Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
Adult stem cells from bone marrow have shown promise in preventing and treating acute lung injury by repairing damaged endothelial cells. Researchers found that these progenitor stem cells, named Flk-1 and CD34, can repair lung damage and improve survival when administered to mice with ALI.
Physician-researchers at USC have received a nearly $16 million grant to develop a stem cell-based treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The four-year study aims to replace damaged retinal cells with healthy ones derived from human embryonic stem cells.
A team of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers, led by Eduardo Marbán, received a $5.5 million grant to develop cardiac stem cell therapies for strengthening and healing damaged heart muscle caused by cardiac arrest. The goal is to create new treatments for heart attack patients in four years or less.
Researchers have developed two experimental treatments that restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. A retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant showed promise in human studies, improving visual acuity in several individuals with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Scripps Research scientists have made a breakthrough in creating stem cells from adult human tissue using three small drug-like chemicals. The new technique is 200 times more efficient and twice as fast than conventional methods, solving two major challenges in the development of stem-cell-based medicine.
Embryonic stem cells exhibit sensitivity to localized cyclic forces due to their softness, affecting gene expression and differentiation. The study suggests that applying controlled mechanical forces could be a new method for directing cell behavior, with implications for therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a novel approach to building vascular networks in engineered tissues using custom-designed synthetic molecules and embryonic stem cells. Their goal is to produce networks that can grow and maintain themselves like natural blood vessels, paving the way for improved human lives.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new high-throughput cellular array technology that can identify the biological components leading to or alleviating liver disease. By controlling the environment surrounding star-shaped liver cells, they found critical proteins regulating HSC activation.
A study published in Stem Cells reveals human stem cells can immunize against colon cancer by tricking the immune system. The discovery builds upon a century-old theory and opens up new possibilities for cancer vaccine research.
Researchers at MDC Berlin-Buch show that DNA methylation regulates the development of blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells, with implications for cancer. The study found that manipulating DNA methylation levels can control the formation of specific blood cell lineages.
Researchers at MIT have successfully generated blood vessels near damaged tissue using enhanced stem cells equipped with genes producing growth factors. The breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infarctions and induced blood supply for engineered tissues.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have successfully reprogrammed umbilical cord blood cells to function like embryonic stem cells, creating a potential source for patient-specific stem cells. The new method reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming genetic modifications, making it a safer alternative for clinical applications.
Masitinib targets mast cells and shows greater activity and selectivity against KIT than benchmark TKI imatinib. The study demonstrates masitinib's potential in treating KIT and PDGFR-dependent diseases, including various cancers, inflammatory diseases, and neurological indications.
Researchers found that moss shares basic development processes with humans and discovered a key component in stem cell programming. This discovery has implications for cancer research and could lead to better reprogramming of implanted stem cells.
University of Michigan researchers have successfully induced embryonic stem cells to differentiate into parathyroid cells producing a hormone essential for maintaining bone density. The goal is to prevent osteomalacia, a severe form of bone loss affecting tens of thousands in the US.
Researchers at WPI's Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center have received funding from the NIH and NSF to study the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and develop engineered blood vessels. The work aims to create new treatments for infections and heart disease, and could lead to targets for a new class of antibiotics.
UCSF researchers found private cord blood banking to be cost-effective only for families with high likelihood of needing a stem cell transplant. The analysis revealed that the process is more expensive than expected, with an additional $1,374,246 per life-year gained.
The Canadian Stem Cell Foundation has released a charter that unifies supporters of stem cell research, outlining five principles for advancing the field. The charter aims to promote responsible science, protect citizens, and empower the public to speak out on behalf of stem cell research.
Scripps Research scientists successfully corrected a genetic defect in mice with cystinosis, a rare and devastating disorder. The treatment involved bone marrow stem cell transplantation, which significantly reduced cystine levels and improved symptoms.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a population of cancer stem cells in the liver prior to tumor formation. These malignant stem cells have been found to be resistant to chemotherapy and are thought to play a key role in driving liver cancer formation. The study suggests that targeting these cells could poten...
The 2009 Lasker Awards honor pioneering work in cancer and stem cell research, promising new therapies and a $700 million global market. Renowned scientists receive awards for their discoveries in nuclear reprogramming techniques and regenerative medicine.
Researchers identified two proteins, C/EBPα and β, that control the transition from stem cell to skin cell development in mice. Mice lacking these proteins had defective skin formation and died shortly after birth. The study sheds light on the mechanisms involved in skin cancer and other epithelial cancers.
The Rome meeting aimed to address the challenges of sharing biological research data and materials, highlighting the negative impact of restrictive licensing on genetically engineered mice and embryonic stem cells. The meeting recommended increasing investment in public databases and mouse repositories to facilitate efficient sharing.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggests that many mainstream scientists regularly work with journalists, contradicting the common perception that they are out of touch. The study found that senior researchers tend to interact most frequently with reporters.
Researchers have identified versatile cells in liposuction leftovers that can be quickly converted into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), potentially revolutionizing regenerative medicine. The study shows a 20-fold improvement in efficiency compared to skin cells, which are more challenging to reprogram.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a protein called nSR100 that controls alternative splicing events in genes critical to nervous system formation. This discovery could provide new insights into brain complexity and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers engineered a chimeric protein that increases cell survival, migration and proliferation to improve liver stem cell engraftment. The protein, TAT-Tpr-Met, was shown to increase the number of hepatic stem cells integrated into the liver of mice.
Researchers have successfully modified a human embryonic stem cell line to glow red when it becomes a red blood cell, representing a significant step towards generating mature red blood cells from human stem cells. This breakthrough could aid in tracking the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specific cell types.
Only two human embryonic stem cell lines, H1 and H9, have been used routinely in research, with the majority of requests coming from these lines. This finding raises concerns about the impact on future research and the need for a more diverse range of cell lines.
A team of researchers has identified phosphorylated signaling proteins in human embryonic stem cells, shedding light on the mechanisms that determine cell fate. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapies by controlling stem cell differentiation.
Scientists identify key molecular players responsible for reversion of adult cells into a primordial, stem cell state. By reducing activity of Jak and STAT proteins, researchers found fewer cells to revert back to stem cells, with only 60% regaining their stem cell population.
Researchers have developed a new approach to treat ischemic pathologies by activating the protein HIF, which stimulates revascularization and organ repair. This strategy aims to address cardiovascular diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide, by over-producing HIF in response to ischemia.
Researchers are developing a new technique using human stem cells to study ALS, reducing the need for animal experiments. Dr Vasanta Subramanian will use Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (iPS cells) from adult skin cells to analyze genes causing the disease.
Researchers at the University of Florida successfully programmed bone marrow stem cells to become vision cells by mimicking environmental conditions with chemical compounds. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for age-related macular degeneration, affecting nearly 2 million people in the US. The study's findings have signifi...
Researchers have discovered significant differences in the quality of bone-like materials grown from different types of bone cells and stem cells. The study provides insight into how cell sources influence bone quality and brings us closer to developing materials for successful implantation.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical School have discovered that leukemia stem cells can escape detection by co-opting a protective molecular badge used by normal blood stem cells. The molecule, CD47, protects the leukemia stem cells from macrophages, allowing them to evade the immune system. Studies found that patients with high...
Researchers have identified 60 new microRNA genes in planarians that may play a role in regeneration. Additionally, they discovered millions of piRNAs, which are essential for genome stability and likely function similarly to mammals.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich used new bioimaging techniques to show that hematopoietic progenitor cells are instructed by cytokines, steering their lineage choice. This discovery confirms the influence of environmental factors on cell differentiation and has important implications for optimizing therapeutic stem cell applications.
Researchers at Newcastle University have successfully created human sperm from embryonic stem cells, allowing them to study the causes of infertility and potentially develop new treatments. The technique uses germline stem cells developed from male embryos, which are then prompted to mature into fully functional sperm.
A gene called Chd1 has been found to be critical in maintaining the pluripotent state of embryonic stem cells. This discovery could lead to a greater understanding of how cells acquire specialized states and provide a strategy for efficiently reprogramming mature cells back into the pluripotent state.
Researchers at Gladstone Institute discovered a key switch, microRNA-145 (miR-145), to turn stem cells into muscle cells that reside in blood vessel walls. This finding suggests restoring miR-145 activity could prevent artery narrowing and vessel disease.
A team of bioethicists is urging the public to engage in open discussions about the research and reproductive use of stem cell-derived gametes. The authors recommend guidelines for the development of these cells, including specific consent requirements and oversight rules.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a novel connection between the telomerase molecule and the Wnt pathway in stem cell regulation. Overexpression of telomerase's TERT protein enhances Wnt-inducible genes, suggesting a potential new target for cancer therapies.
Case Western Reserve University has received funding to support multiple stem cell and regenerative medicine commercial, emerging, and pilot projects. The $5 million grant will help advance technologies to benefit patients in Ohio, building on previous investments that have brought in $170 million in new commercial development.
Researchers at MU develop method to transform fibroblasts from a pig's connective tissues into induced pluripotent stem cells. The new approach eliminates genetic incompatibility issues and allows for long-term animal models, paving the way for more accurate tests of stem cell therapies.
Scientists found that adult muscle stem cells can regenerate muscles after injury without the two key embryonic muscle cell genes Pax3 and Pax7. This discovery challenges current research on muscular dystrophy and regenerative medicine, suggesting that age-matched stem cells may be more effective for therapy.
Johns Hopkins researchers have made a breakthrough in editing human stem cells, enabling the development of patient-specific therapies for rare blood diseases like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The team successfully targeted and edited a gene responsible for causing PNH, improving on standard gene targeting technology.
Researchers have successfully created a line of induced pluripotent stem cells from adult pigs, providing a valuable model for studying therapeutic potential and addressing ethical concerns. The pig iPS cells closely resemble human stem cells, making them an exciting emerging field with rapid progression and multiple applications.
Researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered a protein called Wnt7a that increases satellite stem cells in muscle tissue, leading to accelerated growth and repair. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic treatments for muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia.
Researchers demonstrated a non-invasive procedure that increased myocytes and reduced cardiac tissue injury by 60%, improving heart function by 40%. The therapy also reduced fibrosis, promoting regeneration of heart tissue.
Researchers have discovered that activated stem cells in damaged lungs may lead to rapidly dividing cells that can develop into lung cancer. This finding is significant because it highlights the role of stem cell activation in lung cancer susceptibility, particularly among cigarette smokers.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are making rapid progress in stem cell therapy, with a first-in-human study initiated for Parkinson's disease. The study uses the drug product sNN0031, which has shown long-lasting recovery and new cell formation in animal models. Additionally, a treatment for ALS entered clinical trials last year.
The American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) endorses the new NIH Guidelines, enabling research on human embryonic stem cells derived from IVF embryos. This move aims to facilitate the development of stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases by reducing restrictions on cell line acquisition.
Researchers successfully transplanted embryonic stem cells into mouse embryos, demonstrating a capacity to recover from cardiac injury in adulthood. The study provides evidence for preventive regenerative medicine to treat myocardial infarction through prophylactic intervention.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem neutralized tumor growth in human embryonic stem cells by identifying and inhibiting the survivin gene. This breakthrough paves the way for further progress in stem cell therapy for diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and heart failure.
Researchers at UBC's Biomedical Research Centre have identified S1P as a molecule that can open the thymic gate for migrating stem cells. This discovery holds promise for increasing the success of blood stem cell transplants, which are currently used to treat diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia.
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed blood cells into cells that mimic embryonic stem cells, opening up new avenues for research and potential treatment of diseases. The discovery provides an accessible source of stem cells, which can be used to study various diseases and develop new therapies.
Researchers have found that human foetal stem cells can effectively treat back leg ischaemic ulcers in a model of type 1 diabetes. The culture mimics the wound-healing ability of the cells, suggesting they could be used as a 'factory' of wound-healing substances.
A team from IRIC has successfully produced a large quantity of laboratory stem cells from a small number of blood stem cells. This breakthrough could lead to major implications in fields with no current treatment, such as transplantation and organ rejection prevention.
Researchers at UT Houston are conducting a Phase I safety trial using patient's own stem cells to treat strokes. The study aims to reduce disability in patients and could be an exciting new therapeutic approach.