Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
A study published in Cell Transplantation has found that using ICG to label human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes substantially improves efforts to optically track stem cells after transplanting them into heart tissues. The labeling procedure did not impair the viability or functional integrity of the cells.
Researchers find random gene expression changes during early differentiation, but stability increases by a factor of 100 after nine generations. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind epigenetic inheritance and its impact on stem cell research.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Christopher Fasano successfully derived floor plate tissue from human embryonic stem cells, a crucial signaling center in brain development. This achievement paves the way for better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers have pinpointed a key molecular player to control mesenchymal stem cell development, which could lead to new therapies for bone and cartilage diseases. The study found that activating the Notch pathway can delay the development of these cells, potentially making them more useful for treating conditions like osteoporosis.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a possible way to kill off leukemia stem cells and prevent relapse. The study found that targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway can suppress leukemia recurrence by inhibiting beta-catenin, a crucial player in leukemia stem cell development.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a new growth factor that stimulates the expansion and regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells. The growth factor, pleiotrophin, has been shown to increase the numbers of human cord blood stem cells in culture capable of engraftment in immune-deficient mice.
Researchers have discovered that infantile hemangiomas originate from stem cells. Steroids target these stem cells specifically, inhibiting their ability to stimulate blood vessel growth. This finding opens the way for more specific and safer therapies for hemangioma.
Researchers at USC identified retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, as a critical regulator of the Second Heart Field's tissue formation and septation process. Disruptions in this pathway can result in serious congenital malformations of the heart.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have discovered a potential new treatment using bone marrow stem cells to build new blood vessels in the upper leg. The treatment, which uses X-ray-visible microbubbles to deliver stem cells, was shown to dramatically improve the body's ability to form new blood vessels and provide a more...
UC Irvine researchers have sequenced the Hydra genome, discovering genes linked to Huntington's disease and beta-amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's. The genome sequencing advances research on regeneration, stem cells, and patterning, offering potential new treatments for various injuries and diseases.
The American Thoracic Society has released new guidelines for CCHS, citing crucial discoveries linking the condition to mutations in the PHOX2B gene. Affected individuals require fastidious medical supervision to attain optimal quality of life, and early identification and intervention are critical.
Researchers at Northwestern University characterized a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The study shows promise for improving surgery success rates for peripheral arterial disease.
A study published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism found that repeated anesthesia can cause a significant decrease in stem cells in the hippocampus, leading to impaired memory and learning in young animals. The researchers believe this effect may be age-related, with younger animals being more susceptible.
Researchers discovered endothelial cells can grow copious amounts of adult stem cells and their progeny over weeks, revolutionizing organ regeneration and cancer cell growth inhibition. This vascular-cell model could manufacture unlimited blood-related stem cells for transplantation.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center developed a new assessment tool to measure the severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) symptoms, which can complicate stem cell transplantation. The tool, MDASI-cGVHD, assesses symptoms on a scale of zero to 10 and correlates with patient reports of overall quality of life.
Scientists at Rhode Island Hospital have discovered a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication using microvesicles, which can reprogram stem cells to behave like healthy cells. This finding offers hope for tissue regeneration and potential treatments for diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. The study showed promising results, with one-fourth of the mice regaining vision after receiving the stem cells.
US government's lifting of restrictions on federally-funded stem cell research has helped scientists focus on science, but limitations remain. George Daley will discuss the current climate and potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) in treating devastating diseases.
A UCSF team recommends modifying NIH stem cell guidelines to protect the rights of individuals donating egg or sperm to patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. The guidelines currently give IVF patients unrestricted authority over embryos leftover after fertility treatments.
Clive Svendsen's team develops specifically-engineered stem cells that stall nerve cell degeneration in ALS patients. The award will fund novel ex vivo gene therapy approaches to treat the disease.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered that stem cells intentionally break and repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote tissue development. This novel process, crucial for muscle tissue development, may also be important for the development of most other tissues.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified the region in vertebrates where adult blood stem cells arise during embryonic development. This discovery is a critical step towards developing safer and more effective stem cell therapies for patients with leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other diseases.
A clinical trial is underway to determine if infusing stem cells from umbilical cord blood can improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy. The study will include 40 children aged 2-12, who will receive either a real or placebo infusion of cord blood.
Researchers use minicircles to reprogram adult cells, achieving higher efficiency than viral vectors and introducing new hope for regenerative medicine applications. The discovery enables easier creation of induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be used to study human diseases and develop novel treatments.
The University of California, Riverside's new Stem Cell Core Facility will enable faster breakthroughs in stem cell research, targeting diseases such as osteoporosis and diabetes. The facility is equipped with the first-in-country Nikon BioStation CT technology, expected to provide valuable data for attacking degenerative diseases.
Researchers have successfully developed a new stem cell treatment that can arrest acute lung injury in mice, paving the way for potential treatments of respiratory diseases. The experimental treatment uses transplantable lung cells derived from human embryonic stem cells and has shown promising results in tests on mice with damaged lungs.
Materials scientists at the University of Washington have developed a three-dimensional scaffold made from natural materials that mimic the binding sites for stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells grow and multiply readily on this structure, offering a clean and biodegradable alternative to traditional feeder layers.
Researchers propose a model of adult stem cell regulation that explains how coexistence of quiescent and active stem cell populations supports tissue renewal and regeneration. The new model suggests separate functional roles for both sub-populations, which may also contribute to cancer drug resistance.
Shinya Yamanaka has developed a method to reprogram adult skin cells into pluripotent stem cells, eliminating the need for embryos. This breakthrough will aid research into preventing birth defects and improving baby health.
A study led by NYSCF Fellow Daylon James has generated a human embryonic stem cell line to measure and boost endothelial cell production, establishing a standard methodology for producing functional endothelial cells from hESCs. The cells can now be used for pre-clinical assessment of vascular disease in large animal models.
A study published in PNAS found that delivering stem cells on a polymer scaffold to treat large areas of missing bone leads to improved bone formation. However, the therapeutic effect is limited by the migration of stem cells away from the injury site, highlighting the need for improved delivery methods.
Scientists from University of Wisconsin-Madison present a new model of stem cell regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans, balancing stem cell maintenance and differentiation. The regulatory network defines two states - stem cell state and differentiated state - and regulates their balance.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that medulloblastomas, the most common type of children's brain cancer, can arise from a specific type of stem cell. This breakthrough finding may lead to new ways to tackle the disease and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Chinese researchers have become a leading contributor to peer-reviewed scientific literature on clock-reversing regenerative medicine, with over 1,100 publications in 2008. New regulations aim to improve patient safety and restore China's global reputation.
Researchers found that MyoD activates CDC6 expression to promote rapid proliferation of muscle stem cells. The study suggests a new mechanism for muscle regeneration and highlights the importance of transcription factors in controlling cell cycle progression.
A recent study developed a straightforward technique to determine the ethnic origin of stem cells, finding that Caucasian and East Asian populations are overrepresented in current cell lines. The team created a new stem cell line with a West African Yoruba genetic profile, which could lead to more diverse research and safer therapies.
Researchers have identified a critical component, Jarid2, of the delicate balancing act between stem cell specialization and cellular chaos. The study reveals how Jarid2 recruits PRC2 to genes important in differentiation and modulates its activity to keep it poised for action.
Researchers found that vitamin C accelerates gene expression changes and promotes efficient iPSC generation. The study suggests a simple way to improve iPSC production, which can be considered a reversal of the aging process at the cellular level.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that umbilical cord tissue contains a plentiful supply of stem cells that could be used to treat various muscle and bone disorders. The study reveals that these cells can be easily harvested from the tissue, expanded in number, and are remarkably stable.
A University of Michigan research team analyzed 47 embryonic stem cell lines and found they lacked genetic diversity, with most derived from northern and western European ancestry. The lack of diversity raises concerns about unequal access to therapies for certain groups.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will coordinate a consortium of national experts in stem cell research, with a focus on regenerative therapy and new clinical therapies. The seven-year grant aims to advance the field at a faster pace and realize potential for new treatments sooner.
Researchers at the Broad Stem Cell Research Center found that tissue-specific genes are indeed marked by transcription factors, potentially crucial for stem cell function. The study suggests that faithful marking of these genes may be essential for pluripotency and efficient differentiation of stem cells.
Researchers discuss consent, privacy and clinical translation issues in iPS cell study. The emergence of iPS cells adds new challenges to the legal and social debates in stem-cell science.
Researchers at the North East England Stem Cell Institute have developed a successful stem cell therapy to treat Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), a painful and blinding disease. The treatment, which uses patients' own stem cells without immunosuppression, shows promise for restoring sight in hundreds of people.
Researchers have created human stem cell-derived neurons to model Alzheimer's disease and Niemann-Pick Type C, revealing early transport defects as a key factor in severe neuronal dysfunction. The study aims to understand how genetic differences affect cellular transport and behavior in these diseases.
A novel framework encourages adult stem cells to differentiate into heart cells by mimicking the elasticity alterations that occur in protein scaffolds. More cardiomyocytes were formed on this framework than with conventional techniques, suggesting improved cardiac differentiation.
Researchers from UCLA demonstrate that human blood stem cells can be engineered into cells that target and kill HIV-infected cells. This approach, similar to a genetic vaccine, could be effective against other chronic viral diseases. The study provides proof-of-principle for using this strategy in the human body.
Researchers found that stem cells from flies lacking SOCS protein had more integrin, allowing them to stick to the niche better than neighboring germline stem cells. This model can be applied to other stem cell niches such as cancer, where cancer stem cells become a danger when they become sticky.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new source of nerve cell generation in the adult brain, specifically in the olfactory bulb. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease, where nerve cell degeneration plays a crucial role.
Researchers at Hebrew University have developed a novel stem cell technology, immuno-isolation, to treat complicated bone fractures. The technology has been successfully used to treat seven patients with a combination of their own MSCs and blood products, offering a promising alternative to standard treatment methods.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Bernard Thébaud has demonstrated that stem cells protect and repair the lungs of newborn rats, boosting the power of healthy lung cells and preventing further damage. This research offers real hope for a new treatment for babies with chronic lung disease.
Researchers discovered that the peptide C3a regulates nerve cell maturation and migration in mice, which could lead to treating stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. The study found that molecules similar to C3a can boost nerve cell formation and replace damaged cells.
Scientists have demonstrated that stem cells found in amniotic fluid can form three-dimensional aggregates of cells known as embryoid bodies, which suggests they may be useful for treating a wider array of diseases and conditions. The findings suggest that the amnion cells have greater potential than thought and may be able to form man...
Researchers at I-STEM Institute have made significant breakthrough in stem cell research by recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells. The goal is to provide an unlimited resource of cells as an alternative treatment for victims of third-degree burns and patients with genetic diseases affecting the skin.
Researchers at Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute will label stem cells with gadonanotubes to track their effectiveness in regenerating damaged heart tissue. The team aims to use MRI to steer the cells in vivo with an external magnetic field.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells restored learning and memory to normal levels in rats four months after radiotherapy. The treatment showed promise in reversing radiation-induced damage of healthy tissue in the brain.
Rhode Island Hospital has received a $11 million NIH grant to study stem cell biology and tissue regeneration in lung and marrow diseases. The research will focus on determining the true phenotype of marrow stem cells and their fate as tissue.
A Stanford study reveals that a gene linked to human longevity impacts the brain's ability to generate new neurons. Researchers found that mice without this gene had fewer neural stem cells and more rapidly churned out nerve cell precursors, leading to brain weight increases.
A new treatment approach using a radiolabeled antibody to deliver targeted doses of radiation followed by a stem cell transplant has been shown to be effective in treating advanced leukemia. Forty percent of patients achieved remission, with approximately 35% surviving three years.
Researchers have detected distinct molecular disparities between induced pluripotent stem cells and their parental cells, including differences in epigenetic signatures. These findings provide new insights into the fundamental nature of stem cells and may inform therapeutic applications.