Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
Researchers at ZymoGenetics have identified a novel Interleukin, IL-21, and its receptor, which play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. The discovery was made using an integrated genomics approach and has shown promising results in promoting the activation of immune cells.
A new patented device co-developed by Ohio State University engineers helps scientists separate cells in the laboratory for transplant and cancer research. The device refines existing magnetic cell separation techniques to better measure how well cells are labeled and magnetized.
Researchers at Ohio State University have made a breakthrough discovery that may lead to a new therapy for patients who suffer from heart attacks. The study shows that blood-derived cells called monocytes can create tunnels in damaged heart tissue, which can potentially be used to grow new blood vessels.
The human organs shortage is raising complex questions about who should receive transplants, how to balance costs against medical needs, and the ethics of extending individual lives. A forum on 'Reinventing the Human: The Six Million Dollar Body' will explore these issues and provide a platform for public debate.
Researchers have identified regulatory cells that govern the behavior of stem cells in Drosophila, revealing a specialized cellular environment known as a niche. The niche environment provides support needed for stem cell self-renewal, and its characteristics may offer insights into human stem cell regulation.
Researchers at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center are testing an immunotherapy treatment that involves collecting stem cells from a patient's sibling to attack the cancer. The trial aims to confirm previous NIH study results and explore its potential in treating solid cancers, including prostate and melanoma.
Researchers have successfully transplanted neuronal stem cells into a diseased rat retina, which integrated into the eye and extended into the optic nerve. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new therapy to restore vision in millions of people affected by retinal damage.
A Phase I/II study found substantial and occasional complete regression of widespread tumors in patients with treatment-resistant metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with blood stem cell transplants. Three patients achieved total regression, while seven showed partial regression of disease.
Researchers found that high-dose immune suppression and stem-cell transplantation can lead to long-term remission in lupus patients. The treatment approach has implications for the treatment of other immune disorders, including multiple sclerosis and some types of cancers.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the hair follicle and epidermis may originate from the same cache of cells. The finding suggests that daughter cells in the upper follicle migrate upward to form and maintain the new epidermis, and down to form the hair shaft.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that hair follicles are the source of new cells for the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. These stem cells reside in a protected area called the bulge, which migrates to the epidermis, replenishing the skin throughout life.
A newly identified protein called palladin is being explored for its influence on biological processes including cancer spread and wound healing. Palladin appears to play a critical role in determining cell shape via the actin cytoskeleton, with different forms of the protein involved in tight adhesion and movement.
UC Davis researchers have successfully restored vision in 10 of 14 patients suffering from severe corneal damage, using a new technique to grow replacement cornea tissue in a laboratory dish. The treatment showed significant improvement in visual acuity, enabling patients to regain their independence.
Researchers discovered that bone marrow-derived stem cells can generate mature liver cells in humans. This groundbreaking finding has the potential to revolutionize treatment options for liver damage and disease.
Scientists have discovered that the bone marrow is a source of mature liver cells, which could be used to develop new treatments for liver diseases. The findings suggest that healthy genes can be inserted into these stem cells to correct metabolic abnormalities.
Researchers find functional liver tissue in human patients, solving organ shortages and rejection issues. The discovery also enables the growth of artificial livers and targets gene therapy for inherited liver diseases.
Dr. Edus H. Warren, an immunologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is one of five recipients of a $1.2 million grant to support his research on understanding immune responses in leukemia patients. He aims to develop strategies for selectively enhancing the GVL effect without inducing GVHD.
Researchers have identified over 2,000 genes active in blood stem cells, shedding light on how they replenish themselves and potentially inform treatments for diseases like leukemias. The discovery offers a powerful tool for understanding blood cell production and development.
Researchers will grow functional human heart tissue, aiming for a fully functional heart in 10 years. They'll use scaffolding, stem cells, and patented technology to engineer cardiac muscle and valves.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have discovered a novel agent that can prevent transplant reactions and promote immunological tolerance. The treatment, using an anti-CD28 antibody, could lead to safer and more effective transplants, reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers have identified a new strain of antibiotic-resistant salmonella bacteria in the US, prompting concerns over effective treatment options. The bacteria, which is resistant to cephalosporins, has been linked to outbreaks in poultry and other foods, posing a significant threat to public health.
Researchers have discovered retinal stem cells in adult mice, cows, and humans, which can proliferate and differentiate into new neurons when removed from the eye. The study suggests that these cells may be harnessed to regenerate and restore vision in damaged eyes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a molecular switch, the protein p21, that controls the development and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. The discovery may solve a major limitation to using these stem cells in transplants and gene therapies.
University of Florida researchers have reversed diabetes in mice by injecting cells that produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. The cells were grown into small, insulin-secreting organs and implanted just beneath the skin, allowing them to function like an endocrine pancreas within days.
Researchers have successfully cloned mice using embryonic stem cells, achieving the highest efficiency to date. The new technology allows for modification of genetic material before cloning, improving understanding of cloning challenges and potential benefits in biomedical research and agriculture.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have successfully cloned an identical monkey named Tetra using embryo splitting. This breakthrough method shows promise for accelerating discoveries in human diseases like Alzheimer's, AIDS, and cancer.
Scientists made significant progress towards controlling human stem cells, which showed promise for treating a range of diseases. Adult stem cells also demonstrated the ability to shed their old identities and adopt new ones, opening up possibilities for important therapies.
Researchers found that stem cells provide a higher two-year survival rate (70%) compared to marrow transplants (45%) for certain high-risk blood cancer patients. The study suggests that stem cell transplants may offer fewer relapses with fewer complications.
The Indiana University Cancer Center has been designated as an NCI-recognized clinical cancer center, bolstering its $33.3 million annual funding for cancer research projects. The grant enhances collaboration between researchers and physicians to target clinical problems and apply findings to new patient treatments.
Researchers from HHMI at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School discovered that stem cells can deliver therapeutic genes to diseased organs, potentially remodeling genetically defective tissues. The study suggests that adult stem cells may be manipulated to heal genetic defects in various organs and tissues.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have isolated hematopoietic stem cells using a specific marker, enabling laboratory production of all types of blood cells. This breakthrough has the potential to alleviate blood shortages for transfusions and develop innovative approaches to bone marrow transplants and gene therapy.
The AAAS study recommends using federal funding for research on human stem cells, including embryonic stem cells already isolated in laboratories. However, the derivation of human stem cells should not receive federal funding due to public anxiety surrounding its process.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is hosting a public forum to gather public comment on stem cell research recommendations. The event will feature a panel discussion with experts from various fields, including science, ethics, and policy.
Researchers have developed a new method to identify and isolate stem cells from umbilical cord blood using an enzyme that changes a fluorescent tag. This technique could help investigate fundamental questions about stem cells and potentially improve success rates of stem cell transplants by eliminating unwanted mature blood cells.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute developed a molecule that allows blood stem cells to multiply without differentiation in the test tube, improving bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy research. This breakthrough could enable scientists to insert genes into human stem cells for treating genetic disorders.
Researchers at University of Washington successfully grew large numbers of mouse blood stem cells in lab for up to four months. The discovery may allow better care of cancer patients and create possibilities for genetic cures by enabling the multiplication of blood stem cells outside the body.
A Brown University research team has identified primary signals that initiate liver formation in embryonic cells. Understanding these signals could lead to new treatments for diseases such as viral hepatitis and cancer by enabling tissue regeneration and reprogramming of diseased cells.
Researchers will discuss cellular interactions in prostate cancer, new gene discoveries, and techniques for measuring patient outcomes. The symposium also features presentations on experimental agents, immunotherapies, and alternative therapies for treating prostate cancer.
Researchers found that vaccinated patients had a significantly lower chance of death and relapse compared to non-vaccinated patients. The THERATOPEO vaccine increased specific killing activity against cancer cells, leading to longer remission periods.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a novel method to turn off genes involved in telomerase activation, which enables continuous cell division in cancer cells. The study used peptide nucleic acid (PNA) molecules to block telomerase activity, showing significant promise for developing new cancer drugs.
The American Society of Transplantation will present over 1,000 presentations on various transplantation topics, including new findings on liver splitting for child recipients and embryonic stem cell transplantation. The conference also explores advancements in treating post-transplant patients without steroids and lung transplantation...
Bone marrow stem cells have been shown to form liver cells, suggesting a potential new approach for treating cirrhosis. Researchers at McGill University in Quebec discovered that cells from bone marrow can differentiate into hepatocytes, oval cells and bile duct cells.
Researchers discovered that human stem cells use a specific receptor, CXCR4, to migrate to bone marrow. Treating stem cells with growth factors increased their ability to express this receptor and migrate successfully, improving transplant success rates from 25% to over 90%.
A new study finds that certain brain cells can be stimulated to regenerate following a stroke, potentially treating memory disorders in stroke patients. Researchers discovered a 12-fold increase in the birth of new cells in rodents after stroke, which may lead to rewireing the brain and helping survivors recover lost memory function.
University of Pittsburgh researchers isolated bone-precursor cells from skeletal muscle and genetically altered them to produce bone growth. Injecting these cells into mice showed they could form bone inside the animals. This discovery may lead to targeted treatments for incomplete fractures.
Researchers have discovered a way to reprogram cells, enabling the selective expression of genes. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for diseases by harnessing this technology to turn off or on specific genes in different cell types.
Human neural stem cells have been cloned for the first time in a solid organ, validating decades of research on mouse cell biology. These cells hold potential for future therapies in conditions like Tay-Sachs disease and brain cancer.
Researchers have found that adult stem cells, previously thought to be permanent, can shed their identities and become blood cells. This discovery raises the possibility of using adult stem cells for therapeutic purposes, such as generating healthy blood cells for patients with blood disorders.
Research reveals that the AHC gene, previously thought to program ovarian development, is actually crucial for male fertility. Males lacking this gene have defective testicles and are sterile. The study also found that overexpression of the AHC gene can interfere with the function of a key protein involved in testicular development.
Researchers demonstrate that human cells grown in the laboratory and immortalized by telomerase are not transformed into cancer cells, exhibiting normal behavior despite extended lifespan. The findings hold promise for new therapies for age-related diseases and cancer.
High-dose cyclophosphamide treatment achieved complete remissions in five patients with autoimmune disorders, while partial remissions were maintained in two. Patients experienced improved kidney function and reduced medication doses.
Scientists have developed a novel gene therapy treatment that permanently blocks age-related loss of muscle size and strength in mice. The treatment increases muscle strength by up to 27% in older mice, fully restoring their strength to young adulthood.
A clinical trial demonstrates that TPO, administered with G-CSF, boosts stem cell migration and increases the number of patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. The treatment significantly improves re-growth of blood cells after chemotherapy.
A phase I trial has shown that adding mature stem cells to an umbilical cord blood transplant increases the success rate of transplants in children. The 'booster' cells were given to patients after growing in a laboratory setting for 12 days, and 19 out of 28 patients had successful transplants.
A five-year study aims to define long-term issues and positive growth in bone marrow transplant survivors, while evaluating factors that impact their survival and quality of life. Researchers will assess physical and psychological health, neuropsychological changes, and menopausal symptoms in over 200 participants.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells, a long-sought achievement. The versatile cells have the potential to rapidly study human processes and develop new therapies for various diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and muscular dystrophies.
Researchers have developed a method to multiply and mature neural stem cells in the lab, which can form dopamine-producing neurons and reduce symptoms in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. The study opens up new opportunities for studying brain development and may lead to the creation of easily controlled stem cell therapies.
The study found that blood cell precursors originate soon after mesoderm cells appear in the embryo, suggesting a new understanding of blood cell development. The discovery also revealed that definitive red blood cell precursors can be found in the yolk sac before they appear within the embryo.
A new procedure called in utero stem cell transplantation has shown promise in treating genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. The technique involves transplanting primitive blood forming cells into an affected fetus, which can cure the disease before damage occurs.
A study by scientists at NIAID found that gene therapy can result in prolonged production of functionally normal white blood cells in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. This finding has important clinical implications for the treatment of this rare immunologic disorder.