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New genetic technique converts skin cells into brain cells

A new genetic technique reprograms mature skin cells directly into brain cells without passing through the stem cell stage, opening a field for cell transplants. The discovery represents a fundamental change in the view of mature cell function, offering potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2011

Blood simpler

Researchers at UCSD have discovered a novel signaling pathway and gene, Wnt16, essential for the formation of hematopoietic stem cells in vertebrate embryos. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing stem cell-based therapies for diseases such as leukemia.

Winding back the clock with kidney stem cells

Researchers at Monash University have successfully reprogrammed healthy adult kidney cells into embryonic-like stem cells, offering a new approach to modeling genetic kidney disorders and developing personalized medicine. The breakthrough enables the creation of limitless patient-specific stem cell lines for drug testing and disease mo...

SourceMonash University·JournalAmerican Journal of Nephrology·DateMay 15, 2011

Human lung stem cell discovered

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a human lung stem cell capable of regenerating damaged lung tissue. The discovery has the potential to offer a new treatment option for those suffering from chronic lung diseases.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Boston University researchers validate important roles of iPSCs in regenerative medicine

Researchers from Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine have demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into definitive endoderm cells in vitro, with similar functional potential to embryonic stem cells. This finding is significant given the controversy surrounding iPSCs and their potential...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 2, 2011

Establishing the first line of human embryonic stem cells in Brazil

A Brazilian research team successfully established the first line of human embryonic stem cells (hES), but struggled to find a genetically diverse match for the diverse ethnic and genetic Brazilian population. The researchers overcame legal and ethical guidelines to create hES cell line BR-1, which is mostly European in origin.

Scientists create stable, self-renewing neural stem cells

Researchers at University of California - San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues report a game-changing advance in stem cell science: the creation of long-term, self-renewing neural precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells that can be directed to become many types of neuron. The new process promises to have broad applicatio...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2011

RNA dynamics deconstructed

Researchers at the Broad Institute have developed a method to measure how much messenger RNA is produced and degraded, revealing dynamic changes in RNA levels over time. The technique allows for high-resolution and comprehensive views of the RNA lifecycle, enabling scientists to investigate what happens when something goes wrong in cells.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 24, 2011

Study shows patient's own cells may hold therapeutic promise after reprogramming, gene correction

Researchers have determined that correcting a genetic defect does not substantially increase the number of potentially cancer-causing mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough suggests that human-induced pluripotent stem cells altered to correct a genetic defect may be cultured into subsequent generations of cells ...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Top Queen's scientist gets UK recognition

Professor Alan Stitt has received a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award to support his ground-breaking research on vascular stem cells and eye disease treatment at Queen's University. The award aims to retain top researchers in the UK and reflects the excellence of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science.