Research on stem cells and regenerative medicine. Covers engineered T cells, scalable manufacturing, blood-cancer research, and stem-cell training programs.
A new study from the University of Ottawa proposes using vanoxerine, a drug initially developed for cocaine addiction, to potentially treat advanced colon cancer. Vanoxerine has been found to suppress cancer stem cell activity in colon cancer patients' tissues and tumours implanted in laboratory animals. The drug works by interfering w...
Researchers at TU Wien create artificial cartilage tissue by colonizing porous plastic spheres with cells, achieving seamless integration and uniform structure. The novel technique has potential for medical applications, including replacing injured cartilage.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered a new mechanism by which nutrient adaptation influences intestinal stem cell function and ageing. Intermittent fasting has been shown to benefit intestinal stem cells by preserving their flexible regulation, which is essential for differentiation.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered how stem cells decide their fate by analyzing the activity of two key regulators, short-root and scarecrow, in real-time using light sheet microscopy. This finding has implications for understanding cell development and preventing diseases such as cancer.
Scientists created a human heart organoid system to simulate embryonic heart development under pregestational diabetes-like conditions. The organoids recapitulate hallmarks of the condition and showed that ER stress and lipid imbalance contribute to the disorders. Exposure to omega-3s ameliorated the effects.
A microfluidic chip can remove undifferentiated cells that could form tumors before they are implanted in a patient, improving the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy. The device can sort over 3 million cells per minute without causing damage to fully-formed progenitor cells.
A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center discovered a link between the protein VAPB and tumor cell proliferation in medulloblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children. High expression of VAPB correlated with reduced patient survival.
Johns Hopkins researchers have made progress toward developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric disorders. They identified 26 placental mRNAs present in maternal blood only during pregnancy, which reflected changes occurring inside the tissues.
Researchers have identified a link between CCHS and the ubiquitin transfer system, revealing that aberrant interaction with this system disrupts normal neural protein degradation, leading to cell death. This discovery could pave the way for significant advances in disease therapeutics.
Researchers at USC Stem Cell lab discovered nearly 40 genes associated with immune cell production, including those related to diseases like myelodysplastic syndrome. The study found that gene activity was linked to specific levels of immune cell production, offering insights for improving bone marrow transplantation strategies.
IPK researchers discovered a universal pattern of internode elongation in barley, dividing the main axis into three subzones. The study identified genetic loci affecting internode length, including the flowering time gene PHOTOPERIOD1, and found that shorter proximal internodes are associated with higher floral organ survival.
A research team at HKUMed has identified PLK4 as a novel therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) carrying the TP53 mutation. The study found that PLK4 inhibition induces DNA damage, cell ageing and abnormal cell division, triggering the immune system via the cGAS-STING pathway.
Researchers have effectively targeted three distinct groups of cholangiocarcinoma, a lethal disease caused by liver fluke parasite or herbal carcinogen exposure. Experimental models show that specific treatments targeting these pathways can slow cancer growth and improve prognosis for CCA patients
Researchers identified genetic variants that predict response to treatment for preterm birth, a condition affecting one in 10 infants. High levels of mutations in certain genes are associated with lower response rates, suggesting a precision framework for future drug development.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used DNA origami to activate the Notch receptor in a new way, revealing it can be activated 'on demand' with the help of a protein called Jag1. The study opens new avenues for understanding the Notch signalling pathway and its role in serious diseases like cancer and Alagille Syndrome.
Researchers used 'mini-placentas' to understand how the placenta interacts with the uterus, which is critical for fetal growth and development. The study identified key proteins involved in successful implantation and found clues on how pre-eclampsia occurs.
Researchers found that bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion in children within 48 hours of severe traumatic brain injury reduced intensive care needs and preserved white matter. The treatment also enhanced connectivity in the corpus callosum, a midline structure in the brain.
Researchers mapped dental pulp and periodontal ligament stem cells' genomes, revealing significant differences in their differentiation potential. The study identifies the genetic composition and mechanisms of differentiation, paving the way for targeted regenerative therapies.
Researchers discovered that PDS5A modifies DNA loops without affecting histone modifications, enabling the study of loop-mediated gene silencing. The loss of PDS5A disrupted genome organization, leading to aberrant gene activation and potentially driving diseases like cancer and developmental disorders.
A recent study reveals that a significant proportion of human pluripotent stem cell samples possess cancer-related mutations acquired during culture propagation. These mutations impact cell growth and differentiation, emphasizing the importance of regular evaluations in research and clinical applications.
A recent study reveals that the tethering of mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum plays a crucial role in muscle development, regeneration, and maintenance. The researchers propose targeting the Notch signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic option for muscle atrophy caused by mitochondrial abnormalities.
A UC Riverside research project will focus on changes in the gene network that specify early intestinal precursor cells in nematodes like Pristionchus pacificus. Gene networks describe how genes turn each other on and off, and changes in these networks can lead to diseases such as cancer.
Researchers have successfully genetically modified pluripotent stem cells to evade immune recognition, offering a viable path forward for pluripotent stem cell-based therapies. The study's findings suggest that these engineered stem cells could pave the way for new treatments for diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and macular degeneration.
Researchers have discovered how pioneer transcription factors, such as FOXA and OCT4, coordinate with epigenetic repressors to safeguard cell fate, enabling precise manipulation of cell fate in cellular programming and reprogramming. This breakthrough has important implications for scaling up organoid and tissue engineering technology.
MIT researchers have developed a new method to track cell differentiation and study long-term processes like cancer progression or embryonic development. They used noninvasive Raman spectroscopy to monitor embryonic stem cells as they differentiated into multiple cell types over several days.
Researchers found that ASCOT reverses some age-related protein expression changes, enriching processes related to the complement cascade and immune system in patients with poor ovarian response. In contrast, patients with premature ovarian insufficiency showed enrichment in responses to oxygen-containing compounds and growth hormones.
A new study reveals that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can infect nerve cells, trigger inflammation, and cause nerve damage. RSV was previously thought to only infect the respiratory tract, but this finding suggests a potential link between the virus and neurological symptoms in children.
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and their French partners receive funding for two distinctive biology projects through the ANR-DFG program. The EVOMET project investigates plant metabolism, while the NeuroDevFunc project explores how fruit flies process visual motion generated by self-movement.
Researchers studied cellular functions in medulloblastoma to understand its genetic causes and develop targeted therapies. The study identified essential microproteins that play a crucial role in the survival of cancer cells.
Scientists at the University of Bath have found that the gene Angiogenin plays an important role in the development of nerve cells. In its mutated form, it causes stem cells to persist in their original state longer than they should, resulting in neurodevelopmental defects.
Researchers found that specific microbes in the gut reduce graft versus host disease after stem cell transplantation. Patients with low microbial metabolite risk index had better survival rates, fewer graft vs. host reactions, and reduced relapses.
A novel human brain organoid model generates all major cell types of the cerebellum, including functional Purkinje neurons. This breakthrough provides a new way to explore cerebellar development and disorders, advancing therapeutic interventions.
A new study by University of California Riverside researchers found that high-fat diets affect not only obesity and colon cancer but also the immune system, brain function, and potentially COVID-19 risk. The study, which analyzed genetic changes in mice fed different types of fat, showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil ...
Cancer stem cell-derived exosomes (CSC-Exos) are essential for communication between CSCs and other cells in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to cancer progression. The editorial highlights their potential as a novel clinical tool for diagnosis, prognosis, prevention of tumor recurrence, and therapeutic strategy
A drug screening system modeling cancers with lab-grown tissues called organoids helped uncover a promising target for future pancreatic cancer treatments. Researchers identified an existing heart drug, perhexiline maleate, that powerfully suppresses the growth of pancreatic tumor organoids.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new relationship between DNA replication timing and cellular plasticity, allowing for the potential reprogramming of cells. The study found that the three-dimensional structure of the genome influences the flexibility of the replication timing program.
Scientists have created a self-organizing neuromuscular junction model from human pluripotent stem cells to study complex neuromuscular diseases. The 2D and 3D cultures mimic the physiological situation, allowing researchers to perform high-throughput drug screening for novel treatments.
Scientists have identified a population of progenitor cells that strongly promote new blood vessel growth in ischemic limbs, showing promise as a treatment for preventing amputations. The discovery was made through single-cell transcriptomics and confirmed in mice with limb ischemia, where the treatment rescued limbs from amputation.
Researchers have developed a stem cell-derived model of heart tissue that provides insight into tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats out of control. The engineered tissues were used to study how fast heart rates affect the heart and uncover the inner workings of the body's engine.
A microbial sensor, Nod1, plays a crucial role in the development of blood stem cells. The discovery could lead to the creation of patient-derived blood stem cells, eliminating the need for bone marrow transplants and improving lives of leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia patients. Researchers are continuing to study the complex interaction...
Researchers have discovered that immune cells play a crucial role in directing the growth of human lung tissue during development, revolutionizing our understanding of early lung development. The findings also suggest that early immune disturbances could manifest as pediatric lung disease.
Scientists have successfully grown neurons from stem cells that can repair damaged brain tissue after stroke, offering new hope for treatments. The technology also holds promise for studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injury.
A recent study found that human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes interact negatively with myofibroblasts, leading to electrical instability and arrhythmogenic potential. Blocking Interleukin-6 signalling reduced these negative effects, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for safe regenerative treatments.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel embryo-like model, heX-Embryoid, which replicates key features of early human development, including blood cell generation. The model has been shown to produce structures similar to blood islands and detect progenitors of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.
Researchers have mapped the lineage of neural stem cells in the superior colliculus, revealing an exceptional capacity to generate different types of neurons. The study also found that neural stem cells retain their ability to produce any type of neuron until the end of development.
A clinical trial found that stem cell-based therapy reduced daily hardship and improved physical and emotional health in patients with advanced heart failure. Patients who received the treatment had lower death and hospitalization rates compared to those on standard care.
Researchers have identified the genetic defect causing infantile cystinosis, a rare disease that shortens lifespan, and developed a protocol to differentiate stem cells into healthy kidney cells. The study suggests using CRISPR genome editing to repair the defective gene and potentially cure the disease.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified Cav2.3, a calcium channel, as a potential treatment target for CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a genetic form of epilepsy that affects early childhood development. The study suggests that inhibiting Cav2.3 could help alleviate symptoms like seizures.
Researchers identified 26 'driver genes' that play a pivotal role in the transition to stomach cancer, providing a critical window for early detection and targeted prevention. The study's findings offer new insights into the mechanisms governing the transformation of intestinal metaplasia into stomach cancer.
A new stem cell treatment using mRNA technology from COVID-19 vaccines has shown promise in regenerating liver tissue, potentially reversing chronic and acute liver diseases. The treatment stimulates the natural repair mechanism of the liver by activating specific receptors on stem cells.
Scientists unveiled a spatial cell atlas of the entire developing human limb, capturing intricate processes governing rapid development. The study uncovers new links between developmental cells and congenital limb syndromes, such as short fingers and extra digits.
A new publication in Nature Communications has developed a method to produce high-purity dopamine cells from human stem cells, offering a potential therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's disease. The research aims to reduce recovery time and minimize the risk of relapse and medication use.
Two studies led by UCLA researchers reveal how cancer cells use energy to survive and grow, shedding light on why some prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy. The findings highlight the importance of considering cell metabolism in developing new cancer treatments, particularly those targeting the androgen receptor.
Researchers at ADA Forsyth have discovered the regenerative properties of Resolvins, specifically RvE1, which promotes pulp regeneration and reduces bacterial invasion in dental pulp. The technology has far-reaching potential for regenerative medicine beyond oral health, including growing bones in other parts of the body.
Scientists at University of Toronto and Sinai Health created transplants with genetic modification, persisting long-term in mice without immune suppression. This breakthrough may transform cell therapies for incurable diseases, making transplantation safer and more widely available.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers identified three novel genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism. The genes' variants affecting splicing resulted in symptoms such as hypotonia, seizures, and social deficits.
Researchers create a new, multi-chamber organoid model of the human heart, enabling them to advance screening platforms for drug development, toxicology studies, and understanding heart development. The model reveals intricate communication between chambers and provides insight into early heart development.
A new clinical trial has shown that a stem cell-based device can reduce the amount of insulin required for some participants with Type 1 diabetes. The device, developed by ViaCyte, aims to replace the insulin-producing beta cells that people with the condition lack.
Researchers have developed a new method, SECRE, to identify genetic regulators of cytokine secretion in autoimmune diseases. The technique has been validated on cells known to play a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and shows promising results for treating conditions with few therapeutic options.
Researchers at PSI and ETH Zurich successfully transplanted mechanically reprogrammed fibroblasts into a model of old, damaged skin tissue, revealing that the tissue can be rejuvenated and injuries heal faster. The technique uses spatially confined conditions to erase functional errors accumulated by aged cells during the aging process.