Biology News Net - Stem Cell Research

In some genetic cases of microcephaly, stem cells fail to launch

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 19:26:46 -0500

In a very severe, genetic form of microcephaly, stem cells in the brain fail to divide, according to a new Columbia University Medical Center study that may provide important clues to understanding how the Zika virus affects the developing brain.

Embryonic gene Nanog reverses aging in adult stem cells

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:09:05 -0500

The images above show, from left to right, functioning stem cells, stem cells no longer functioning due to Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS), and stem cells previously not functioning The fountain of youth may reside in an embryonic stem cell gene named Nanog.

Gene controls regeneration of injured muscle by adult stem cells

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:12:06 -0500

A key gene enables the repair of injured muscle throughout life. This is the finding of a study in mice led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and the University of Colorado at Boulder, and published online July 21 in Cell Reports.

Breakthrough in scaling up life-changing stem cell production

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 17:56:00 -0500

Scientists have discovered a new method of creating human stem cells which could solve the big problem of the large-scale production needed to fully realise the potential of these remarkable cells for understanding and treating disease.

New procedure allows long-term culturing of adult stem cells

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 16:49:00 -0500

A new procedure developed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) may revolutionize the culturing of adult stem cells. In their report that has been published online prior to its appearance in the August 6 issue of Cell Stem Cell, the team describes generating and expanding airway stem cells from the sorts of tissue samples collected during routine treatment of lung disorders. The overall approach appears applicable to several other tissue types, including skin and the linings of the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts.

Stem cell transplant from young to old can heal stomach ulcers

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 16:49:00 -0500

Bethesda, MD (June 16, 2016) -- Basic and translational research paves the way for breakthroughs that can ultimately change patient care. Three new studies from Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH) -- AGA's basic and translational open-access journal -- provide a glimpse into future treatment strategies for stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and alcoholic liver disease. Please find summaries below. To speak with the journal authors, please email media@gastro.org.

Scientists discover oldest plant root stem cells

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 18:38:41 -0500

Scientists at Oxford University have discovered the oldest known population of plant root stem cells in a 320 million-year-old fossil.

Penn bioengineers show why lab-made stem cells might fail: Errors in DNA folding

Tue, 10 May 2016 16:17:12 -0500

Induced pluripotent stem cells hold promise for regenerative medicine because they can, in theory, turn into any type of tissue and because they are made from a patient's own adult cells, guaranteeing compatibility. However, the technique that turns adult cells into these iPS cells is not foolproof; after reverting to their pluripotent state, these cells don't always correctly differentiate back into adult cells.

Stem cell therapy improves outcomes in severe heart failure

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 19:41:22 -0500

A new stem cell therapy significantly improved long-term health outcomes in patients with severe and end-stage heart failure in a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.

A quartet of genes controls growth of blood stem cells

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 20:05:37 -0500

The authors investigated the effects of 15,000 genes on the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of the human blood stem cell (blue box). An important element in getting blood stem cells to multiply outside the body is to understand which of the approximately 20 000 genes in the human body control their growth. A research team at Lund University in Sweden has studied close to 15 000 of these genes alongside each other. The researchers have succeeded in identifying four key genes which, together, govern the growth and multiplication of the stem cells. The study is now being published in the journal Cell Reports.