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Cardiac muscle cells as good as progenitors for heart repair

Human embryonic stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes surpass bone marrow-derived cells in repairing damaged heart tissue, suggesting a better option for future therapies. The study's findings also indicate that more mature and stable heart muscle cells may be more effective than progenitor cells in clinical studies.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 22, 2015

The CNIO opens up a new avenue for combating the deterioration in blood stem cells

A study by Juan Méndez at CNIO sheds light on molecular mechanisms of ageing in blood stem cells, opening a new avenue for reducing their decline with age and potentially treating aplastic anaemia. Researchers managed to prevent embryonic lethality by increasing the levels of gene CHK1, showing less pronounced anaemia in mice.

Researchers learn how to grow old brain cells

Researchers have developed a new technique to create brain cells directly from skin samples, retaining age-related signatures. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the effects of aging on the brain without relying on animal models or stem cell reprogramming.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 8, 2015

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts

Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBiomaterials·DateSep 24, 2015

A barrier against brain stem cell aging

Scientists at the University of Zurich discovered a novel mechanism that helps neural stem cells resist aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier in the endoplasmic reticulum regulates the sorting of damaged proteins, allowing for rejuvenation and longer lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015

The black box at the beginning of life

Researchers at Kyoto University have created a lab-based human germ cell development model, revealing specific key elements and events that occur at the beginning of human life. This breakthrough provides insight into how epigenetic marks are erased during early germ cell development, shedding light on conditions such as infertility.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 15, 2015

A switch for health heart muscle

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have discovered a unique genetic switch that guides stem cells into developing specialized heart muscle. The discovery of the Mel18 protein is expected to reveal underlying causes of heart defects and potentially lead to new methods for controlling stem cells in the laboratory.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 3, 2015

A CNIO team finds the way to generate potentially safer stem cells in the laboratory

A CNIO team has identified the origin of damage to induced pluripotent stem cells and developed strategies to reduce it, resulting in cells with less damage to their genome. This breakthrough improves the safety of iPS cells for use in biomedicine, potentially treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

How a female X chromosome is inactivated

A team of ETH Zurich researchers has identified seven genes central to X chromosome inactivation in females, including Spen, which prevents gene expression at the X chromosome. The discovery sheds light on how the human body maintains a delicate balance between genes, preventing disease.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 10, 2015

NYSCF Global Stem Cell ArrayTM brings precision medicine one step closer to the clinic

Researchers designed a revolutionary high-throughput robotic platform to automate the process of generating patient-specific stem cells, reducing variability and increasing scale. This technology allows for 'clinical trials in a dish' and can identify potential drug metabolism and toxicity issues in human cells before clinical trials.

SourceNew York Stem Cell Foundation·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 3, 2015

How a single molecule turns one immune cell into another

Researchers discover a single molecule, C/EBPa, can transform a B cell into a macrophage by 'short-circuiting' gene expression. This process involves the convergence of two DNA enhancer pathways, allowing for unnatural transdifferentiation. The findings have significant implications for regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJul 30, 2015

Scientists' silk structure is secret to process of regenerating salivary cells

Scientists have developed a novel process to regenerate salivary cells using silk fibers as a framework, which could help millions in the US with dry mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome. The process has been shown to retain salivary gland cell properties and is a significant step towards developing new cell-based therapeutics.

Stem cells move one step closer to cure for genetic diseases

Scientists have developed a new method to generate healthy stem cells from patient cells with mitochondrial mutations, which can then be converted into various cell types. This breakthrough has the potential to treat debilitating mitochondrial diseases that affect the brain and muscles, offering new hope for patients worldwide.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 15, 2015

Production of iPS cells: Discovery of the fifth element

A team of researchers has identified netrin-1 as a molecule that can favour the production of induced pluripotent stem cells, which have huge potential applications in regenerative medicine. The discovery may ultimately enable the creation of new organs from patient cells, eliminating rejection risks and ethical concerns.