Source: Northwestern University
Posted: July 30, 2006
Summary:
A Northwestern University research group has discovered that aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, a protein that is critical to proper embryo formation. The researchers injected aggressive melanoma cells into developing zebrafish embryosand were able to induce ectopic (abnormal) embryonic skull and backbone (axes) formation.
They also found that blocking Nodal signaling reduced melanoma cell invasiveness, as well as cancer cell colony formation and tumor-forming ability. Strikingly, nodal inhibition promoted the reversion of these cells toward a normal skin cell type. Like embryonic stem cells, malignant tumor cells similarly receive and send molecular cues during development that promote tumor growth and metastasis, or cancer spread.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will have medical applications not only for stem cell research and regenerative medicine in regenerating or repairing damaged limbs tissues and organs, but for cancer research and treatment as well.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Malignant melanoma cells secrete protein required for embryo formation
Source: Northwestern University
Posted: July 30, 2006
Summary:
A Northwestern University research group has discovered that aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, a protein that is critical to proper embryo formation. The researchers injected aggressive melanoma cells into developing zebrafish embryosand were able to induce ectopic (abnormal) embryonic skull and backbone (axes) formation.
They also found that blocking Nodal signaling reduced melanoma cell invasiveness, as well as cancer cell colony formation and tumor-forming ability. Strikingly, nodal inhibition promoted the reversion of these cells toward a normal skin cell type. Like embryonic stem cells, malignant tumor cells similarly receive and send molecular cues during development that promote tumor growth and metastasis, or cancer spread.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will have medical applications not only for stem cell research and regenerative medicine in regenerating or repairing damaged limbs tissues and organs, but for cancer research and treatment as well.
Posted: July 30, 2006
Summary:
A Northwestern University research group has discovered that aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, a protein that is critical to proper embryo formation. The researchers injected aggressive melanoma cells into developing zebrafish embryosand were able to induce ectopic (abnormal) embryonic skull and backbone (axes) formation.
They also found that blocking Nodal signaling reduced melanoma cell invasiveness, as well as cancer cell colony formation and tumor-forming ability. Strikingly, nodal inhibition promoted the reversion of these cells toward a normal skin cell type. Like embryonic stem cells, malignant tumor cells similarly receive and send molecular cues during development that promote tumor growth and metastasis, or cancer spread.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will have medical applications not only for stem cell research and regenerative medicine in regenerating or repairing damaged limbs tissues and organs, but for cancer research and treatment as well.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
New Genetic Model For Parkinson's Disease
Source: Karolinska Institutet
Posted: July 29, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
Posted: July 29, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
Study identifies potential drug target for Huntington's disease: Blocking enzyme action could protect against energy depletion in several disorders
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted: July 28, 2006
An enzyme known to be critical for the repair of damaged cells and the maintenance of cellular energy may be a useful target for new strategies to treat Huntington's disease (HD) and other disorders characterized by low cellular energy levels. In the August issue of Chemistry & Biology, a research team from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) describes their discovery of a novel inhibitor of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP1) and their findings that PARP1 inhibitors can protect HD-affected cells from damage in laboratory assays.
Commentary: Hopefully this enzyme can be translated into effective therapeutic applications for treatment of Huntington's Diseases, and also be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
Posted: July 28, 2006
An enzyme known to be critical for the repair of damaged cells and the maintenance of cellular energy may be a useful target for new strategies to treat Huntington's disease (HD) and other disorders characterized by low cellular energy levels. In the August issue of Chemistry & Biology, a research team from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) describes their discovery of a novel inhibitor of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP1) and their findings that PARP1 inhibitors can protect HD-affected cells from damage in laboratory assays.
Commentary: Hopefully this enzyme can be translated into effective therapeutic applications for treatment of Huntington's Diseases, and also be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
Study identifies potential drug target for Huntington's disease
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
An enzyme known to be critical for the repair of damaged cells and the maintenance of cellular energy may be a useful target for new strategies to treat Huntington's disease (HD) and other disorders characterized by low cellular energy levels. In the August issue of Chemistry & Biology, a research team from the Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) describes their discovery of a novel inhibitor of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP1) and their findings that PARP1 inhibitors can protect HD-affected cells from damage in laboratory assays.
Commentary: Hopefully this enzyme can be translated into effective therapeutic applications for treatment of Huntington's Diseases, and also be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
An enzyme known to be critical for the repair of damaged cells and the maintenance of cellular energy may be a useful target for new strategies to treat Huntington's disease (HD) and other disorders characterized by low cellular energy levels. In the August issue of Chemistry & Biology, a research team from the Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) describes their discovery of a novel inhibitor of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP1) and their findings that PARP1 inhibitors can protect HD-affected cells from damage in laboratory assays.
Commentary: Hopefully this enzyme can be translated into effective therapeutic applications for treatment of Huntington's Diseases, and also be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.
New Genetic Model for Parkinson's Disease
Source: Karolinska Institutet
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
New genetic model for Parkinson's disease
Source: Karolinska Institutet
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
Researchers are discovering mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. They have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria, thought to be one cause of disease, in a mouse model of the diseasese. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: This finding seems as if it might provide a basis for research to eventually enable nerve cells to produce dopamine and effectively treat Parkinson's disease.
Singapore Company Reports Stem Cell Progress
Source: E-Commerce Times
Posted: July 28, 2006 5:27 PM PT
Summary:
ES Cell International (ESI), a Singapore biotech company, announced that it has produced and stored four new clinically compliant human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, and that another four lines should be stored within the next four to five weeks. The development is expected to facilitate laboratory research while allowing researchers the option of later securing clinically compliant versions of exactly the same cell lines they are using for research.
Commentary: Hopefully this advancement will accelerate the pace of research and rate of discovery in the field of stem cell research and hasten the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and medical conditions.
Posted: July 28, 2006 5:27 PM PT
Summary:
ES Cell International (ESI), a Singapore biotech company, announced that it has produced and stored four new clinically compliant human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, and that another four lines should be stored within the next four to five weeks. The development is expected to facilitate laboratory research while allowing researchers the option of later securing clinically compliant versions of exactly the same cell lines they are using for research.
Commentary: Hopefully this advancement will accelerate the pace of research and rate of discovery in the field of stem cell research and hasten the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and medical conditions.
Drug Triggers Body's Mechanism To Reverse Aging Effect On Memory Process
Source: University of California - Irvine
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
A drug made to enhance memory appears to trigger a natural mechanism in the brain that fully reverses age-related memory loss, even after the drug itself has left the body, according to researchers at UC Irvine.
Commentary: Hopefully this drug will be effective in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining cognitive fuction in a diverse population of patients for extended periods of time.
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
A drug made to enhance memory appears to trigger a natural mechanism in the brain that fully reverses age-related memory loss, even after the drug itself has left the body, according to researchers at UC Irvine.
Commentary: Hopefully this drug will be effective in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining cognitive fuction in a diverse population of patients for extended periods of time.
Friday, July 28, 2006
6 Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Made. Singapore Biotech Firm Says It Made 6 Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research
Source: Associated Press via Yahoo! News
Posted: July 28, 2006 1:07 pm ET
Summary:
(AP) -- A Singapore biotech company-ES Cell International-announced it has produced and stored six new human embryonic stem cell lines suitable for use in clinical trials and expects to store another two in the next five weeks.
Alan Colman, chief executive of ES Cell International, said the company is the first to create human embryonic stem cells (hESC) under the strict standards imposed for clinical use in humans, and that the lines will be available to researchers worldwide by the end of the year.
Commentary: Hopefully this announcement will accelerate the pace of embryonic stem cell research and eventually lead to the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and other medical conditions.
Posted: July 28, 2006 1:07 pm ET
Summary:
(AP) -- A Singapore biotech company-ES Cell International-announced it has produced and stored six new human embryonic stem cell lines suitable for use in clinical trials and expects to store another two in the next five weeks.
Alan Colman, chief executive of ES Cell International, said the company is the first to create human embryonic stem cells (hESC) under the strict standards imposed for clinical use in humans, and that the lines will be available to researchers worldwide by the end of the year.
Commentary: Hopefully this announcement will accelerate the pace of embryonic stem cell research and eventually lead to the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and other medical conditions.
Singapore biotech firm says it has created 6 human embryonic stem cell lines for research
Source: Associated Press
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
A Singapore biotech company-ES Cell International-announced it has produced and stored six new human embryonic stem cell lines suitable for use in clinical trials and expects to store another two in the next five weeks.
Alan Colman, chief executive of ES Cell International, said the company is the first to create human embryonic stem cells (hESC) under the strict standards imposed for clinical use in humans, and that the lines will be available to researchers worldwide by the end of the year.
Commentary: Hopefully this announcement will accelerate the pace of embryonic stem cell research and eventually lead to the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and other medical conditions.
Posted: July 28, 2006
Summary:
A Singapore biotech company-ES Cell International-announced it has produced and stored six new human embryonic stem cell lines suitable for use in clinical trials and expects to store another two in the next five weeks.
Alan Colman, chief executive of ES Cell International, said the company is the first to create human embryonic stem cells (hESC) under the strict standards imposed for clinical use in humans, and that the lines will be available to researchers worldwide by the end of the year.
Commentary: Hopefully this announcement will accelerate the pace of embryonic stem cell research and eventually lead to the development of new treatments for diseases, injuries and other medical conditions.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Critical Discovery Brings Toronto-based Researchers Closer To Creating Tailored T Cell Therapy For AIDS Patients
Source: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have made an important finding in T cell development bringing immunologists one step closer to enabling the creation of tailored T cell therapy that could one day be used to treat patients with AIDS or other immune system deficiencies.
For the first time, researchers understand which groups of molecules are required to produce various types of T cells. The findings show that T cell pre-cursor cells will grow into different types of mature T cells despite the absence of the Notch molecule, a molecule that the researchers recently showed was essential for the early-stage development of both types of T cells.
The work clarifies how both T cell types can be generated in the laboratory, thereby enabling further study directed at tailoring their unique functions to specific clinical needs. The breakthrough also established a simple and effective way for other researchers to study T cell development.
Commentary: This research seems to provide scientists with new insights and understanding into how to translate T cells into genetically matched, patient-specific cells that could be used to treat immunological diseases and conditions, and may yield signfical progress in immune dieasease research.
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have made an important finding in T cell development bringing immunologists one step closer to enabling the creation of tailored T cell therapy that could one day be used to treat patients with AIDS or other immune system deficiencies.
For the first time, researchers understand which groups of molecules are required to produce various types of T cells. The findings show that T cell pre-cursor cells will grow into different types of mature T cells despite the absence of the Notch molecule, a molecule that the researchers recently showed was essential for the early-stage development of both types of T cells.
The work clarifies how both T cell types can be generated in the laboratory, thereby enabling further study directed at tailoring their unique functions to specific clinical needs. The breakthrough also established a simple and effective way for other researchers to study T cell development.
Commentary: This research seems to provide scientists with new insights and understanding into how to translate T cells into genetically matched, patient-specific cells that could be used to treat immunological diseases and conditions, and may yield signfical progress in immune dieasease research.
Clinical-use stem cells made in Singapore: Lines designed for safe use in humans make their debut.
Source: Nature
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Four embryonic stem-cell lines, which have been made from scratch specifically for clinical use, make their debut this week. The lines are free of contaminatants and safe to be used in human patients.
Commentary: Maybe this will lead to new clinical trials of human embryonic stem cell therapies to treat diseases, illnesses and injuries and will avoid immune rejection risks for patients since they are free of contamination
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Four embryonic stem-cell lines, which have been made from scratch specifically for clinical use, make their debut this week. The lines are free of contaminatants and safe to be used in human patients.
Commentary: Maybe this will lead to new clinical trials of human embryonic stem cell therapies to treat diseases, illnesses and injuries and will avoid immune rejection risks for patients since they are free of contamination
Promising Therapy For ALS Delivers Antisense Drug Directly To Nervous System
Source: University of California - San Diego
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have created and tested a molecular therapy in animals that they hope will be a significant advancement in the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. The study shows that therapeutic molecules known as antisense oligonucleotides can be delivered to the brain and spinal cord through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at doses shown to slow the progression of ALS in rats.
Hopefully this therapy can eventually be translated into an effective human treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as other neuro-muscular diseases in humans.
Posted: July 27, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have created and tested a molecular therapy in animals that they hope will be a significant advancement in the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. The study shows that therapeutic molecules known as antisense oligonucleotides can be delivered to the brain and spinal cord through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at doses shown to slow the progression of ALS in rats.
Hopefully this therapy can eventually be translated into an effective human treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as other neuro-muscular diseases in humans.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Potential Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted: July 22 2006 08:49:12
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Posted: July 22 2006 08:49:12
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Israeli Firm Advances Patent Application For Possible Stem Cell-Based Parkinson’s Treatment
Source: BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics via Stem Cell Business News
Posted: Monday, July 24, 2006
Tel Aviv, Israel-based BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) said on July 11 it has advanced its patent application from a provisional to an international patent application for a new procedure to derive “neuronal-supporting cells” from adult bone marrow with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The patent protects a procedure for inducing bone marrow stem cells to differentiate into astrocytes, which are brain cells that naturally support neurons in the brain.
Posted: Monday, July 24, 2006
Tel Aviv, Israel-based BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) said on July 11 it has advanced its patent application from a provisional to an international patent application for a new procedure to derive “neuronal-supporting cells” from adult bone marrow with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The patent protects a procedure for inducing bone marrow stem cells to differentiate into astrocytes, which are brain cells that naturally support neurons in the brain.
Potential Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells Found By Mass. General Study
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted July 25, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Posted July 25, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Researchers Transform Stem Cells Found In Human Fat Into Smooth Muscle Cells
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: July 25, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Posted: July 25, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Exploring Many Paths for Parkinson’s Disease Treatments
Source: University of California - San Francisco
Posted July 24, 2006
This is a news release that examines different therapeutic approaches to treat Parkinson's Disease, including using stem cells. Hopefully these approaches will eventually produce effective treatments for the disease and lead to improved function and quality of life for Parkinson's Disease patients.
Posted July 24, 2006
This is a news release that examines different therapeutic approaches to treat Parkinson's Disease, including using stem cells. Hopefully these approaches will eventually produce effective treatments for the disease and lead to improved function and quality of life for Parkinson's Disease patients.
Fat stem cells turn into muscle in US experiment
Source: Reuters via MSNBC News
Posted: July 24, 2006 5:04 PM ET
Summary:
Researchers announced they have transformed cells from human fat into smooth muscle cells. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for heart disease, gastrointestinal and bladder conditions. While the experiment does not quite offer a way to turn a pot belly into a flat stomach, the researchers said the transformed cells contracted and relaxed just like smooth muscle cells. These cells help the heart beat and blood flow, push food through the digestive system and make bladders fill and empty, the researchers reported.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will provide researchers with new insights into how to treat muscular diseases and conditions.
Posted: July 24, 2006 5:04 PM ET
Summary:
Researchers announced they have transformed cells from human fat into smooth muscle cells. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for heart disease, gastrointestinal and bladder conditions. While the experiment does not quite offer a way to turn a pot belly into a flat stomach, the researchers said the transformed cells contracted and relaxed just like smooth muscle cells. These cells help the heart beat and blood flow, push food through the digestive system and make bladders fill and empty, the researchers reported.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will provide researchers with new insights into how to treat muscular diseases and conditions.
UCLA researchers transform stem cells found in human fat into smooth muscle cells
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Researchers transform stem cells found in human fat into smooth muscle cells
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will produce clinical applications to treat muscle injury and effective treatments for neuro-muscular diseases.
Fat stem cells turn into muscle in US experiment
Source: Reuters
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers announced they have transformed cells from human fat into smooth muscle cells. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for heart disease, gastrointestinal and bladder conditions. While the experiment does not quite offer a way to turn a pot belly into a flat stomach, the researchers said the transformed cells contracted and relaxed just like smooth muscle cells. These cells help the heart beat and blood flow, push food through the digestive system and make bladders fill and empty, the researchers reported.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will provide researchers with new insights into how to treat muscular diseases and conditions.
Posted: July 24, 2006
Summary:
Researchers announced they have transformed cells from human fat into smooth muscle cells. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for heart disease, gastrointestinal and bladder conditions. While the experiment does not quite offer a way to turn a pot belly into a flat stomach, the researchers said the transformed cells contracted and relaxed just like smooth muscle cells. These cells help the heart beat and blood flow, push food through the digestive system and make bladders fill and empty, the researchers reported.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will provide researchers with new insights into how to treat muscular diseases and conditions.
Mass. General study finds potential ovarian cancer stem cells
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have found possible ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be a reason why it is difficult to treat these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death. The report will appear in the July 25 Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and has received early online release.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding can be translated into effective ovarian cancer treatments.
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have found possible ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be a reason why it is difficult to treat these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death. The report will appear in the July 25 Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and has received early online release.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding can be translated into effective ovarian cancer treatments.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Research Confirms Ability Of Stem Cells To Repair Acute Spinal Cord Damage Without Causing Further Injury
Source: University of California - Irvine
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Commentary: This research may provide scientists with new strategies to safely treat spinal cord injuries in humans in the future.
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Commentary: This research may provide scientists with new strategies to safely treat spinal cord injuries in humans in the future.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Researchers Identify Very First Neurons In The 'Thinking' Brain
Source: Yale University
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered the very first neurons in what develops into the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes humans human. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience show that the first neurons, or “predecessors,” as the researchers called them, are in place 31 days after fertilization. This is much earlier than previously thought and well before development of arms, legs or eyes.
The new insights into the formation of the cerebral cortext may provide a better understanding of developmental disorders of higher brain function, such as autism, schizophrenia, childhood epilepsy, developmental dyslexia and mental retardation. It also may explain how the human brain developed differently from that of other species.
Commentary: Maybe these neurons can be coaxed in to successful therapeutic applications to treat human neurological and developmental disoders and improve patients' mental and physical functioning and overall quality of life.
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered the very first neurons in what develops into the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes humans human. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience show that the first neurons, or “predecessors,” as the researchers called them, are in place 31 days after fertilization. This is much earlier than previously thought and well before development of arms, legs or eyes.
The new insights into the formation of the cerebral cortext may provide a better understanding of developmental disorders of higher brain function, such as autism, schizophrenia, childhood epilepsy, developmental dyslexia and mental retardation. It also may explain how the human brain developed differently from that of other species.
Commentary: Maybe these neurons can be coaxed in to successful therapeutic applications to treat human neurological and developmental disoders and improve patients' mental and physical functioning and overall quality of life.
Study Establishes Safety Of Spinal Cord Stem Cell Transplantation
Source: University of California - Irvine
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Commentary: This research may provide scientists with new strategies to safely treat spinal cord injuries in humans in the future.
Posted: July 22, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Commentary: This research may provide scientists with new strategies to safely treat spinal cord injuries in humans in the future.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Stem Cell Legislation Could Alter Science Forever
Source: HealthDay News
Posted: July 20, 2006
This article points out the crushing effect of President Bush's veto of stem cell legislation. This veto has severe implications for the future of stem cell science as well as research funding. Even though it will take time for human stem cell therapies to reach a multitude of patients due to FDA approval and the natural rate of discovery, without adequate funding and support of the federal government, stem cell treatments will be further delayed, and take EVEN MORE TIME to be realized, further prologing the suffering, and perhaps causing death, of patients afflicted with diseases and other medical conditions (myself included)!
Posted: July 20, 2006
This article points out the crushing effect of President Bush's veto of stem cell legislation. This veto has severe implications for the future of stem cell science as well as research funding. Even though it will take time for human stem cell therapies to reach a multitude of patients due to FDA approval and the natural rate of discovery, without adequate funding and support of the federal government, stem cell treatments will be further delayed, and take EVEN MORE TIME to be realized, further prologing the suffering, and perhaps causing death, of patients afflicted with diseases and other medical conditions (myself included)!
Potential Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells Found -- Cells May Underlie Tumor Recurrence And Resistance
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Scientists Discover Key to Growing New Stem Cells
Source: Duke University Medical Center
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated they can grow human stem cells in the laboratory by blocking an enzyme that naturally triggers stem cells to mature and differentiate into specialized cells, and successfully increased the number of stem cells by 3.4 fold. More importantly, they demonstrated the new stem cells were capable of fully rebuilding the blood-forming and immune systems of immune-deficient mice.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually be translated into human treatments not only for blood and immune diseases, but also for other injuries and medical conditions.
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated they can grow human stem cells in the laboratory by blocking an enzyme that naturally triggers stem cells to mature and differentiate into specialized cells, and successfully increased the number of stem cells by 3.4 fold. More importantly, they demonstrated the new stem cells were capable of fully rebuilding the blood-forming and immune systems of immune-deficient mice.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually be translated into human treatments not only for blood and immune diseases, but also for other injuries and medical conditions.
Scientists Discover Key to Growing New Stem Cells
Source: Duke University Medical Center
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated they can grow human stem cells in the laboratory by blocking an enzyme that naturally triggers stem cells to mature and differentiate into specialized cells, and successfully increased the number of stem cells by 3.4 fold. More importantly, they demonstrated the new stem cells were capable of fully rebuilding the blood-forming and immune systems of immune-deficient mice.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually be translated into human treatments not only for blood and immune diseases, but also for other injuries and medical conditions.
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated they can grow human stem cells in the laboratory by blocking an enzyme that naturally triggers stem cells to mature and differentiate into specialized cells, and successfully increased the number of stem cells by 3.4 fold. More importantly, they demonstrated the new stem cells were capable of fully rebuilding the blood-forming and immune systems of immune-deficient mice.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually be translated into human treatments not only for blood and immune diseases, but also for other injuries and medical conditions.
Mass. General study finds potential ovarian cancer stem cells. Cells may underlie tumor recurrence and resistance, suggest new treatment approaches
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
Posted July 21, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have identified potential ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be behind the difficulty of treating these tumors with standard chemotherapy. Understanding more about the stem-like characteristics of these cells could lead to new approaches to treating ovarian cancer, which kills more than 16,000 U.S. women annually and is their fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Commentary: If these newly-discovered cancerous stem cells can be turned off or destroyed, maybe it will enable the development of effective treatments for ovarian as well as other forms of cancer.
SACRAMENTO / Governor OKs stem cell research funds. Schwarzenegger authorizes loans for $150 million
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger authorized $150 million in loans to the state's stem cell agency one day after President Bush vetoed legislation that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Commentary: Hopefully this newly-allocated money will spur new research into human diseases and yield siginificant progress in the development of effective treatments.
Posted: July 21, 2006
Summary:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger authorized $150 million in loans to the state's stem cell agency one day after President Bush vetoed legislation that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Commentary: Hopefully this newly-allocated money will spur new research into human diseases and yield siginificant progress in the development of effective treatments.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Leukemia Stem Cells In A Model Of Human Leukemia Isolated By Scientists
Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Posted: July 20, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 20, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Studies back up U of L stem-cell findings: Work could alter national debate
Source: The Courier-Journal
Posted: July 20, 2006
Summary:
Scientists around the world are confirming a breakthrough by University of Louisville researchers that promises to radically alter the national stem-cell debate and provide treatments for conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The researchers coaxed stem cells from adult mice to change into brain, heart, nerve and pancreatic cells -- mimicking embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will enable scientists to avoid the has ethical controversy that has surrounded the field of embryoinc stem cell research, and accelerate the development of effective stem cell treatments for human diseases and medical conditions.
Posted: July 20, 2006
Summary:
Scientists around the world are confirming a breakthrough by University of Louisville researchers that promises to radically alter the national stem-cell debate and provide treatments for conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The researchers coaxed stem cells from adult mice to change into brain, heart, nerve and pancreatic cells -- mimicking embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will enable scientists to avoid the has ethical controversy that has surrounded the field of embryoinc stem cell research, and accelerate the development of effective stem cell treatments for human diseases and medical conditions.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
GERON ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF STUDY RESULTS SUPPORTING SAFETY AND UTILITY OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL-DERIVED THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT FOR TREATMENT OF S
Source: Geron Corporation
Date: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Geron Corporation, a leading biotechnology company in the field of stem cell research, has published the results of a study descrbiing its lead human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapeutic product, GRNOPC1, for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Rats that received either very mild or moderate spinal cord injuries were injected with the product. survived in both the mild and moderate lesion sites, with a broader distribution of transplanted cells and robust re-growth of myelin sheath, the coating that insulates nerve cells, in the more severe injuries, replicating previous studies.
Date: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Geron Corporation, a leading biotechnology company in the field of stem cell research, has published the results of a study descrbiing its lead human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapeutic product, GRNOPC1, for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Rats that received either very mild or moderate spinal cord injuries were injected with the product. survived in both the mild and moderate lesion sites, with a broader distribution of transplanted cells and robust re-growth of myelin sheath, the coating that insulates nerve cells, in the more severe injuries, replicating previous studies.
Study Establishes Safety Of Spinal Cord Stem Cell Transplantation
Source: University of California - Irvine
Posted: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Posted: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Study establishes safety of spinal cord stem cell transplantation
Source: University of California - Irvine
Posted: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Posted: July 19, 2006
Summary:
Transplanting human embryonic stem cells does not cause harm and can be used as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. A recent study by UC Irvine researchers found that rats with either mild or severe spinal cord injuries that were transplanted with a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells suffered no visible injury or ill effects as a result of the treatment itself. Furthermore, the study confirmed previous findings by the Irvine researchers– since replicated by four other laboratories around the world – that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves the outcome after spinal cord injury in rodents.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Discovery Of Agile Molecular Motors Could Aid In Treating Motor Neuron Diseases
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 18, 2006
Summary:
Researchers having pubished findings showinng proteins that function as molecular motors are surprisingly flexible and agile, able to navigate obstacles within the cell. These observations could lead to better ways to treat motor neuron diseases, progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control voluntary muscles.
Commentary: Hopefully these proteins can be transformed into effective therapies to treat, and possibly cure, motor neuron and other degenerative diseases.
Posted: July 18, 2006
Summary:
Researchers having pubished findings showinng proteins that function as molecular motors are surprisingly flexible and agile, able to navigate obstacles within the cell. These observations could lead to better ways to treat motor neuron diseases, progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control voluntary muscles.
Commentary: Hopefully these proteins can be transformed into effective therapies to treat, and possibly cure, motor neuron and other degenerative diseases.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Scientists coax nerve fibers to regrow after spinal cord injury
Source: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
In tests on rats, researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan have developed a treatment that helps spinal cord nerves regrow after injury. The study has implications for treating people who may face amputation of an arm after a violent injury in which nerves are wrenched from the spinal cord. The new treatment currently is under study for other types of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will provide researchers with new strategies about how they might use stem cells to regenerate spinal cord nerves in patients with spinal cord injuries. Maybe these results will also be able to be applied to stroke, Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
In tests on rats, researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan have developed a treatment that helps spinal cord nerves regrow after injury. The study has implications for treating people who may face amputation of an arm after a violent injury in which nerves are wrenched from the spinal cord. The new treatment currently is under study for other types of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will provide researchers with new strategies about how they might use stem cells to regenerate spinal cord nerves in patients with spinal cord injuries. Maybe these results will also be able to be applied to stroke, Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions.
Human stem cells can contribute to a developing mouse embryo, despite evolutionary differences
Source: Rockefeller University
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Using a newly derived line of human embryonic stem cells, Rockefeller University researchers have coaxed human cells to grow in mouse tissue. The result is a groundbreaking means of both elucidating the beginning of human embryonic development and serving as the starting point from which to understand their potential therapeutic secrets of human embryonic stem cells. The finding provides the research community with a new template for studying the early decisions that an embryo makes as it develops into various body tissues.
Maybe this finding will provide researchers with new insghts into embryonic cell differentiation in order to eventually enable human embryonic stem cells to differentiation into various human tissues in order to treat diseases, injuries and conditions.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Using a newly derived line of human embryonic stem cells, Rockefeller University researchers have coaxed human cells to grow in mouse tissue. The result is a groundbreaking means of both elucidating the beginning of human embryonic development and serving as the starting point from which to understand their potential therapeutic secrets of human embryonic stem cells. The finding provides the research community with a new template for studying the early decisions that an embryo makes as it develops into various body tissues.
Maybe this finding will provide researchers with new insghts into embryonic cell differentiation in order to eventually enable human embryonic stem cells to differentiation into various human tissues in order to treat diseases, injuries and conditions.
Researchers Identify Very First Neurons in the “Thinking” Brain
Source: Yale University
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered the very first neurons in what develops into the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes humans human. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience show that the first neurons, or “predecessors,” as the researchers called them, are in place 31 days after fertilization. This is much earlier than previously thought and well before development of arms, legs or eyes.
The new insights into the formation of the cerebral cortext may provide a better understanding of developmental disorders of higher brain function, such as autism, schizophrenia, childhood epilepsy, developmental dyslexia and mental retardation. It also may explain how the human brain developed differently from that of other species.
Commentary: Maybe these neurons can be coaxed in to successful therapeutic applications to treat human neurological and developmental disoders and improve patients' mental and physical functioning and overall quality of life.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered the very first neurons in what develops into the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes humans human. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience show that the first neurons, or “predecessors,” as the researchers called them, are in place 31 days after fertilization. This is much earlier than previously thought and well before development of arms, legs or eyes.
The new insights into the formation of the cerebral cortext may provide a better understanding of developmental disorders of higher brain function, such as autism, schizophrenia, childhood epilepsy, developmental dyslexia and mental retardation. It also may explain how the human brain developed differently from that of other species.
Commentary: Maybe these neurons can be coaxed in to successful therapeutic applications to treat human neurological and developmental disoders and improve patients' mental and physical functioning and overall quality of life.
Scientists isolate leukemia stem cells in a model of human leukemia
Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Scientists Isolate Leukemia Stem Cells In A Model Of Human Leukemia
Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have isolated rare cancer stem cells that cause leukemia in a mouse model of the human disease. The leukemia stem cells isolated were found to be very different from normal blood stem cells -- a finding that may be good news for developing a drug that selectively targets them.
Commentary: Maybe this advance will trigger a string of other advancements in blood stem cell research that will lead to human treatments for blood diseases and disorders.
Scientists Coax Nerve Fibers To Regrow After Spinal Cord Injury
Source: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
In tests on rats, researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan have developed a treatment that helps spinal cord nerves regrow after injury. The study has implications for treating people who may face amputation of an arm after a violent injury in which nerves are wrenched from the spinal cord. The new treatment currently is under study for other types of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Posted: July 17, 2006
Summary:
In tests on rats, researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan have developed a treatment that helps spinal cord nerves regrow after injury. The study has implications for treating people who may face amputation of an arm after a violent injury in which nerves are wrenched from the spinal cord. The new treatment currently is under study for other types of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Proteins Spur Diabetic Mice Models To Grow Blood Vessels, Nerves
Source: University of Utah Health Sciences Center
Posted: July 16, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have taken a potentially powerful new therapy for treating diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and other illnesses out of the test tube and into animals by demonstrating it restores nerve and blood vessel growth in mice. The research couldl lead to new strategies to develop treatments for patients with diabetes, a disease that damages both nerves and blood vessels.
Commentary: Hopefully this study can eventually be translated into effective treatments for diabetes in humans and lead to improved quality of life for diabetes patients.
Posted: July 16, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have taken a potentially powerful new therapy for treating diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and other illnesses out of the test tube and into animals by demonstrating it restores nerve and blood vessel growth in mice. The research couldl lead to new strategies to develop treatments for patients with diabetes, a disease that damages both nerves and blood vessels.
Commentary: Hopefully this study can eventually be translated into effective treatments for diabetes in humans and lead to improved quality of life for diabetes patients.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
New Source Of Multipotent Adult Stem Cells Discovered In Human Hair Follicles
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine via Medical News Today
Posted: July 15, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted and avoid ethical controversy.
Posted: July 15, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted and avoid ethical controversy.
Cancer Stem Cells
Source: ScienCentral News
Posted: July 14, 2006
Summary:
This feature examines how healthly cells become cancerous cells. Scientists believe that learning how a small number of good cells went bad may be the key to defeating the disease.
Commentary: Maybe new strategies for effective cancer treatments can be developed as scientists learn more about how healthy cells become damaged and turn into cancerous cells.
Posted: July 14, 2006
Summary:
This feature examines how healthly cells become cancerous cells. Scientists believe that learning how a small number of good cells went bad may be the key to defeating the disease.
Commentary: Maybe new strategies for effective cancer treatments can be developed as scientists learn more about how healthy cells become damaged and turn into cancerous cells.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Making A Face: A New And Earlier Marker Of Neural Crest Development
Source: Yale University via Medical News Today
Posted: July 13, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Posted: July 13, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Scientists Identify Protein With A Crucial Role In Cell Death
Source: VIB, Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology
Posted: July 13, 2006
Summary;
Gaining a better understanding of cells that die off in a controlled manner will enable a better understanding of age-related conditions, such as dementia. Researchers have discovered the function of the PARL protein. By studying mice that are unable to produce PARL, the researchers have discovered the significance of this protein in controlled cell death. An important step toward a good understanding of the ageing processes and of diseases like Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: Hopefully this research can eventually be translated into effective human therapies to treat, or even reverse, the effect of age-related diseases and conditions.
Posted: July 13, 2006
Summary;
Gaining a better understanding of cells that die off in a controlled manner will enable a better understanding of age-related conditions, such as dementia. Researchers have discovered the function of the PARL protein. By studying mice that are unable to produce PARL, the researchers have discovered the significance of this protein in controlled cell death. An important step toward a good understanding of the ageing processes and of diseases like Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: Hopefully this research can eventually be translated into effective human therapies to treat, or even reverse, the effect of age-related diseases and conditions.
Donor T Cells Change The Fate Of Stem Cells In Transplantation
Source: University of Illinois at Chicago
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine researchers have published a study that describes a way to possibly pre-empt the onset of comlications that may result in transplant patients with conditions such as graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease.
In laboratory and animal models, the researchers demonstrated that alloreactive T cells change the fate of blood stem cells and may themselves stimulate a strong immune response.
Discoverinng how stem cells change in may enable testing of immunosuppressive drugs and different T cell subsets, potentially preventing or reducing graft-versus-host disease or rejection.
The researchers believe that by blocking some molecules, the complications could be reversed, potentially leading to improved outcomes for transplant patients.
Commentary: Maybe this research will lead to new methods of preventing immune rejection in stem cell transplantation for all types of human stem cells and enable a greater number of human diseases and conditions to be successfully treated using stem cells.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine researchers have published a study that describes a way to possibly pre-empt the onset of comlications that may result in transplant patients with conditions such as graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease.
In laboratory and animal models, the researchers demonstrated that alloreactive T cells change the fate of blood stem cells and may themselves stimulate a strong immune response.
Discoverinng how stem cells change in may enable testing of immunosuppressive drugs and different T cell subsets, potentially preventing or reducing graft-versus-host disease or rejection.
The researchers believe that by blocking some molecules, the complications could be reversed, potentially leading to improved outcomes for transplant patients.
Commentary: Maybe this research will lead to new methods of preventing immune rejection in stem cell transplantation for all types of human stem cells and enable a greater number of human diseases and conditions to be successfully treated using stem cells.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
World-first Stem Cell Research Could Aid Male Infertility
Source: University of Newcastle upon Tyne via Medical News Today
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
Scalp tissue might become stem cell source
Source: United Press International
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
PHILADELPHIA, July 12 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have isolated a new source of adult stem cells in scalp tissue that might be able to differentiate into several cell types.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will yield treatments for diseases and avoid ethical controversy that is sometimes associated with embryonic stem cell research.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
PHILADELPHIA, July 12 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have isolated a new source of adult stem cells in scalp tissue that might be able to differentiate into several cell types.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will yield treatments for diseases and avoid ethical controversy that is sometimes associated with embryonic stem cell research.
Donor T cells change the fate of stem cells in transplantation
Source: University of Illinois at Chicago
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine researchers have published a study that describes a way to possibly pre-empt the onset of comlications that may result in transplant patients with conditions such as graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease.
In laboratory and animal models, the researchers demonstrated that alloreactive T cells change the fate of blood stem cells and may themselves stimulate a strong immune response.
Discoverinng how stem cells change in may enable testing of immunosuppressive drugs and different T cell subsets, potentially preventing or reducing graft-versus-host disease or rejection.
The researchers believe that by blocking some molecules, the complications could be reversed, potentially leading to improved outcomes for transplant patients.
Commentary: Maybe this research will lead to new methods of preventing immune rejection in stem cell transplantation for all types of human stem cells and enable a greater number of human diseases and conditions to be successfully treated using stem cells.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine researchers have published a study that describes a way to possibly pre-empt the onset of comlications that may result in transplant patients with conditions such as graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease.
In laboratory and animal models, the researchers demonstrated that alloreactive T cells change the fate of blood stem cells and may themselves stimulate a strong immune response.
Discoverinng how stem cells change in may enable testing of immunosuppressive drugs and different T cell subsets, potentially preventing or reducing graft-versus-host disease or rejection.
The researchers believe that by blocking some molecules, the complications could be reversed, potentially leading to improved outcomes for transplant patients.
Commentary: Maybe this research will lead to new methods of preventing immune rejection in stem cell transplantation for all types of human stem cells and enable a greater number of human diseases and conditions to be successfully treated using stem cells.
New Source of Multipotent Adult Stem Cells Discovered in Human Hair Follicles
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted and avoid ethical controversy.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted and avoid ethical controversy.
New source of multipotent adult stem cells discovered in human hair follicles: Implications for personalized approaches to transplants
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Scientists bridge' spinal injury nerve gap
Source: The Plain Dealer
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have devised a way to make nerve fibers grow a "bridge" across gaps in rats' damaged spinal cords. The new technique, reported in the July 12th edition of Journal of Neuroscience, successfully re-established some neural connections and restored a "considerable" amount of movement in five of seven partially paralyzed rats, according to the researchers.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have devised a way to make nerve fibers grow a "bridge" across gaps in rats' damaged spinal cords. The new technique, reported in the July 12th edition of Journal of Neuroscience, successfully re-established some neural connections and restored a "considerable" amount of movement in five of seven partially paralyzed rats, according to the researchers.
New Source of Multipotent Adult Stem Cells Discovered in Human Hair Follicles
Source: University of Pennsylvania Health System
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted while avoiding ethical controversy.
Posted: July 12, 2006
Summary:
In a finding that may accelerate the pace of discovery in the field of stem cell research, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have isolated a new source of adult stem cells that appear to have the potential to differentiate into several cell types. If their approach to growing these cells can be scaled up and proves to be safe and effective in animal and human studies, it could one day provide the tissue needed by an individual for treating a host of disorders, including peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Commentary: Maybe this breakthrough will increase the amount of stem cell research being conducted while avoiding ethical controversy.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
A Tissue Engineer Sows Cells and Grows Organs
Source: New York Times
Posted: July 11, 2006
This is an interesting feature story profiling Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Recently he became the first scientist to engineer a human bladder from stem cells.
Posted: July 11, 2006
This is an interesting feature story profiling Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Recently he became the first scientist to engineer a human bladder from stem cells.
Making A Face: A New And Earlier Marker Of Neural Crest Development
Source: Yale University
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Making a Face: A New and Earlier Marker of Neural Crest Development
Source: Yale University
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerat damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from “stage 3” chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
Commentary: Maybe these results will produce new applications of embryonic stem cells to regenerat damaged or destroyed tissues and structures in humans.
Sperm Created In The Laboratory From Embryonic Stem Cells Produce Viable Progeny
Source: Cell Press
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have demonstrated for the first time that embryonic stem (ES) cells cultured in the laboratory can produce sperm with the capacity to produce viable offspring. The research, published in the July issue of Developmental Cell, opens many exciting avenues for future studies, including investigation of mechanisms involved in sperm production and development of new treatment strategies for infertility. The results of this study establish that the ES cell derived cell lines can produce functional sperm in the laboratory which can be used to successfully fertilize eggs and support full-term development into embryos and adult mice.
Commentary: Maybe this can lead to improved fertility treatments, but also an ethical means of deriving embryonic stem cells.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have demonstrated for the first time that embryonic stem (ES) cells cultured in the laboratory can produce sperm with the capacity to produce viable offspring. The research, published in the July issue of Developmental Cell, opens many exciting avenues for future studies, including investigation of mechanisms involved in sperm production and development of new treatment strategies for infertility. The results of this study establish that the ES cell derived cell lines can produce functional sperm in the laboratory which can be used to successfully fertilize eggs and support full-term development into embryos and adult mice.
Commentary: Maybe this can lead to improved fertility treatments, but also an ethical means of deriving embryonic stem cells.
New Research Promising For Improving Brain Cell Survival After Brain Injury
Source: Howard Florey Institute
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have found a protein in the brain that can save neurons from dying after experiencing traumatic brain injury from incidents such as stroke, car accidents and falls. They have learned that the protein is produced in excessive levels in brain cells after they have had a traumatic brain injury. Scientists said that because this protein is “over-expressed”, it can prevent the neuron’s cells from dying, reducing brain damage.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will provide a basis for developing new therapies to effectively treat brain injury and other neurological conditions and central nervous system disorders in humans.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have found a protein in the brain that can save neurons from dying after experiencing traumatic brain injury from incidents such as stroke, car accidents and falls. They have learned that the protein is produced in excessive levels in brain cells after they have had a traumatic brain injury. Scientists said that because this protein is “over-expressed”, it can prevent the neuron’s cells from dying, reducing brain damage.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will provide a basis for developing new therapies to effectively treat brain injury and other neurological conditions and central nervous system disorders in humans.
Scientists Use Sperm-Like Cells Make Mice: Scientists Use Sperm-Like Cells From Stem Cells to Produce Mice in Infertility Experiment
Source: Associated Press
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists produced live mice by using sperm-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells. The work establishes a method for learning more about how sperm is formed and perhaps for finding new treatments for male infertility, researchers said. The researchers started with mouse embryonic stem cells, highly versatile cells that can develop into any of the specialized cells of the body. In a laboratory, they used genetic and chemical techniques to derive cells that resembled precursors to sperm.
Commentary: Maybe this research can eventually be translated into safe and effective fertility treatments in humans.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists produced live mice by using sperm-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells. The work establishes a method for learning more about how sperm is formed and perhaps for finding new treatments for male infertility, researchers said. The researchers started with mouse embryonic stem cells, highly versatile cells that can develop into any of the specialized cells of the body. In a laboratory, they used genetic and chemical techniques to derive cells that resembled precursors to sperm.
Commentary: Maybe this research can eventually be translated into safe and effective fertility treatments in humans.
Stem Cells Could Create Artificial Sperm
Source: ABC7 / KGO-TV - San Francisco, CA
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
July 11 - KGO - Scientists have found a new use for embryonic stem cells. Researchers say they've achieved promising results to create artificial sperm. But the new findings come just as the debate over stem cell research heats up on Capitol Hill.
Imagine eliminating the need for men in the process of human reproduction. That's what critics of this research are worried about happening. But researchers hope it could help treat the problem of male infertility.
Commentary: This research seems promising in its potential to develop new types of fertility treatments.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
July 11 - KGO - Scientists have found a new use for embryonic stem cells. Researchers say they've achieved promising results to create artificial sperm. But the new findings come just as the debate over stem cell research heats up on Capitol Hill.
Imagine eliminating the need for men in the process of human reproduction. That's what critics of this research are worried about happening. But researchers hope it could help treat the problem of male infertility.
Commentary: This research seems promising in its potential to develop new types of fertility treatments.
Stem cells turned into sperm
Source: New Scientist Print Edition
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Stem cells taken from mouse embryos have been used to generate sperm that went on to fertilise eggs and produce live offspring. The technique could one day help an infertile man to have his own biological children.
Sperm have been created from stem cells and injected into eggs before, but the resultant embryos stopped growing after a couple of days.
Stem cells were extracted from early mouse embryos, and coaxed into becoming sperm by manipulating the environment in which they were grown in the lab. These sperm were then injected into normal mouse egg cells to fertilise them.
Commentary: Maybe this finding could lead to improved fertility treatments in humans
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Stem cells taken from mouse embryos have been used to generate sperm that went on to fertilise eggs and produce live offspring. The technique could one day help an infertile man to have his own biological children.
Sperm have been created from stem cells and injected into eggs before, but the resultant embryos stopped growing after a couple of days.
Stem cells were extracted from early mouse embryos, and coaxed into becoming sperm by manipulating the environment in which they were grown in the lab. These sperm were then injected into normal mouse egg cells to fertilise them.
Commentary: Maybe this finding could lead to improved fertility treatments in humans
Penn researchers enlist proteins to 'switch on' heart tissue repair system in animal models. Implications for future approach to treating heart diseas
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are utilizing a protein to "switch on" the ability to repair damaged heart tissue. By triggering the cell-cycle signal, researchers can manipulate cells in animal models to regenerate damaged heart tissue. If this research is someday successfully translated to humans, it could change the approach to treating heart disease, the nation's leading killer.
Commentary: Hopefully this research will yield successful human treatments that are less invasive than conventional heart surgery and do not have harmful side effects or pose other health risks.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are utilizing a protein to "switch on" the ability to repair damaged heart tissue. By triggering the cell-cycle signal, researchers can manipulate cells in animal models to regenerate damaged heart tissue. If this research is someday successfully translated to humans, it could change the approach to treating heart disease, the nation's leading killer.
Commentary: Hopefully this research will yield successful human treatments that are less invasive than conventional heart surgery and do not have harmful side effects or pose other health risks.
Scientists grow sperm from stem cells
Source: Daily Telegraph
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have turned stem cells from an embryo into sperm that are capable of producing offspring. The advance in reproductive science raises new opportunities to treat male infertility and the possibility that women could make sperm.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will lead to safer and more effective fertility treatments.
Posted: July 11, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have turned stem cells from an embryo into sperm that are capable of producing offspring. The advance in reproductive science raises new opportunities to treat male infertility and the possibility that women could make sperm.
Commentary: Hopefully this advance will lead to safer and more effective fertility treatments.
Stem Cell Experiment Produces Mice Offspring From Artificial Sperm
Daily News Central
July 10, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at a German university have used embryonic stem cells as the basis for creating artificial sperm in a laboratory setting. The team, led by Professor Karim Nayernia of Georg-August Unviersity in Gottingen, used special equipment to separate stem cells that had begun to turn into sperm. After these cells, called "spermatogonial stem cells," grew into adult sperm cells, scientists injected them into the eggs of female mice. The eggs became fertile and were then transplanted into another group of female mice, which gave birth to seven baby mice. All but one of the offspring survived to adulthood.
July 10, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at a German university have used embryonic stem cells as the basis for creating artificial sperm in a laboratory setting. The team, led by Professor Karim Nayernia of Georg-August Unviersity in Gottingen, used special equipment to separate stem cells that had begun to turn into sperm. After these cells, called "spermatogonial stem cells," grew into adult sperm cells, scientists injected them into the eggs of female mice. The eggs became fertile and were then transplanted into another group of female mice, which gave birth to seven baby mice. All but one of the offspring survived to adulthood.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Experiment could be male infertility breakthrough: Scientists produced mice from isolated embryonic stem cells
Source: Reuters
Posted: July 10, 2006 3:22 PM ET
Summary:
Scientists have produced mice using sperm grown in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells. The breakthrough may lead to improved male infertility treatments.
Commentary: Hopefully this experiment can be successfully replicated in human patients to treat infertility.
Posted: July 10, 2006 3:22 PM ET
Summary:
Scientists have produced mice using sperm grown in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells. The breakthrough may lead to improved male infertility treatments.
Commentary: Hopefully this experiment can be successfully replicated in human patients to treat infertility.
World-first Stem Cell Research Could Aid Male Infertility
Source: University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
Cause Of Neuronal Death In Down's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease Could Be Surprisingly Simple
Source: Cell Press
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered new evidence that surprisingly simple genetic abnormalities in the machinery of critical neuronal growth-regulating molecules can kill neurons in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers said their basic findings could aid progress toward treatment for the cognitive deficits in these disorders. The study revealed that an increase in the expression of a gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP) disrupts transport of the neurotrophin "nerve growth factor" (NGF). APP is also a central molecule in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will lead to treatmets that will decrease cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative disorders and improve overall cognitive fuction in humans.
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered new evidence that surprisingly simple genetic abnormalities in the machinery of critical neuronal growth-regulating molecules can kill neurons in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers said their basic findings could aid progress toward treatment for the cognitive deficits in these disorders. The study revealed that an increase in the expression of a gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP) disrupts transport of the neurotrophin "nerve growth factor" (NGF). APP is also a central molecule in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will lead to treatmets that will decrease cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative disorders and improve overall cognitive fuction in humans.
World-first stem cell research could aid male infertility
Source: University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
Posted: July 10, 2006
Summary:
SCIENTISTS have shown for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring.
The experiment was carried out using mice and produced seven babies, six of which lived to adulthood.
The breakthrough, reported July 10 in the academic journal Developmental Cell, helps scientists to understand more about how animals produce sperm. This knowledge has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility.
Stem cell researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using embryonic stem cells from mice. They then went on to test whether this sperm would function in real life.
The team isolated stem cells from a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo that is a cluster of cells only a few days old.
These cells were grown in the laboratory and screened using a special sorting machine. Some had grown into a type of stem cell known as 'spermatogonial stem cells', or early-stage sperm cells.
The spermatogonial cells were singled out, then genetically marked and grown in the laboratory. Some of them grew into cells resembling sperm, known as gametes, which were themselves singled out and highlighted using a genetic marker.
The sperm that had been derived from the embryonic stem cells was then injectd into the female mouse eggs and grown into early-stage embryos.
The early-stage embryos were successfully transplanted into the female mice which produced seven babies. Six developed into adult mice.
The findings could also inform a field of stem cell research known as nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, which aims to provide tailor-made stem cells to aid disease therapy and infertility. Sperm cells could potentially be created using this method.
Although previous studies have shown that embryonic stem cells grown in the laboratory can become germ cells that give rise to cells resembling sperm cells or gametes, this is the first time scientists have tested whether the gametes really work in real life.
Commentary: Maybe this finding can eventually yield successful fertility treatments in humans.
'Lab-made sperm' fertility hope
Source: BBC News
Posted: 2006/07/10 16:02:37 GMT
Summary:
Scientists have proved for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring. The discovery in mice could ultimately help couples affected by male fertility problems to conceive. The scientists say a better understanding embryo developmental processes might enable a host of other diseases to be treated using stem cells, they say. The study is published in the journal Developmental Cell.
Commentary: This finding may eventualy lead to improved treatments for infertiility and a myriad of human diseases.
Posted: 2006/07/10 16:02:37 GMT
Summary:
Scientists have proved for the first time that sperm grown from embryonic stem cells can be used to produce offspring. The discovery in mice could ultimately help couples affected by male fertility problems to conceive. The scientists say a better understanding embryo developmental processes might enable a host of other diseases to be treated using stem cells, they say. The study is published in the journal Developmental Cell.
Commentary: This finding may eventualy lead to improved treatments for infertiility and a myriad of human diseases.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Florida research scientists report stem cell breakthrough
Source: Bradenton Herald
Posted: July 8, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments tailored for specfic diseases.
Posted: July 8, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments tailored for specfic diseases.
Study results may offer hope for hemophiliacs: Bleeding stops in mice with clotting disease
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Posted: July 9, 2006
Summary:
Local researchers have used a strategy that delivers a critical clotting protein through blood cells to prevent hemorrhaging in mice with hemophilia, a preliminary finding that may improve treatment of people with the hereditary bleeding disorder.
Although it is unknown if the technique ultimately will work in humans, the research provides particular hope for the small percentage of patients who don't respond to the standard treatment option.
Commentary: This study may provide a basis for further investigation into the developments of hemophilia and other blood disorders.
Posted: July 9, 2006
Summary:
Local researchers have used a strategy that delivers a critical clotting protein through blood cells to prevent hemorrhaging in mice with hemophilia, a preliminary finding that may improve treatment of people with the hereditary bleeding disorder.
Although it is unknown if the technique ultimately will work in humans, the research provides particular hope for the small percentage of patients who don't respond to the standard treatment option.
Commentary: This study may provide a basis for further investigation into the developments of hemophilia and other blood disorders.
Common Culturing Surface Shown To Change Fate Of Stem Cells
Source: University of Florida
Posted: July 8, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that embryonic stem cells, valued for their ability to apparently become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings - even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish. The findings might enable scientists to create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted into patients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: This finding seems significant because it could provide researchers with new strategies on how to transform embryonic stem cells into different human cell types in order to treat diseases, injuries and medical conditions.
Posted: July 8, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that embryonic stem cells, valued for their ability to apparently become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings - even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish. The findings might enable scientists to create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted into patients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: This finding seems significant because it could provide researchers with new strategies on how to transform embryonic stem cells into different human cell types in order to treat diseases, injuries and medical conditions.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Medium is the message for stem cells in search of identities: Common culturing surface shown to change fate of stem cells
Source: University of Florida
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments taliored for specfic diseases.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments taliored for specfic diseases.
Menin Gene Mutation made Insulin Secreting Cells to Proliferate
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Acute loss of a protein named menin – involved in tumor-suppression or cell-proliferation-suppressing function resulted in the proliferation of pancreatic islet cells, which again affected blood sugar regulation - researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reports.
In humans menin gene (Men1) mutation can lead to a genetic disease called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and this discovery also has implications for diabetes treatment.
Commenntary: This finding seems as if it could eventually be translated into an effective treatment or part of any effective treatment for diabetes and improve the quality of life for diabetes patients.
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Acute loss of a protein named menin – involved in tumor-suppression or cell-proliferation-suppressing function resulted in the proliferation of pancreatic islet cells, which again affected blood sugar regulation - researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reports.
In humans menin gene (Men1) mutation can lead to a genetic disease called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and this discovery also has implications for diabetes treatment.
Commenntary: This finding seems as if it could eventually be translated into an effective treatment or part of any effective treatment for diabetes and improve the quality of life for diabetes patients.
Researchers Aim To Cut Future Need For Liver Transplants
Source: University of Edinburgh
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
University of Edinburgh scientists have identified primitive liver cells –possibly dormant from the earliest developmental stage of a human being – which have the potential to mature into different cells types and help repair a failing liver. Their newly-published findings could pave the way for alternative treatments using cell replacements instead of organ transplants for those with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully cell replacement therapy will be successful in treating liver failure and reduce the urgent need for organ donation in order for patients who are unable to get liver transplants to avoid suffering fatal consequences.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
University of Edinburgh scientists have identified primitive liver cells –possibly dormant from the earliest developmental stage of a human being – which have the potential to mature into different cells types and help repair a failing liver. Their newly-published findings could pave the way for alternative treatments using cell replacements instead of organ transplants for those with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully cell replacement therapy will be successful in treating liver failure and reduce the urgent need for organ donation in order for patients who are unable to get liver transplants to avoid suffering fatal consequences.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy Boosts Blood Vessel Growth And Injury Repair
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Data has suggested that injection or mobilization of bone marrow stem cells into injured heart muscle during or after myocardial infarction would be able to regenerate heart muscle lost due to injury. However, there is a growing consensus that the mechanism of any potential therapeutic benefit is unknown and evidence suggests that any potential improvement in cardiac function observed is largely independent of cardiac muscle regeneration.
Commentary: Hopefully this stem cell treatment will be able to regenerate heart muscle lost due to injury.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Data has suggested that injection or mobilization of bone marrow stem cells into injured heart muscle during or after myocardial infarction would be able to regenerate heart muscle lost due to injury. However, there is a growing consensus that the mechanism of any potential therapeutic benefit is unknown and evidence suggests that any potential improvement in cardiac function observed is largely independent of cardiac muscle regeneration.
Commentary: Hopefully this stem cell treatment will be able to regenerate heart muscle lost due to injury.
Penn Researchers Enlist Proteins To 'Switch On' Heart Tissue Repair System In Animal Models
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are utilizing a protein to "switch on" the ability to repair damaged heart tissue. By triggering the cell-cycle signal, researchers can manipulate cells in animal models to regenerate damaged heart tissue. If this research is someday successfully translated to humans, it could change the approach to treating heart disease, the nation's leading killer.
Commentary: Hopefully this research will yield successful human treatments that are less invasive than conventional heart surgery and do not have harmful side effects or pose other health risks.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are utilizing a protein to "switch on" the ability to repair damaged heart tissue. By triggering the cell-cycle signal, researchers can manipulate cells in animal models to regenerate damaged heart tissue. If this research is someday successfully translated to humans, it could change the approach to treating heart disease, the nation's leading killer.
Commentary: Hopefully this research will yield successful human treatments that are less invasive than conventional heart surgery and do not have harmful side effects or pose other health risks.
Stem Cells Transformed Into Immune Cells. But researchers stress that lab results may take years to duplicate in humans
Source: HealthDay News
Posted: July 7. 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles announced that they converted stem cells into T-cells, a crucial part of the immune system. Production of T-cells could produce a new treatment for AIDS an other immune system diseases. In the new research, the scientists tested what happened when blood-forming stem cells were injected into a human thymus that had been implanted into a mouse. The thymus, part of the human immune system, converted the stem cells into T-cells. In another positive sign, the research suggests that scientists can piggyback a gene onto stem cells, delivering it to a diseased organ. Potentially, the stem-cell therapy could fight any disease that robs the immune system of its ability to function properly. However, obstacles such as immune system rejection of the stem cells still need to be overcome.
Commentary: This finding seems to provide new insights into using cell therapies to treat immune diseases. Hopefully it can eventually be turned into effective treatments for human immune system diseases.
Posted: July 7. 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles announced that they converted stem cells into T-cells, a crucial part of the immune system. Production of T-cells could produce a new treatment for AIDS an other immune system diseases. In the new research, the scientists tested what happened when blood-forming stem cells were injected into a human thymus that had been implanted into a mouse. The thymus, part of the human immune system, converted the stem cells into T-cells. In another positive sign, the research suggests that scientists can piggyback a gene onto stem cells, delivering it to a diseased organ. Potentially, the stem-cell therapy could fight any disease that robs the immune system of its ability to function properly. However, obstacles such as immune system rejection of the stem cells still need to be overcome.
Commentary: This finding seems to provide new insights into using cell therapies to treat immune diseases. Hopefully it can eventually be turned into effective treatments for human immune system diseases.
Scientists Turn Stem Cells Into Disease-Fighting T-Cells: Achievement could be a milestone for AIDS research, they say
Source: HealthDay News
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
For the first time, researchers have found a way to genetically manipulate human embryonic stem cells so they grow into mature disease-fighting T-cells -- a discovery they say might help in the development of gene therapy against AIDS. The study results suggest it's possible to decipher the signals that control the development of embryonic stem cells into T-cells, which may eventually enable doctors to rebuild or regenerate patients' immune systems that have been compromised or destroyed by autoimmune disease.
Commentary: Hopefully this discovery this will lead to effective human treatments for immune system diseases and disorders, such as AIDS or lupus.
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
For the first time, researchers have found a way to genetically manipulate human embryonic stem cells so they grow into mature disease-fighting T-cells -- a discovery they say might help in the development of gene therapy against AIDS. The study results suggest it's possible to decipher the signals that control the development of embryonic stem cells into T-cells, which may eventually enable doctors to rebuild or regenerate patients' immune systems that have been compromised or destroyed by autoimmune disease.
Commentary: Hopefully this discovery this will lead to effective human treatments for immune system diseases and disorders, such as AIDS or lupus.
Clues to Cell Suicide Could Boost Cancer Research: Scientists learn that a key protein helps nudge damaged cells toward death
Source: HealthDay News
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have discovered that a protein which usually repairs severed DNA molecules can also join forces with another protein to destroy DNA in damaged cells, triggering cell death. It is thought the discovery could provide new strategies the fight against cancer.
Commentary: Maybe this new understanding about the process of cell death will provide scientists not only with new ideas for developing cancer treatments, but other diseases where cell death occurs such as Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and diabetes.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have discovered that a protein which usually repairs severed DNA molecules can also join forces with another protein to destroy DNA in damaged cells, triggering cell death. It is thought the discovery could provide new strategies the fight against cancer.
Commentary: Maybe this new understanding about the process of cell death will provide scientists not only with new ideas for developing cancer treatments, but other diseases where cell death occurs such as Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and diabetes.
Healing The Heart With Bone Marrow Cells
Source: University of Toronto
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
A study by researchers at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Toronto General Hospital has revealed the 'SOS' distress signal that mobilizes specific heart repair cells from the bone marrow to the injured heart after a heart attack. The researchers say this study identifies the method the body employs to repair the heart and provides new therapies to stimulate cardiac regeneration and prevent heart failure in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
Commentary: This research seems promising in producing new strategies to use bone marrow stem cells to both prevent and treat heart attacks.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
A study by researchers at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Toronto General Hospital has revealed the 'SOS' distress signal that mobilizes specific heart repair cells from the bone marrow to the injured heart after a heart attack. The researchers say this study identifies the method the body employs to repair the heart and provides new therapies to stimulate cardiac regeneration and prevent heart failure in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
Commentary: This research seems promising in producing new strategies to use bone marrow stem cells to both prevent and treat heart attacks.
Fresh stem cell hope for liver patients
Source: The Herald
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at Edinburgh University have identified a new type of liver stem cells which have the potential to mature into different cell types and help repair a failing liver. Their findings could pave the way for the use of cell replacements instead of organ transplants for patients with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will lead to effective cell replacement therapy to treat liver failure without having harmful side-effects.
Posted: July 7, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at Edinburgh University have identified a new type of liver stem cells which have the potential to mature into different cell types and help repair a failing liver. Their findings could pave the way for the use of cell replacements instead of organ transplants for patients with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will lead to effective cell replacement therapy to treat liver failure without having harmful side-effects.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Cause of neuronal death in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease could be surprisingly simple
Source: Cell Press
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered new evidence that surprisingly simple genetic abnormalities in the machinery of critical neuronal growth-regulating molecules can kill neurons in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers said their basic findings could aid progress toward treatment for the cognitive deficits in these disorders. The study revealed that an increase in the expression of a gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP) disrupts transport of the neurotrophin "nerve growth factor" (NGF). APP is also a central molecule in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will lead to treatmets that will decrease cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative disorders and improve overall cognitive fuction in humans.
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have discovered new evidence that surprisingly simple genetic abnormalities in the machinery of critical neuronal growth-regulating molecules can kill neurons in Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers said their basic findings could aid progress toward treatment for the cognitive deficits in these disorders. The study revealed that an increase in the expression of a gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP) disrupts transport of the neurotrophin "nerve growth factor" (NGF). APP is also a central molecule in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will lead to treatmets that will decrease cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative disorders and improve overall cognitive fuction in humans.
Cell treatment offers hope to liver patients
Source: The Scotsman
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Edinburgh University have discovered cells which have the potential to transform and regenerate damaged liver tissue. The findings could pave the way for alternative treatments using stem cell replacements instead of organ transplants for those with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully stem cell treatments will yield positiive results for liver failure patients and lead to an improved quality of life.
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at Edinburgh University have discovered cells which have the potential to transform and regenerate damaged liver tissue. The findings could pave the way for alternative treatments using stem cell replacements instead of organ transplants for those with liver failure.
Commentary: Hopefully stem cell treatments will yield positiive results for liver failure patients and lead to an improved quality of life.
Medium Is The Message For Stem Cells In Search Of Identities
Source: University of Florida
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments taliored for specfic diseases.
Posted: July 6, 2006
Summary:
Embryonic stem cells, valuable because of their potential to become any kind of cell in the body, acquire their identities in part by interacting with their surroundings — even when they are outside of the body in a laboratory dish, University of Florida scientists report. The findings may one day help scientists create laboratory environments to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted intopatients to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or other brain disorders.
Commentary: Mabe this finding will accelerate the creation of specialized stem cells that can be translated into effective treatments taliored for specfic diseases.
Researchers Develop T-cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Raising Hopes For A Gene Therapy To Combat AIDS
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Research highlights development of stem cells
Source: Pharmaceutical Business Review
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the University of Florida's McKnight Brain Institute conducting research with embryonic stem cells from mice have announced findings that may eventually enable scientists to create laboratory environments that will allow them to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted into patients with brain disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will enable scientists to create cells that will be able to be safely administered to patients and treat disease without posing risks of immune system rejection or other harmful side effects.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the University of Florida's McKnight Brain Institute conducting research with embryonic stem cells from mice have announced findings that may eventually enable scientists to create laboratory environments that will allow them to grow specialized cells that can be transplanted into patients with brain disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Commentary: Maybe this finding will enable scientists to create cells that will be able to be safely administered to patients and treat disease without posing risks of immune system rejection or other harmful side effects.
UCLA Researchers Develop T-cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: 06 Jul 2006 - 3:00am (PDT)
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Posted: 06 Jul 2006 - 3:00am (PDT)
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Drug Dials Down The Energy Within Cells, Researchers Find
Source: University of Michigan
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that Bz-423, a drug effective at treating animal models of human autoimmune disorders and other diseases, works by dialing down the activity of a key enzyme involved in energy production. The drug lowers enzyme activity to a level that maintains normal function while simultaneously allowing for initiation of a process that selectively kills or disables disease-causing cells. Unlike conventional drugs for these conditions, which can’t discriminate between healthy and disease-causing cells, Bz-423 is highly selective, homing in on disease-causing cells. The researchers believe the findings may have applications not only for lupus, arthritis and psoriasis, but also for other conditions.
Commentary: Hopefully this drug will be effective in treating autoimmune diseases in a diverse patient population.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that Bz-423, a drug effective at treating animal models of human autoimmune disorders and other diseases, works by dialing down the activity of a key enzyme involved in energy production. The drug lowers enzyme activity to a level that maintains normal function while simultaneously allowing for initiation of a process that selectively kills or disables disease-causing cells. Unlike conventional drugs for these conditions, which can’t discriminate between healthy and disease-causing cells, Bz-423 is highly selective, homing in on disease-causing cells. The researchers believe the findings may have applications not only for lupus, arthritis and psoriasis, but also for other conditions.
Commentary: Hopefully this drug will be effective in treating autoimmune diseases in a diverse patient population.
Researchers Discover Compounds To Shrink Tumors
Source: University of Minnesota
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed novel anti-cancer drugs to treat solid tumors. These "small molecules" belong to a class of pharmaceutical agents called anti-angiogenics. The new compounds are a refined form of drugs that effectively reduce blood flow to the tumor, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. The results of the study appear in the July 5 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Commentary: Hopefully these drugs will eventually be effective in treating tumors in humans.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed novel anti-cancer drugs to treat solid tumors. These "small molecules" belong to a class of pharmaceutical agents called anti-angiogenics. The new compounds are a refined form of drugs that effectively reduce blood flow to the tumor, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. The results of the study appear in the July 5 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Commentary: Hopefully these drugs will eventually be effective in treating tumors in humans.
Dopamine Drug Leads To New Neurons And Recovery Of Function In Rat Model Of Parkinson's
Source: NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of the nerve-signaling chemical dopamine causes new neurons to develop in the part of the brain where cells are lost in Parkinson's disease (PD). The drug also led to long-lasting recovery of function in an animal model of PD. The findings may lead to new ways of treating PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers are calling the study the first to show that development of new neurons from cells already in the brain can enable recovery of function in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: These findings may provide researchers with new strategies for researchers to develop effective treatments for Parkinson's Disease in humans.
Posted: July 5, 2006
Summary:
In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of the nerve-signaling chemical dopamine causes new neurons to develop in the part of the brain where cells are lost in Parkinson's disease (PD). The drug also led to long-lasting recovery of function in an animal model of PD. The findings may lead to new ways of treating PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers are calling the study the first to show that development of new neurons from cells already in the brain can enable recovery of function in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.
Commentary: These findings may provide researchers with new strategies for researchers to develop effective treatments for Parkinson's Disease in humans.
Crucial immune cells derived from stem cells
Source: NewScientist.com news service
Posted: 16:22 04 July 2006
Summary:
For the first time human embryonic stem cells have been coaxed into becoming T-cells, suggesting new ways to fight immune disorders including AIDS and the “bubble boy” disease, X-SCID.
A team of scientists genetically-engineered ESCs and then pushed them to become T-cells in a three-step process. First the cells were given a gene for a green fluorescent protein using a genetically-engineered virus. Next, the cells were grown on mouse bone marrow cells. Finally, they were injected into a small piece of human thymus which had been implanted in a mouse with a deficient immune system. The technique opens news possibilities for treatment of genetic and immunological diseases.
Commentary: This technique seems as if it may be able to be used to produce immune cells to treat immune deficiency conditions.
Posted: 16:22 04 July 2006
Summary:
For the first time human embryonic stem cells have been coaxed into becoming T-cells, suggesting new ways to fight immune disorders including AIDS and the “bubble boy” disease, X-SCID.
A team of scientists genetically-engineered ESCs and then pushed them to become T-cells in a three-step process. First the cells were given a gene for a green fluorescent protein using a genetically-engineered virus. Next, the cells were grown on mouse bone marrow cells. Finally, they were injected into a small piece of human thymus which had been implanted in a mouse with a deficient immune system. The technique opens news possibilities for treatment of genetic and immunological diseases.
Commentary: This technique seems as if it may be able to be used to produce immune cells to treat immune deficiency conditions.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
UCLA scientists report stem-cell advance
Source: Orange County Register
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
UCLA researchers say they've found a way to guide human embryonic stem cells into becoming the T-cells that a body uses to fight diseases.
Commentary: This advance may eventually lead to the development of treatments for immune diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
UCLA researchers say they've found a way to guide human embryonic stem cells into becoming the T-cells that a body uses to fight diseases.
Commentary: This advance may eventually lead to the development of treatments for immune diseases and disorders.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Novel gene therapy may lead to cure in hemophilia A patients: Even hard to treat subset requiring expensive treatment
Source: Medical College of Wisconsin
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
A discovery by Medical College of Wisconsin and BloodCenter of Wisconsin researchers in Milwaukee may be a key to a permanent genetic cure for hemophilia A patients, including a subset who do not respond to conventional blood transfusions. A non-replicative virus containing the FVIII gene would be introduced into the stem cells from the patient. The FVIII engineered for production only in platelets would insert itself into the DNA of the stem cells. These same stem cells would then be given back to the donor patient and the stem cells would continue to make blood cells normally, releasing the life saving FVIII only when the platelets stick to a bleeding site of injury. Researchers believe the blood cells could be continually produced throughout a patient's life span, and treatment could normalize bleeding for patients with hemophilia.
Commentary: Maybe this research could lead to effective treatments, or even a cure for hemophilia.
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
A discovery by Medical College of Wisconsin and BloodCenter of Wisconsin researchers in Milwaukee may be a key to a permanent genetic cure for hemophilia A patients, including a subset who do not respond to conventional blood transfusions. A non-replicative virus containing the FVIII gene would be introduced into the stem cells from the patient. The FVIII engineered for production only in platelets would insert itself into the DNA of the stem cells. These same stem cells would then be given back to the donor patient and the stem cells would continue to make blood cells normally, releasing the life saving FVIII only when the platelets stick to a bleeding site of injury. Researchers believe the blood cells could be continually produced throughout a patient's life span, and treatment could normalize bleeding for patients with hemophilia.
Commentary: Maybe this research could lead to effective treatments, or even a cure for hemophilia.
Cancer and embryonic genes similar
Source: United Press International
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered that lung cancer cells and developing lung cells in embryos turn many of the same genes on and off. They also say the genes involved can tell doctors who will survive.
The researchers examined gene activity in 17 samples of normal human lung tissue and 186 human lung adenocarcinomas. They then compared it with the gene activity that occurs during normal embryonic lung development in mice.
They discovered that gene expression in normal human lung tissue resembled gene expression seen late in lung development in mice. Tumors with late-development gene expression had the best prognoses, and tumors with gene expression typical of very early lung development had shorter survival times.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will provide researchers with new strategies for earlier detection and effective treatment of lung as well as other forms of cancer.
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered that lung cancer cells and developing lung cells in embryos turn many of the same genes on and off. They also say the genes involved can tell doctors who will survive.
The researchers examined gene activity in 17 samples of normal human lung tissue and 186 human lung adenocarcinomas. They then compared it with the gene activity that occurs during normal embryonic lung development in mice.
They discovered that gene expression in normal human lung tissue resembled gene expression seen late in lung development in mice. Tumors with late-development gene expression had the best prognoses, and tumors with gene expression typical of very early lung development had shorter survival times.
Commentary: Hopefully this finding will provide researchers with new strategies for earlier detection and effective treatment of lung as well as other forms of cancer.
Healing the heart with bone marrow cells
Source: University of Toronto
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
A study by researchers at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Toronto General Hospital has revealed the 'SOS' distress signal that mobilizes specific heart repair cells from the bone marrow to the injured heart after a heart attack. The researchers say this study identifies the method the body employs to repair the heart and provides new therapies to stimulate cardiac regeneration and prevent heart failure in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
Commentary: This research seems promising in producing new strategies to use bone marrow stem cells to both prevent and treat heart attacks.
Posted: July 4, 2006
Summary:
A study by researchers at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Toronto General Hospital has revealed the 'SOS' distress signal that mobilizes specific heart repair cells from the bone marrow to the injured heart after a heart attack. The researchers say this study identifies the method the body employs to repair the heart and provides new therapies to stimulate cardiac regeneration and prevent heart failure in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
Commentary: This research seems promising in producing new strategies to use bone marrow stem cells to both prevent and treat heart attacks.
T-cells from stem cells could help AIDS
Source: United Press International
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Mature T-cells have been developed for the first time from human embryonic stem cells, and the U.S. researchers involved hope a new AIDS therapy will follow.
The mouse bone marrow encouraged the human stem cells to develop into blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells. The new hematopoietic cells were then injected into a human thymus gland implanted in a mouse, and the thymus gland (where T-cells develop) changed them into T-cells.
The team hopes their process will lead to new therapies for AIDS and other T-cell diseases.
Commentary: Hopefully these results can be replicated in humans with T-cell diseases.
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Mature T-cells have been developed for the first time from human embryonic stem cells, and the U.S. researchers involved hope a new AIDS therapy will follow.
The mouse bone marrow encouraged the human stem cells to develop into blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells. The new hematopoietic cells were then injected into a human thymus gland implanted in a mouse, and the thymus gland (where T-cells develop) changed them into T-cells.
The team hopes their process will lead to new therapies for AIDS and other T-cell diseases.
Commentary: Hopefully these results can be replicated in humans with T-cell diseases.
UCLA researchers develop T-cells from human embryonic stem cells
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Posted: July 3, 2006
Summary:
Researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated and coaxed to develop into mature T-cells, raising hopes for a gene therapy to combat AIDS.
The study, to be published the week of July 3 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that it is possible to convert human embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that in turn can differentiate into the helper T-cells that HIV specifically targets. T-cells are one of the body's main defenses against disease. Researchers said the results mark the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.
Commentary: This study appears to be a promising basis for further research into using stem cells to treat immune diseases and disorders.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
'Virgin birth' stem cells bypass ethical objections
Source: NewScientist.com news service
Posted: 13:12 02 July 2006
Summary:
"VIRGIN-BIRTH" embryos have given rise to human embryonic stem cells capable of differentiating into neurons. The embryos were produced by parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which eggs can develop into embryos without being fertilised by sperm. The technique could lead to a source of embryonic stem (ES) cells that could be used therapeutically without having to destroy a viable embryo.
Commentary: Hopefully the fact that it seems possible to create human embryonic stem cells from asexual reproduction will accelerate research using embryonic stem cells to treat diseases while avoiding the ethical controversy some have with embryonic stem cells created by sexual reproduction.
Posted: 13:12 02 July 2006
Summary:
"VIRGIN-BIRTH" embryos have given rise to human embryonic stem cells capable of differentiating into neurons. The embryos were produced by parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which eggs can develop into embryos without being fertilised by sperm. The technique could lead to a source of embryonic stem (ES) cells that could be used therapeutically without having to destroy a viable embryo.
Commentary: Hopefully the fact that it seems possible to create human embryonic stem cells from asexual reproduction will accelerate research using embryonic stem cells to treat diseases while avoiding the ethical controversy some have with embryonic stem cells created by sexual reproduction.
Another Stem Cell First For University Of Toronto And Canada
Source: University of Toronto
Posted: July 2, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have developed novel technology to extract an abundant population of human umbilical cord perivascular (HUCPVCs) cells found in the umbilical cord tissue surrounding the cord vessels, also known as "Wharton's jelly".
This source of mesenchymal progenitor stem cell is multi-potential, meaning the same group of cells can be triggered to create bone, muscle and other tissue when cultured in various media and the possibilities are vast.
Commentary: Hopefully this will lead to effective therapeutic applications of cordblood and bone marrow stem cells in regenerative medicine to repair damaged human tissue.
Posted: July 2, 2006
Summary:
Researchers have developed novel technology to extract an abundant population of human umbilical cord perivascular (HUCPVCs) cells found in the umbilical cord tissue surrounding the cord vessels, also known as "Wharton's jelly".
This source of mesenchymal progenitor stem cell is multi-potential, meaning the same group of cells can be triggered to create bone, muscle and other tissue when cultured in various media and the possibilities are vast.
Commentary: Hopefully this will lead to effective therapeutic applications of cordblood and bone marrow stem cells in regenerative medicine to repair damaged human tissue.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Researchers prove lung stem cells exist
Source: Taipei Times
Posted: June 14, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the Genomic Research Center of the Academia Sinica announced yesterday they had proved the existence of lung stem cells, which are an important target of infection for the SARS virus.
The team noticed that only one unique cell population was infected by the SARS virus.
They found that this specific group of cells had the characteristics of embryonic stem cells.
The team concluded that infected lung stem cells account for the deterioration of lung tissue and loss of capacity for lung repair in the later stage of infection.
Commentary: Maybe this could lead to treatments for lung cancer and respiratory diseases and illnesses.
Posted: June 14, 2006
Summary:
Scientists at the Genomic Research Center of the Academia Sinica announced yesterday they had proved the existence of lung stem cells, which are an important target of infection for the SARS virus.
The team noticed that only one unique cell population was infected by the SARS virus.
They found that this specific group of cells had the characteristics of embryonic stem cells.
The team concluded that infected lung stem cells account for the deterioration of lung tissue and loss of capacity for lung repair in the later stage of infection.
Commentary: Maybe this could lead to treatments for lung cancer and respiratory diseases and illnesses.
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