Articles tagged with Stem Cell Research
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients who underwent stem-cell transplantation have similar rates of hospitalization, diseases, and psychological health as those who did not receive a transplant. However, they reported higher incidence of musculoskeletal problems and poor long-term sexual health.
The Gladstone Institutes will develop a core curriculum of required and elective courses spanning various stem cell research disciplines. The CIRM Scholars Training Program aims to advance regenerative medicine by focusing on understanding the fundamental mechanisms related to stem cells.
The Keck School's grant will train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows across 27 departments, developing courses on bioethics and cutting-edge gene-transfer technology. The program aims to create a pipeline of highly trained researchers for CIRM-funded projects.
A team of researchers has identified three key transcription factors that enable human embryonic stem cells to maintain pluripotency. By understanding the regulatory circuitry controlling these cells, scientists can now develop strategies to coax them into specific cell types for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding stem cells and their role in reproduction and the nervous system. Studies suggest that therapeutic cloning may become unnecessary once body cells can be re-programmed into stem cells.
Researchers found that most human embryonic stem cell lines exhibit gross genetic changes after a year to three years of growth in the lab. These changes can affect chromosome numbers, gene expression, and mitochondrial DNA sequences. The study highlights the need for close monitoring and further investigation into the effects of these...
Scientists have devised a new technique for creating human stem cells by fusing somatic cells with embryonic stem cells. The hybrid cells exhibit characteristics of human embryonic stem cells and can be induced to mature into various specialized cell types. However, technical hurdles remain before this method can be widely adopted.
A trans-Atlantic team of researchers has successfully created embryonic-like stem cells from umbilical cord blood, a breakthrough that could revolutionize the treatment of serious diseases. The new cell type shares characteristics with both adult and embryonic stem cells, making it an attractive alternative for stem cell therapies.
Neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of the forebrain give rise to malignant astrocytoma in genetically engineered mice. The study challenges current dogma that tumors arise from glial cells throughout the brain.
A new study by Christof Westenfelder's team found that stem cells improve kidney function and reduce tissue injury in acute renal failure. The benefits are primarily mediated by paracrine mechanisms, not differentiation, and are induced by the release of growth factors and cytokines.
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine has been awarded significant NIH funding to support its stem cell research efforts. Researchers will focus on developing methods to genetically modify stem cells and studying the molecular signals that cause them to differentiate into red blood cells.
The Burnham Institute was selected by NIH to receive a $3M grant for exploratory center in hESC research. The center will support pilot projects, core facilities, and training for scientists.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has funded three new Exploratory Centers for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The centers will establish core facilities to support scientists and advance fundamental knowledge of human embryonic stem cell properties and functions.
A recent study found that circulating stem cells contribute less than 1% to lung repair, while most contributions come from lung-resident stem cells. The study also suggests a link between the number of Y-chromosome containing pneumocytes and acute cellular rejection in lung tissue.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati have developed a new chemical compound that can accelerate adult stem cell mobilization, enabling easier harvesting. The findings reveal the RAC GTPase family plays a crucial role in regulating stem cells' movement into bone marrow and blood stream.
Researchers discovered that the protein CrebA single-handedly controls the entire set of events leading to secretion in the fruit fly's salivary gland, improving understanding of how cells become specialized for secretion. This finding could potentially help fix problems with pancreatic cells in juvenile (type I) diabetes.
A panel of experts published recommendations to minimize the risk of altering non-human primates' cognitive capacity, focusing on grafting human stem cells into their brains. The panel concluded that healthy adult members of species distantly related to humans are least likely to experience morally significant changes.
Research involving human stem cells in nonhuman primate brains may be necessary and effective, but oversight boards must consider six key factors to ensure ethics are maintained. The number of human cells used and animal brain size are among the factors considered.
The American Academy of Neurology has supported a bill that would expand funding scope for National Institutes of Health support of embryonic stem-cell research. This move is expected to significantly advance the field while ensuring strong ethical safeguards.
Researchers at U of MN identified 14 genes that regulate blood stem cell development, which could lead to new treatments for blood disorders and cancers. The discovery provides insight into understanding how to stimulate blood stem cells to multiply in the laboratory.
A new method identified by Sean J. Morrison and colleagues distinguishes hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from other progenitor cells using specific SLAM family receptors. The technique enables the purification of HSCs before transplantation, potentially leading to safer transplants.
Researchers have successfully grown mesenchymal stem cells from human skin, which can be differentiated into three vital tissues: bone, muscle, and fat. This breakthrough could provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and organ regeneration, overcoming problems with immune rejection and tissue shortage.
Researchers used SPECT imaging to evaluate the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in patients with coronary heart disease. The study found that stem cells improved damaged heart function, surpassing improvements from increased blood flow to the affected area.
Researchers discovered that some abnormal embryos can self-correct in laboratory culture, producing high-quality stem cells. This breakthrough offers an alternative to creating embryos specifically for stem cell research, potentially resolving ethical concerns.
Researchers have identified a novel type of lung cell that can divide into fresh copies and specialized types, suggesting these cells may contribute to the development of most common lung cancers. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially more effective treatments for lung cancer.
Researchers find that stabilizing a protein called â-catenin drives hair follicle development by reducing the threshold for stem cell activation. Key genes controlling this process are identified, providing new insights into promoting hair growth.
Researchers found that microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and enabling stem cells to pass from the normal stop phase to the stage of replicating their DNA for later division. The discovery suggests that microRNAs may also control cell division in cancer cells, encouraging proliferation.
Dr. Andras Nagy at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto has developed Canada's first embryonic stem cell lines, which hold promise for regenerating damaged tissues and treating various diseases. The lines will be freely available to Canadian scientists to research potential treatments.
The Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative aims to decipher molecular codes responsible for human cellular diversity and design cell-based therapies. This collaboration will bring together researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, and The Rockefeller University to explore stem cell biology.
The Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are collaborating on stem cell research to understand the biology of stem cells. Researchers are working together to identify cancer stem cells and develop cell-based therapeutic strategies for diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers used disabled retroviruses to discover genes that increase the multiplication rate of stem cells, which could improve regenerative medicine. The study found that these genes can be used to enhance the fitness of stem cells, potentially leading to new treatments for inherited blood disorders.
Patients who survived at least two years post-transplant showed reduced risk of death each year after the fifth anniversary. Mortality not related to relapse was increased in patients with specific chemotherapy regimens and stem cell sources.
Stem cells can be made specific to patients regardless of age or sex, showing promise for treating devastating diseases and injuries. The research yields patient-specific cellular models of human disease, paving the way for more precise study and potential cure.
Women donating eggs for stem cell research face unique risks and lack adequate protections. Stanford bioethicists advocate for a new category of research subjects and set of guidelines to ensure informed consent. The proposed changes aim to promote ethical egg donation practices.
A study published in Developmental Cell identifies two genes, HES-1 and HLF, that regulate human blood stem cell behavior. These genes enhance cell-cycle progression and inhibit premature cell death in hematopoietic stem cells.
The university's new regenerative medicine program aims to translate basic stem cell science into therapies for degenerative diseases. The program will draw on faculty from five Medical School departments and be supported by $700,000 in annual funding.
Researchers have isolated embryo-quality stem cells from adult blood for the first time using a physical characteristic of each cell's stretchiness. This breakthrough technique could revolutionize medical research and treatment by providing an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Researchers at Indiana University have successfully transformed adult bone marrow stem cells into auditory neurons, offering new hope for treating deaf patients. The breakthrough involves the use of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid molecules to stimulate the growth of nerve cells in patients with profound hearing loss.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have developed an animal-free culture medium that can maintain human embryonic stem cells in a continuous undifferentiated state. The study's findings provide a new way to generate human stem cell lines without contamination by animal cells or products.
Scientists have successfully grown functional fat cells in a laboratory using a new microscopic three-dimensional scaffolding. The discovery may lead to breakthroughs in treating type II diabetes and could provide a source of transplantable organs.
Researchers at UCLA's new $20 million Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine are exploring various approaches to combat HIV, cancer and neurological disorders. The institution aims to harness the power of embryonic and adult stem cells to develop revolutionary new treatments.
Researchers from the Forsyth Institute and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio describe successful experiments in bioengineering mineralized tissues, including periodontal tissues and replacement tooth phenotypes. This breakthrough is supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Researchers have developed stem-cell generated natural tissue implants that retain their shape and size over time, avoiding issues like implant rupture or cancer detection interference. This approach could eliminate the need for extensive surgery and provide a more natural-looking solution for reconstructive surgeries.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a stem cell therapy that improves motor function and sensory function below spinal injury levels. The treatment inhibits the development of astrocytes, which stimulate pain axon growth, allowing for greater production of oligodendrocytes and myelin-coated nerve fibers.
Researchers at UCF have found a compound that improves adult human stem cells' ability to develop into brain cells, offering hope for treating Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases. The study's findings also suggest potential for improving vision in patients with glaucoma.
Researchers have identified a new source of mesenchymal progenitor cells in the human umbilical cord's Wharton's Jelly, which can be harvested to generate an abundant supply of stem cells. This discovery has the potential to greatly improve bone marrow transplantation success rates, currently ranging from 30-40%. The new stem cell sour...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered regulatory genes in niche cells instruct stem cells to determine their future path, involving proteins acting as 'on-off' switches for stem cell division. This understanding is crucial for developing stem cell therapies and addressing disorders like infertility and cancer.
Researchers find that adult stem cells are maintained by local environment signals that block gene expression, preventing differentiation. The microenvironment captures cells and prevents them from becoming other types of cells.
Researchers found that human embryonic stem cells contain a non-human sialic acid called Neu5Gc, which is incorporated from animal-derived culture materials. The discovery poses a safety concern for the potential therapeutic use of these cells in humans.
Researchers have developed a way to distinguish and separate specific brain cell subtypes for genetic analysis using DNA microarrays. This technique will aid in understanding the development and function of the brain, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
A study of 90 patients reveals 50% experienced delirium, with distinct clusters of symptoms including psychotic problems, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbance. Early recognition is crucial to prevent poor outcomes, as delirium can lead to increased risk of falls, infections, and mortality.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that the loss of hair color is caused by the gradual dying off of adult stem cells, which become depleted and make errors. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of graying and potentially inform treatment for malignant melanoma.
Scientists have successfully cloned primates up to the blastocyst stage, a developmental milestone for embryonic stem cell research and potential treatments for diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's. The breakthrough could pave the way for deriving human embryonic stem cells from nonhuman primate templates.
A new study found that transplanted stem cells from bone marrow cannot become functional heart muscle cells due to their inability to produce the protein sarcoglycan. The researchers tested bone marrow side population cells in mice with a receptor deficiency, but the results were disappointing.
Researchers transplanted BM-SP stem cells into mice with cardiomyopathy, but found that only 2 muscle fibers expressed restored sarcoglycan levels. The study suggests alternative approaches should be investigated for regenerative medicine.
Researchers have developed a treatment for urinary stress incontinence using patients' own stem cells. After a 15-20 minute outpatient procedure, many patients experience no urinary leakage within 24 hours, with increased muscle mass and contractility of the sphincter and thicker urethra.
The National Center for Regenerative Medicine will enable groundbreaking research discoveries using non-embryonic stem cells to treat thousands of patients annually. The center's education programs will train personnel in performing innovative research and delivering world-class patient care.
Researchers have found that stem cells can preserve vision in mice with damaged retinas, holding hope for treatments of macular degeneration and other retinal diseases. The transplanted cells were found to migrate to the damaged area and regain or retain function in cone cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully replicated heart stem cells using a new technique, producing over 100 million cells in four weeks. The resulting cardiospheres contain cells that can regenerate and develop into specialized heart cells.
Scientists have successfully grown sperm progenitor cells in a laboratory culture, paving the way for potential new treatments for male infertility. The breakthrough, led by Hiroshi Kubota, could also enable the creation of genetically modified animals and extend the reproductive life of endangered species.