Articles tagged with Stem Cell Research
A team of scientists at the Joslin Diabetes Center has identified a key regulator of hematopoietic stem cell migration and proliferation, which could lead to improved bone marrow and blood cell transplants. The discovery also holds promise for treating type 1 diabetes and enhancing recovery from infections after transplantation.
Dame Anne McLaren was a pioneer in embryonic germ cells and contributed to IVF treatments. Prof Christine Mummery will honor her memory with a keynote lecture on advances in stem cell research, highlighting its potential for treating diseases like heart damage.
New study finds blood-forming stem cells can survive without Notch signals, allaying fears of damage during chemotherapy. The findings have implications for a high-profile breast-cancer drug trial combining chemotherapy with a Notch inhibitor.
A new drug candidate, TG101348, has been developed to treat a rare class of blood diseases called myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). The drug, which targets the JAK2 protein that causes overproduction of red blood cells, shows promise in halting disease progression and reversing excessive production of red blood cells.
Researchers have discovered that stem cells isolated from hair follicles can differentiate into smooth muscle cells that grow new vasculature, making them ideal for engineering cardiovascular tissue regeneration. This breakthrough may lead to the development of new treatments for vascular grafts and cardiac tissue regeneration.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully created new neurons using uterine stem cells, which increased dopamine levels and partially corrected Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of a potential human treatment.
Researchers from UCLA used high-resolution technique array CGH to examine the genome of two human embryonic stem cell lines, finding differences in gene numbers that could impact disease susceptibility and therapeutic applications. These differences can provide a unique genetic fingerprint for each line, enabling researchers to choose ...
A Northwestern University team has developed a method to assemble polymer and small molecule into flexible but strong sacs that can grow human stem cells. The sacs have been shown to survive for weeks in culture, allow proteins to pass through the membrane, and even self-repair damaged membranes.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully used therapeutic cloning to treat Parkinson's disease in mice. The method involves generating customized dopamine neurons from the patient's own skin cells and transplanting them into the mouse, resulting in neurological improvement.
Researchers are exploring stem cell transplants to provide insulin cells for a bioartificial pancreas, addressing the shortage of human pancreatic islet tissue. They also aim to target and destroy cancer stem cells to improve therapies and develop reversible immortalized cell lines.
Injecting human umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC) into aged laboratory animals rejuvenates the hippocampus region of their brains by reducing inflammation and increasing neurogenesis. This study presents a potential cell therapy approach to improve brain function in aging individuals.
A new stem cell technique has been developed by UC Irvine researchers, which blends two existing methods to improve cell survival rates and increase the efficiency of inserting DNA into cells. This approach is up to 100 times more efficient than current methods at producing human embryonic stem cells with desired genetic alterations.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the origin of blood stem cells, finding that they are generated in the placenta. The study's findings may allow for the growth of blood stem cells in cell culture, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases like leukemia and aplastic anemia. By understanding how blood stem ...
Recent research suggests adult stem cells from blood or marrow may provide treatment benefits for certain autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disorders. The studies indicate that these cells can contribute to modest improvement in cardiac function, but more clinical trials are needed to determine their effectiveness.
Researchers are developing a new approach to treat conditions like osteoarthritis and trauma injuries using patient-derived stem cells. The 'bioactive scaffold' protects the stem cells, simulating their growth into bone or cartilage in the affected area.
ASU researcher Daniel Sarewitz argues that excessive direct democracy in science funding can result in abuse and a loss of credibility. He suggests that representative democracy is more effective, allowing for informed decision-making and consideration of complex issues.
UCLA stem cell scientists have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into embryonic stem cells without using embryos or eggs. This breakthrough uses genetic alteration to turn back the clock on human skin cells and create cells nearly identical to human embryonic stem cells, which can become every cell type in the human body.
Researchers have developed a transparent zebrafish that allows direct observation of internal organs and processes like tumor metastasis and blood production. The study reveals cancer cells' ability to 'home' to specific locations, enabling scientists to better understand disease progression.
A recent study from Rockefeller University has discovered the protein NFATc1, which regulates hair growth and maintains stem cell potency. The research suggests that these stem cells do not need prolonged resting periods to maintain their abilities.
Researchers have designed an implantable cell retriever and reprogrammer that can isolate and manipulate specific cell populations with great efficiency. The device uses the mechanics of blood flow to capture viable stem cells, which are rare in the bloodstream.
The University of Southern California (USC) has been selected for a major funding round to establish a new institute for stem cell research. The grant, worth up to $262 million, will support the construction of a facility for basic and discovery stem cell research, as well as preclinical and clinical studies.
A study by UCI researchers has identified the Lhx2 gene as the long-sought cortical creator gene, instructing stem cells in the developing brain to form the cerebral cortex. This finding could potentially be used in stem cell research efforts to grow new cortical neurons to replace damaged ones.
Researchers at USC have identified a novel signaling mechanism that coordinates stem cell activity and regulates hair regeneration in large populations of hairs in animal models. The study found that periodic expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) in the skin macro-environment is key to coordinated hair stem cell activation.
The Xie Lab found that Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells can out-compete normal stem cells for a position in the niche by invading neighboring cells and increasing cellular response to E-cadherin. This mechanism ensures only undifferentiated stem cells remain in the niche.
The article profiles the nine leading US presidential candidates on their stance on critical scientific issues. Hillary Clinton proposes a $50 billion research fund for green energy, while John Edwards aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Researchers have successfully transferred a new gene to cancer patients via their own stem cells, aiming for stronger treatment with less severe side effects. The study found that six out of eight patients had stem cells carrying the MGMT gene in their blood or bone marrow after treatment.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully matured beating heart cells derived from embryonic stem cells, overcoming two significant obstacles in developing a stem cell heart patch. They also developed a biocompatible scaffold that can hold the new cardiomyocytes in place while they integrate into existing heart tissue.
Researchers discovered that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks for astronauts. The study's findings suggest that identifying medications or physical shielding to protect these cells will be crucial for future human space missions.
Researchers used PET imaging and bioluminescence to track stem cell behavior in small animal models, determining their fate and potential applications in treating heart diseases, brain disorders, and cancer. The unique combination of these imaging techniques offers a reliable method for labeling stem cells.
Researchers found that nonmyeloablative stem-cell transplant patients have similar outcomes regardless of whether they receive related or unrelated donor cells, with no significant differences in mortality rates. The study suggests that the combination of immunosuppressive drugs and mini-transplant biology may be responsible for the co...
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells can travel to visceral organs to perform reconnaissance missions and produce new immune cells. These cells can synthesize defense mechanisms to counter invading pathogens, indicating a more dynamic role for hematopoietic stem cells.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in deriving functional heart cells from human embryonic stem cells, exhibiting excitation-contraction coupling and handling calcium ions. The finding offers hope for future use of stem cell treatment in patients with end-stage disease, potentially avoiding the need for heart transplants.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully transplanted new blood-forming stem cells into the bone marrow of mice, effectively replacing their immune systems. This technique could potentially treat autoimmune and genetic blood diseases by introducing a healthy immune system.
Acclaimed stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka successfully reprograms human adult cells into pluripotent stem cells capable of developing into any cell type. This breakthrough accelerates the pace of stem cell research and holds promise for generating alternative sources of human pluripotent stem cells.
Researchers at UW-Madison have successfully reprogrammed skin cells into embryonic stem cells, potentially resolving the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. This breakthrough could lead to a shift in government funding policies and pave the way for non-embryonic stem cell research.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough could revolutionize the field of stem cell biology and provide a new source of stem cells for medical research.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine created a database of molecular profiles for blood cells, identifying unique 'lineage fingerprints' that mark different cell types. They found two genes that, when overexpressed, drove the differentiation of specific blood cells.
A new study identifies netrin-1 as the key molecule responsible for repelling adult stem cells away from spinal cord injuries. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for repairing previously irreversible nerve damage.
A team of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered stem cells in the intervertebral discs of humans and animals, suggesting a potential new approach to treating degenerative disc disease. The discovery could lead to the use of adult stem cells to repair damaged discs and alleviate lower back and neck pain.
A new study from the University of California, Irvine, has found that neural stem cells can enhance memory in mice with brain injuries. The treatment promotes neuronal connections and protects existing cells, suggesting hope for a potential drug to restore memory in patients with neuronal loss.
Researchers at Yale University's Stem Cell Center discovered piRNAs, a recently identified class of tiny RNAs, play a crucial role in regulating gene function and stem cell fate. The study found over 13,000 piRNAs in fruit flies, revealing their importance in controlling chromatin and gene expression.
Scientists used a genetic tool to study human embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. They found that reducing or increasing the expression of oct4 gene induced differentiation, revealing a key difference in early human development regulation compared to mice.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have identified a crucial signaling pathway that triggers eye development in tadpoles. By introducing a specific enzyme called E-NTPDase2, researchers were able to induce the formation of multiple eyes in frogs, with some individuals developing an additional eye on their sides or abdomens.
Dr. Wise Young, a world-renowned expert in spinal cord injury, is being recognized for his groundbreaking research and passionate support of stem cell therapy. He will receive the Melvyn H. Motolinsky Research Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award for his compassionate approach to science.
A study by UC San Diego and HHMI researchers reveals that SMRT protein prevents premature neural differentiation in embryos, highlighting its role in maintaining neural stem cells. The absence of this protein leads to abnormalities similar to vitamin A exposure, suggesting a link between SMRT and retinoic acid-induced differentiation.
A study reveals a new mechanism controlling how stem cells become either skeletal or smooth muscle cells, with implications for treating heart disease and cancer. The discovery of myocardin suggests new ways to treat diseases driven by stem cell replacement programs.
The study found that aging stem cells in fruit flies experienced a decline in growth factor unpaired (upd), leading to reduced stem cell numbers. Artificially increasing upd levels delayed the loss of germline stem cells, suggesting that the niche's molecular signals govern stem cell behavior.
The Stowers Institute's Xie Lab has discovered that stem cell aging is controlled by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The study found that specific proteins, adhesion between cells, and enzyme activity can influence stem cell lifespan and function, potentially leading to the development of new therapies for age-related diseases.
Researchers at A*STAR in Singapore discovered that epigenetic modifications influence gene expression in human embryonic stem cells. The study found that genes modified by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 contain DNA recipes for protein proliferation and are crucial to sensory processes, immunity, and drug metabolism.
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed adult stem cells from male mice' testes into functional blood vessels and cardiac tissue. These multipotent adult spermatogonial-derived stem cells may offer an alternative to embryonic stem cells without ethical concerns.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College report a breakthrough in isolating specialized subsets of spermatogonial stem cells that can generate a wide range of cell and tissue types. The study's findings have promising implications for regenerative medicine, offering an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Scientists have developed a novel 3D cell culture technology that more accurately reflects human tissue structure and behavior. This technology can lead to reduced animal testing and improved drug discovery efficiency.
Researchers created methods to study millions of stem cells on devices the size of a microscope slide, enabling thousands of individual stem cell experiments to be carried out quickly. A platform was also developed to understand how different genes impact stem cell function or development, allowing for rapid screening of genetic sequen...
Embryonic stem cells exhibit improved development when subjected to moderate fluid motion, similar to the womb's gentle rocking motions. This phenomenon was discovered by accident using a lab shaker, offering a simpler method for producing healthier cells with reduced clumping and increased cell survival rates.
Scientists have identified unique stem cells within adult tendons that can proliferate and self-renew, regenerating tendon-like tissue in an animal model. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for tendon injuries caused by overuse and trauma.
The Buck Institute launches Geroscience, a new interdisciplinary field focused on the interface of normal aging and age-related disease. Researchers will employ novel approaches to studying diseases in the context of aging.
A UCR plant cell biologist is studying how plant stem cells maintain their identity and specialize into different cell types. He will use two powerful methods, microgenomics and live imaging, to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind stem-cell regulation.
The new journal Stem Cell Research will cover all aspects of stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, cancer stem cells, and developmental studies. It aims to disseminate the results of ongoing research in this rapidly expanding field, with a focus on high-quality peer-reviewed studies.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified a unique population of adult stem cells derived from human muscle tissue that can be used to treat muscle injuries and diseases. The myoendothelial cells are easily isolated, proliferate rapidly, and can differentiate into muscle, bone, and cartilage cells.
Researchers at University of Michigan dispute the immortal strand hypothesis, which suggests adult stem cells minimize genetic mutations through a non-random DNA segregation process. They found no evidence supporting this idea in blood-forming mouse stem cells.