Articles tagged with Stem Cell Research
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.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have identified key growth factors essential for sustaining spermatogonial stem cells in culture. By understanding these factors, scientists hope to develop new fertility therapies and create sperm in vitro.
Scientists at Sick Kids Research Institute have identified a new source of stem cells found in adult skin that can transform into neurons, offering hope for treating brain disorders. The discovery was made using mice and has similar findings in human cells.
Researchers have developed blood cells without animal serum, paving the way for potential human applications. The new method uses specific growth factors to guide cell differentiation, avoiding contamination risks associated with animal serum.
Researchers found that stem cells in mice with Alzheimer's disease were attracted to abnormal protein bundles called amyloid plaques. This could lead to the development of plaque-busting treatments using adult olfactory bulb stem cells.
Researchers successfully transplanted human retinal stem cells into light-sensing photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells in animal models. The study's findings have implications for future treatment of degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.
Researchers have successfully engineered mice with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a particularly deadly childhood muscle cancer. The studies provide insights into the genetic events that cause the disease, paving the way for potential new therapies.
Scientists have identified four critical stages in generating B cells from stem cells, involving regulatory proteins and signaling pathways that guide the cell's development. The study paves the way for creating customized immune cells with specific functions.
International society agrees on fat stem cell clinical applications for repairing bone defects, promoting blood vessel growth in tissues and treating cardiac diseases. The best use of this technology is expected to be developing therapies using patients' own cells.
Researchers identified a mechanism for beta-cell growth during insulin resistance, which occurs as a normal protective response to delay type 2 diabetes onset. PDX-1 plays a crucial role in regulating this growth, and modulating key proteins involved may enhance beta cell replication or transplantation
Researchers develop methodology to efficiently pinpoint mutations in mitochondrial respiratory chain, identifying new cause of lethal neonatal disease. The technique uses cell-fusion experiments and bioinformatics analyses to categorize mutation types, revealing complex genetic backgrounds.
A team of UBC scientists aims to use stem cells to regenerate bone cells and improve the success rate of artificial joint replacements. By combining minerals and slow-release growth factors, they hope to create a strong, organic environment to secure prosthetic joints.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have successfully isolated a single mouse skin cell that can differentiate into various epidermal tissues, including hair and sebaceous glands. The study's findings hold promise for potential future applications in treating human skin and hair conditions.
Researchers have identified stem cells in skin that can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types, offering new insights into regenerative medicine. The discovery holds promise for treating hair loss and wound healing.
A University of Toronto study discovered precursor cells within the adult pancreas that can make new pancreatic cells, potentially providing a plentiful supply of beta cells for transplant treatments. The research also found that these cells can generate both beta cells and neurons, challenging existing dogma on development.
The field of stem-cell research faces challenges in winning public support due to limited clinical benefits. Scientists are urged to step forward and lead a debate about the potential benefits and costs of working with stem cells.
International bodies have struggled to agree on separating stem-cell research from reproductive cloning laws. Dr. Carol A Tauer argues that each issue should be argued on its own merits. Scientists shy away from controversial areas due to unclear funding policies, and the EU needs to break its stalemate for progress.
A recent study found that the public's opinions on stem-cell research are heavily influenced by poll questions and messaging, with support for embryonic research being lower than expected. The study suggests that the debate is ongoing, with supporters seeking to capitalize on recent events like Ronald Reagan's death.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that adding a single protein, BMP4, induced mouse stem cells to become fat cells. The study suggests that a similar signal is likely involved in humans, too, paving the way for new treatments for obesity and related diseases.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington has identified a gene, ZFP145, that is linked to sperm-producing stem cells in mammals. The study found that this gene plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of these cells, and its mutation can lead to infertility.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that lost sperm-making stem cells in fruit flies can be replaced by reversing their specialized state. The team found that temperature changes can trigger a process called dedifferentiation, where more specialized cells retrace the path taken by stem cells.