Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
Researchers at UC Irvine's Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center found that bone marrow stem cells significantly improved multiple outcome measures in animal studies of stroke. The effects were robust regardless of dosage, timing, or method of administration.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports has found no evidence of complete heart regeneration in newborn mice after apex resection. The researchers, led by Ditte Andersen, were unable to replicate the findings of a previous 2011 study that suggested complete regeneration was possible.
A new human trial demonstrates the effectiveness of injecting bone marrow-derived stem cells into the heart muscle to improve heart function in patients with severe ischemic heart disease. The treatment improved heart pump function by 8.2 milliliters, compared to an increase of 6 milliliters in the placebo group.
Researchers discovered that the p53 gene is hyperactive in stem cells when cellular damage is present, but not in other cells. This finding suggests that p53's tumor suppression ability may have evolved from its original role in regulating stem cell growth.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generate large concentrations of skeletal muscle cells and muscle progenitors directly from human pluripotent stem cells. This method, described in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, uses growth factors to guide the stem cells towards a muscle fate, avoiding genetic modification.
Researchers at UC Davis successfully coax laboratory cultures of human stem cells into the specialized, unique cells needed to repair a patient's defective or diseased bladder. The breakthrough provides a pathway to regenerate replacement bladder tissue for patients whose bladders are too small or do not function properly.
Scientists at A*STAR's IMCB develop a method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells from a single drop of finger-pricked blood. This technique enables donors to collect their own blood samples, potentially boosting recruitment and diversities of donors for large-scale hiPSC banks.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports identified the earliest arising hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) precursors based on their ability to generate all major blood cell types. This discovery may be beneficial for creating purer, cleaner populations of these precursor cells for clinical treatments.
Two proteins, HIF1α and HIF2α, play a key role in the formation of human stem cells through reprogramming. The findings advance understanding of stem cell development and suggest potential targets for new cancer therapies.
Researchers have successfully identified two chemical compounds that can maintain functional human leukemic stem cells alive for at least seven days in vitro. This major breakthrough paves the way for the development of new cancer drugs to fight acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer.
Scientists at the University of Washington have successfully created a line of human embryonic stem cells that can develop into various tissues. The new 'naive' cells retain their natural ability to differentiate into all types of human cells without artificial genes, opening up possibilities for regenerative medicine and transplantation.
Scientists have successfully studied protein synthesis in adult stem cells, finding that precise protein production is essential to their function. The discovery opens up new avenues of cellular biology and may lead to a better understanding of diseases associated with protein synthesis mutations.
Researchers developed a set of 64 parameters to evaluate stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes, providing a standardized method to test cell function. This approach addresses critical quality control issues in the industry, enabling more reliable and reproducible tests for cell function.
Researchers found that human umbilical cord blood cells transplanted into rats with simulated myocardial infarction improved left ventricular heart function and preserved myocardial fiber structure. The study showed long-term benefits for the treated rats, suggesting a potential therapy for MIs.
A team of researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital has generated stem cells from skin biopsies of living family members with a genetic predisposition to early-onset Alzheimer's. The study found that the APPV7171 mutation alters amyloid-beta protein generation, Tau protein expression, and phosphorylation, providing new insights into ...
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute have created working nerve cells from horse stem cells, paving the way for cell therapies targeting neurological conditions. The breakthrough could also benefit horses affected by grass sickness, a previously untreatable condition.
Researchers have discovered a method for restoring strength to damaged skeletal muscles in the elderly using stem cell therapy. The treatment involves treating cells outside the body with a drug that prevents protein modification and culturing them on soft biomaterials, allowing aged cells to grow and self-renew.
Researchers at Caltech have shown that bone marrow cells are sensitive to infection-related molecules and respond rapidly. They detect invasion and mount an inflammatory response, producing cytokines that stimulate the differentiation of immune cells.
A study by American University researchers found that understanding public opinion goes beyond partisanship to address differences in people's perceptions about the social implications of science. Four distinct groups, including 'Scientific Optimists' and 'Disengaged', were identified as influencing opinions on stem cell research.
Researchers have found that aging muscle stem cells become less able to regenerate new fibers and self-renew. However, they discovered a process to rejuvenate old muscle stem cells using a drug and soft hydrogel substrate, enabling them to repair muscle damage in mice.
Cancer researchers have discovered a pre-leukemic stem cell that may initiate disease and trigger relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This finding offers a potential tool for earlier diagnosis and targeted therapy, as the pre-leukemic stem cell can survive chemotherapy and be found in the bone marrow at remission.
Scientists have discovered how the prostate gland develops for the first time, identifying 80 genes and a signalling pathway involved in its growth. The finding provides potential targets for new therapies to combat common prostate diseases, including prostate cancer.
A Cedars-Sinai research team led by Paul W. Noble is developing a novel approach to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that destroys the lungs and damages vital organs. The two-year study aims to build upon preliminary research and uncover the precise way normal lung stem cell repair occurs.
Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have identified a duo of histone proteins, TH2A and TH2B, that dramatically enhance the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The study demonstrates that these proteins function as substitutes for two Yamanaka factors and increase iPSC cell generation by twentyfold and speed up the process.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a new pathway to reverse lung diseases in mice by coaxing the production of healthy cells. By enhancing the natural signaling pathway, they successfully increased the production of alveolar epithelial cells, which line the small sacs where gas exchange takes place.
Two UC Irvine research teams will use the grants to investigate the fundamental structure and function of stem cells, with potential applications for treating cancer, neurological diseases, and injuries. The funded projects aim to uncover specific properties of human stem cells used in transplants.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed human induced-pluripotent stem cells that can repair damaged retinal vascular tissue in mice without using viruses. These non-viral, human retinal iPSCs were grown using a safer method and showed comparable ability to human embryonic-derived iPSCs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that estrogen increases proliferation of blood-forming stem cells in females, leading to increased red blood cell production. This discovery raises possibilities for treating blood cancers and reducing chemotherapy toxicity by considering estrogen levels.
Researchers have discovered two types of breast cancer stem cells, each playing a crucial role in metastasis. The findings highlight the need for targeted therapies that can tackle both forms of stem cells, offering new hope for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Azim Surani receives the McEwen Award for Innovation for pioneering epigenetics research; Valentina Greco wins the ISSCR-BD Biosciences Outstanding Young Investigator Award for her noninvasive method to visualize skin stem cell division. Paolo Bianco, Elena Cattaneo, and Michele De Luca receive the ISSCR Public Service Award for their ...
Scientists have identified a key gene receptor and signaling pathway essential to maintaining human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in an undifferentiated state. By blocking the WNT signaling pathway and its encoded receptor FZD7, researchers were able to keep hESCs in their pluripotent state.
Researchers successfully transplanted skin-derived stem cells into collagen tubes to bridge gaps in injured nerves, resulting in functional recovery and saving the upper arms from amputation. The study provides a promising new avenue for treating peripheral nerve injuries.
Scientists have identified fourteen genes that may be implicated in Alzheimer's disease and one gene that shows inflammation plays a crucial role in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. The study provides new insight into the cause of the disease, offering potential targets for drug discovery.
Researchers at NYSCF and Columbia University Medical Center successfully generated iPS cells from frozen brain tissue, allowing for the study of Alzheimer's disease at a cellular level. The new stem cell lines will enable drug testing on cells from patients with confirmed diagnoses.
A research team at the University of California, San Diego has discovered how calcium phosphate-based materials encourage stem cells to differentiate into bone-forming cells. The findings could lead to the development of new biomaterials that can be used to treat bone defects and diseases.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that patients overwhelmingly support stem cell research with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), despite ethical concerns. Patients prioritize full disclosure of anticipated uses and informed consent to alleviate concerns about privacy and commercialization.
Researchers at UCLA discovered a mechanism by which certain adult stem cells suppress their ability to initiate skin cancer during dormancy. The study found that PTEN gene plays a crucial role in tumor suppression via quiescence in hair follicle stem cells.
Mayo Clinic researcher Abba Zubair is sending human stem cells into space to see if they grow more rapidly than on Earth. The experiment aims to expand the population of stem cells that can induce regeneration of neurons and blood vessels in patients who have suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found that growing adult stem cells on micro-grooved surfaces disrupts primary cilia length, controlling subsequent behavior and specialization. This discovery has potential applications in treating conditions like arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a novel technique for reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells without using viruses, reducing the risk of tumor formation. This breakthrough could revolutionize regenerative medicine and provide new hope for treating various diseases.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully treated two babies in utero with mesenchymal stem cells, a type of connective tissue cell that can form and improve bone tissue. The treatment was administered to babies born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare congenital bone disease causing stunted growth and repeated fractures.
Researchers are developing a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and inhibits the functioning of ROR1 in cancer stem cells. The goal is to deliver toxins selectively to cancer stem cells without harming normal cells.
Researchers at CNIO demonstrate that cells from various tissues can be converted into embryonic stem cells using Shinya Yamanaka's technique, exhibiting higher plasticity than existing iPSCs.
The EUCelLEX Project examines current legislation on somatic cells, assessing relevance and proposing sustainable solutions. It aims to provide a stabilised legal context for the use of stem cells in clinical purposes.
The World Stem Cell Report 2013 presents innovative solutions for accelerating stem cell treatments and eventual cures, addressing regulatory, legal, and ethical roadblocks. The report is a benchmark guide for moving the field forward, supporting the 2013 World Stem Cell Summit.
Researchers have found that prostate cancer stem cells change from basal to luminal cells as the disease progresses, rendering existing treatments less effective. This discovery could lead to more targeted therapies by targeting the evolving cancer stem cells.
Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a method to grow extensive numbers of intestinal stem cells, which can then be directed to mature into different types of intestinal cells. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of a new gut for patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have successfully grown unlimited quantities of intestinal stem cells that can differentiate into mature cells. These cells hold promise for treating diseases such as ulcerative colitis and could be used for drug development and testing.
Mary Ann Liebert, President and CEO of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., will receive the 2013 Education Award from the Genetics Policy Institute. She is being honored for her work educating patients, researchers, and the broader stem cell community about the promise and applications of stem cells in medicine.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre have identified a promising new therapeutic path for colorectal cancer by disarming the BMI-1 gene, which drives self-renewal in stem cells. Inhibiting this gene resulted in long-term and irreversible impairment of tumour growth, providing strong evidence for its clinical relevance.
Researchers found that human periodontal ligament stem cells exhibit similar therapeutic effects to autologous Schwann cells in repairing peripheral nerve injuries. The study suggests a potential value for the use of human periodontal ligament stem cells in the repair of mental nerve injury.
Researchers used patient-derived stem cells to show that a genetic mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene increases vulnerability to pesticides, leading to Parkinson's disease. The study identified a molecule that protects neurons from pesticide damage and may have potential clinical implications for treating the disease.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered a mechanism that allows blood stem cells to divide in perpetuity, using the motor protein myosin II. The researchers found that asymmetric division is enabled by myosin IIB, which helps to partition key factors and keep one side as a stem cell.
Researchers at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have identified a specific type of cell and related cell communication pathway crucial for healthy placenta growth. The findings may help clarify the causes of fetal growth restriction and other pregnancy complications.
Researchers at the University of Granada have successfully grown artificial skin using Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord. This breakthrough could provide instant use for burn victims, reducing the need for weeks-long growth periods.
A recent study by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network found that bone marrow mononuclear stem cells did not improve heart function significantly at one year compared to six months. The treatment also showed a measurable decrease in scar tissue, but its effectiveness was no different from a placebo.
Researchers used genetic engineering to precisely study a key protein's role in familial Alzheimer's disease, discovering that simple loss-of-function doesn't contribute to the inherited form. The findings could help elucidate Alzheimer's mechanisms and inform drug development.
Scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network discovered the exact mode of action of plerixafor, a drug that stimulates immune responses in patients with neutropenia. The study found that the inhibition of CXCR4 by the drug plays a dual role, increasing neutrophil count in the blood and promoting retention in the bloodstream.
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with Wolfram syndrome to model beta-cell failure. They found that protein-folding stress caused cells to fail and discovered a chemical, 4-phenyl butyric acid, that relieves this stress, potentially leading to new treatments.
Scientists have found a critical mechanism to keep newborn neurons alive, which may help understand underlying causes of diseases like Alzheimer's and mental illness. The discovery suggests that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons release GABA, a chemical signal that promotes the survival of new brain cells.