severely broken bones. Cartilage production helps bridge larger gaps and even transforms into bone throughout the lesion.
Researchers found that Zika virus activates the innate immune receptor TLR3, which leads to cell death in neural stem cells. However, inhibiting TLR3 helps infected cells survive and function normally.
Researchers propose revisiting the internationally recognized '14-day rule', which restricts in vitro research on human embryos. The rule has been theoretical until now, but technological advancements have enabled scientists to sustain human embryos in vitro for up to 14 days, raising questions about its relevance and implications.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a composite material that combines the strength of plastic with the biological information in natural bone. The 70% bone powder blend showed better bone formation than the 30% blend, but both were stronger and more effective than pure PCL.
Researchers plan to use stored tissue samples, cell lines, and sperm to develop stem cell technologies and create viable northern white rhinoceros populations. The ultimate goal is to establish self-sustaining populations in several decades.
Marina E. Emborg and Eng H. Lo received the 2016 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for their outstanding contributions to neurodegenerative disorders and stroke research. Their work focuses on developing safe neuroprotective strategies using stem cells and advanced imaging techniques.
A new literature review assesses the benefits of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries. Different types of stem cells show varying degrees of effectiveness in restoring function, and an ideal treatment protocol remains unclear.
Research found that heterochromatin organisation in embryonic stem cells is maintained in an open form through the action of key stem cell factors. This open architecture may contribute to keeping stem cells unspecialised and full of developmental potential.
Scientists at McMaster University have made a breakthrough in understanding the regulation of human blood stem cells, allowing for better control and regeneration. The discovery could lead to more people receiving treatment for life-threatening diseases, reducing healthcare costs and wait times.
Breast cancer cells challenged with a small-molecule inhibitor targeting specific invasive properties switch to an alternative mode-of-action, rendering them even more aggressive. The results suggest that inhibiting one pathway may not block all aggressiveness in breast cancer cells.
Researchers have confirmed Zika's toll on fetal cortex using lab-grown mini-brains that mimic human brain development. The study found that Zika infection occurs early in pregnancy leads to severe effects and can affect neurons later on.
A USC study shows how skeletal stem cells form the blueprint of the human face by regulating cartilage and bone growth. The research identified two critical signaling pathways, Jagged-Notch and Endothelin1 (Edn1), which control when stem cells transform into facial cartilage.
A team led by John P. Cooke identified reactive oxygen species as critical to the transformation of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The researchers discovered that a 'Goldilock's zone' of free radical generation is optimal for iPSC production, with too little or too much ROS impaireding colony formation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a way to encourage adult stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into testosterone-producing cells. The findings could lead to the development of transplantable cells that can produce testosterone, avoiding side effects associated with current treatments.
Scientists have successfully extracted stem cells from a 50-year-old test subject's fatty tissue, applied genetic reprogramming, and produced mature, insulin-producing beta cells. The researchers' technique has the potential to treat diabetes by implanting new functional beta cells made from the patient's own adipose tissue.
Researchers found that microvesicle injections restored cognitive function and protected neurons in rats without adverse side effects. Microvesicles isolated from human neural stem cells were used instead of traditional stem cells to reduce risks such as immunorejection and tumor growth.
Investigational stem cell therapy derived from a patient's own blood marrow significantly improved outcomes in patients with severe heart failure. The study found that the treatment reduced deaths by 37% and hospitalizations by 49% compared to placebo.
A new handheld 3D printing device has been developed to create bespoke scaffolds for cartilage repair, with cell survival rates in excess of 97%. The BioPen allows surgeons to sculpt customised implants during surgery, addressing the challenge of precise geometry.
Scientists create miniature retinal organoids that mimic the structure of real retinas, offering new perspectives on retina growth, injury, and repair. The protocol increases yield by up to 4-fold compared to previous methods, enabling researchers to study retinal disease mechanisms and develop therapies for age-related blindness.
The study found that the AXL surface receptor is highly abundant on human neural stem cells, but not on neurons in the developing brain. This discovery suggests that the Zika virus may be able to hijack this receptor to infect vulnerable cells, leading to devastating cases of microcephaly and eye lesions.
Researchers demonstrate that iPSCs can differentiate into multiple types of functional lymphocytes, including CD4+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. The ability to generate functional lymphocytes from somatic cell-derived hematopoietic stem cells supports the clinical application of iPSC technology.
Researchers at IUPUI have successfully identified cellular processes related to glaucoma using stem cells derived from human skin cells. The study found that skin cells from individuals with glaucoma became unhealthy and died off faster than those of healthy individuals when reprogrammed into retinal ganglion cells.
A study by Lund University researchers has identified four key genes that govern the growth and multiplication of blood stem cells. The discovery sheds light on how to expand these cells for transplant and potentially develop new cancer treatments.
Studies presented at the Eighth Annual PPSSC Conference showcased advancements in targeting stem cells, adipose-derived stem cell plasticity, and melanoma immunotherapy using genetically engineered iPSCs. These breakthroughs hold promise for developing effective treatments for regenerative medicine and cancer
Scientists have developed a novel approach to track neural stem cells using microscopic iron beads and magnetic resonance imaging, allowing for non-invasive tracking without harming the cell. The findings focus mainly on neural stem cells but also show potential for use with mesenchymal stem cells.
A $6.3 million CIRM grant will fund stem cell trials to rescue and restore neurons devastated by ALS. The goal is to extend motor neuron survival, adding years to fulfilling life for patients.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have successfully generated a new type of human embryonic stem cell carrying a single copy of the human genome. These 'haploid' stem cells show potential as a powerful tool for genetic analysis in biomedical fields such as cancer research and precision medicine.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully generated a new type of embryonic stem cell carrying a single copy of the human genome. These haploid stem cells are pluripotent and retain a single set of chromosomes, offering a powerful tool for genetic analysis and potential therapies for diseases.
Researchers Qi-Long Ying and Austin Smith won the 2016 McEwen Award for Innovation for their discovery of inhibitory molecules that can mimic embryonic stem cells' ability to generate different cell types. Their work has opened new avenues of exploration towards understanding or treating human disease.
Australian scientists have developed a new method for harvesting stem cells that eliminates the need for growth factor injections, reducing side effects for donors. The new method combines two molecules to mobilize stem cells into the bloodstream within an hour of administration.
Researchers found that IGF2BP3 regulates various RNA messages contributing to the development of MLL-rearranged leukemia. The protein binds to and stabilizes hundreds of leukemia-promoting messages, leading to cancer cell growth.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have identified two molecular signals and a pathway that allows differentiated cells to regain their stem cell properties. This discovery has implications for cell reprogramming, regenerative medicine, and understanding cancer.
Scientists have developed a modified form of CRISPR that can silence genes in stem cells more efficiently and precisely than the original CRISPR-Cas9 system. This new technology allows for flexible gene suppression and reversal, enabling versatile investigations into genetic diseases.