Source: Weizmann Institute of Science
Date: June 26, 2008
Summary:
Scientists have developed a mathematical model to describe interactions that occur within genetic networks of an embryo, answering the age-old question of how half embryos are able to maintain their tissues and organs in the correct proportions despite being smaller than a normal sized embryo. Understanding the processes that govern embryonic cell development, may lead, in the future, to scientists being able to repair injured tissues.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ronin an alternate control for embryonic stem cells
Source: Baylor College of Medicine
Date: June 26, 2008
Summary:
Like the masterless samurai for whom it is named, the protein Ronin chooses an independent path, maintaining embryonic stem cells in their undifferentiated state and playing essential roles in genesis of embryos and their development, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers who reported on this novel cellular regulator in the current issue of the journal Cell.
Date: June 26, 2008
Summary:
Like the masterless samurai for whom it is named, the protein Ronin chooses an independent path, maintaining embryonic stem cells in their undifferentiated state and playing essential roles in genesis of embryos and their development, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers who reported on this novel cellular regulator in the current issue of the journal Cell.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Repairing damage to brain may be nearer: Study gets stem cells to function in mice
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
Date: June 25, 2008
Summary:
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research successfully turned embryonic stem cells into nerve cells in mice:
"A team of San Diego scientists has moved embryonic stem cell research a step closer to helping repair the brains of stroke victims and people with diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The team, led by the Burnham Institute's Stuart Lipton, figured out how to coax the embryonic stem cells of mice to become nerve cells that, when transplanted into a mouse brain damaged by stroke, link themselves to the existing network of neurons."
Date: June 25, 2008
Summary:
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research successfully turned embryonic stem cells into nerve cells in mice:
"A team of San Diego scientists has moved embryonic stem cell research a step closer to helping repair the brains of stroke victims and people with diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The team, led by the Burnham Institute's Stuart Lipton, figured out how to coax the embryonic stem cells of mice to become nerve cells that, when transplanted into a mouse brain damaged by stroke, link themselves to the existing network of neurons."
Nerve Cells Derived From Stem Cells And Transplanted Into Mice May Lead To Improved Brain Treatments
Source: Burnham Institute for Medical Research
Date: June 25, 2008
Summary:
Scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have, for the first time, genetically programmed embryonic stem (ES) cells to become nerve cells when transplanted into the brain, according to a study published today in The Journal of Neuroscience. The research, an important step toward developing new treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurological conditions showed that mice afflicted by stroke showed tangible therapeutic improvement following transplantation of these cells. None of the mice formed tumors, which had been a major setback in prior attempts at stem cell transplantation.
Date: June 25, 2008
Summary:
Scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have, for the first time, genetically programmed embryonic stem (ES) cells to become nerve cells when transplanted into the brain, according to a study published today in The Journal of Neuroscience. The research, an important step toward developing new treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurological conditions showed that mice afflicted by stroke showed tangible therapeutic improvement following transplantation of these cells. None of the mice formed tumors, which had been a major setback in prior attempts at stem cell transplantation.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
New Source Of Heart Stem Cells Discovered
Source: Children's Hospital Boston
Date: June 22, 2008
Summary:
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston are continuing to document the heart's earliest origins. Now, they have pinpointed a new, previously unrecognized group of stem cells that give rise to cardiomyocytes, or heart muscle cells. These stem cells, located in the surface of the heart, or epicardium, advance the hope of being able to regenerate injured heart tissue. This finding, published online by the journal Nature on June 22, comes on the heels of parallel cardiac stem cell discoveries in 2006, at both Children's and Massachusetts General Hospital. Then, the Children's team found that a specific stem cell or progenitor, marked by expression of a gene called Nkx2-5, forms many components of the heart: heart muscle cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and the endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the heart's left-sided chambers. The team at MGH found a related progenitor, marked by expression of the Isl1 gene, that produces these same cell-types in the right-sided heart chambers. Now, researchers at Children's have shown that heart muscle cells can also be derived from a third type of cardiac progenitor, located within the epicardium and identifiable through its expression of a gene called Wt1.
Date: June 22, 2008
Summary:
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston are continuing to document the heart's earliest origins. Now, they have pinpointed a new, previously unrecognized group of stem cells that give rise to cardiomyocytes, or heart muscle cells. These stem cells, located in the surface of the heart, or epicardium, advance the hope of being able to regenerate injured heart tissue. This finding, published online by the journal Nature on June 22, comes on the heels of parallel cardiac stem cell discoveries in 2006, at both Children's and Massachusetts General Hospital. Then, the Children's team found that a specific stem cell or progenitor, marked by expression of a gene called Nkx2-5, forms many components of the heart: heart muscle cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and the endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the heart's left-sided chambers. The team at MGH found a related progenitor, marked by expression of the Isl1 gene, that produces these same cell-types in the right-sided heart chambers. Now, researchers at Children's have shown that heart muscle cells can also be derived from a third type of cardiac progenitor, located within the epicardium and identifiable through its expression of a gene called Wt1.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Scientists use 'biological alchemy' to convert one cell type into another
Source: Daily Telegraph - UK
Posted: 18 June 2008 6:01pm BST
Summary:
Scientists converted specialist "pancreatic exocrine cells" that secrete digestive enzymes, into beta cells, which make the hormone insulin to control blood sugar levels. This was achieved by locating genes that control how the genetic code is interpreted by cells to turn them into brain, bone, heart and other human cell types. The scientists discovered nine so called transcription factor genes were important for beta cell production. Using a standard method of genetic modification where a virus is used to introduced a gene, they injected the viruses into the pancreases of lab mice and found that some of the pancreatic exocrine cells turned into fully functional beta cells and produced insulin.
Posted: 18 June 2008 6:01pm BST
Summary:
Scientists converted specialist "pancreatic exocrine cells" that secrete digestive enzymes, into beta cells, which make the hormone insulin to control blood sugar levels. This was achieved by locating genes that control how the genetic code is interpreted by cells to turn them into brain, bone, heart and other human cell types. The scientists discovered nine so called transcription factor genes were important for beta cell production. Using a standard method of genetic modification where a virus is used to introduced a gene, they injected the viruses into the pancreases of lab mice and found that some of the pancreatic exocrine cells turned into fully functional beta cells and produced insulin.
Patient's own infection-fighting T cells put late-stage melanoma into long-term remission — without chemotherapy or radiation
Source: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Date: June 18, 2008
Summary:
Researchers describe the first successful use of a human patient's cloned infection-fighting T cells as the sole therapy to put an advanced solid-tumor cancer into long-term remission. A team led by Cassian Yee, M.D., an associate member of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, reports these findings in the June 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Date: June 18, 2008
Summary:
Researchers describe the first successful use of a human patient's cloned infection-fighting T cells as the sole therapy to put an advanced solid-tumor cancer into long-term remission. A team led by Cassian Yee, M.D., an associate member of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, reports these findings in the June 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures
Source: HealthDay News
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
HealthDay News reports on a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill using adult stem cells to improve healing of bone fractures:
"The UNC team used adult stem cells to heal fractures of the tibia (the long bone of the leg) in mice. The bone marrow-derived stem cells were engineered to express insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which help bones grow in strength and size. The transplanted stem cells migrated to the site of the fracture and improved healing by increasing the bone and cartilage that bridged the break."
The story continues to describe the procedure implemented in and results obtained from the study:
"The UNC team used adult stem cells to heal fractures of the tibia (the long bone of the leg) in mice. The bone marrow-derived stem cells were engineered to express insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which help bones grow in strength and size. The transplanted stem cells migrated to the site of the fracture and improved healing by increasing the bone and cartilage that bridged the break. The bone at the fracture site of the mice that received stem cell transplants was three time stronger than healed fractures in untreated mice, the team reported."
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
HealthDay News reports on a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill using adult stem cells to improve healing of bone fractures:
"The UNC team used adult stem cells to heal fractures of the tibia (the long bone of the leg) in mice. The bone marrow-derived stem cells were engineered to express insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which help bones grow in strength and size. The transplanted stem cells migrated to the site of the fracture and improved healing by increasing the bone and cartilage that bridged the break."
The story continues to describe the procedure implemented in and results obtained from the study:
"The UNC team used adult stem cells to heal fractures of the tibia (the long bone of the leg) in mice. The bone marrow-derived stem cells were engineered to express insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which help bones grow in strength and size. The transplanted stem cells migrated to the site of the fracture and improved healing by increasing the bone and cartilage that bridged the break. The bone at the fracture site of the mice that received stem cell transplants was three time stronger than healed fractures in untreated mice, the team reported."
Stem cells may help heal broken bones
Source: Raleigh News & Observer
Published: June 17, 2008 12:30 AM Modified: June 17, 2008 05:23 AM
Summary:
The Raleigh News & Observer reports researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have made progress in using adult bone marrow stem cells to heal broken bones and bone fractures:
"Medical researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill announced Monday that they have made strides in the technology to rebuild damaged bone tissue using stem cells. The research team, led by Dr. Anna Spagnoli, an associate professor of pediatrics at UNC-CH, derived the stem cells from bone marrow samples to locate and repair broken bones in mice. Now the work is poised to move to humans."
Published: June 17, 2008 12:30 AM Modified: June 17, 2008 05:23 AM
Summary:
The Raleigh News & Observer reports researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have made progress in using adult bone marrow stem cells to heal broken bones and bone fractures:
"Medical researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill announced Monday that they have made strides in the technology to rebuild damaged bone tissue using stem cells. The research team, led by Dr. Anna Spagnoli, an associate professor of pediatrics at UNC-CH, derived the stem cells from bone marrow samples to locate and repair broken bones in mice. Now the work is poised to move to humans."
Stem Cells to Fight Muscle Aging
Source: Ivanhoe Newswire
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
Ivanhoe Newswire reports on a study in which adult stem cells were shown to stop the effects of aging, including muscle degeneration, in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases:
"A recent study on mice shows stem cells may be able to stop the effects of aging on muscles, which could prevent conditions like muscle atrophy and Parkinson’s disease. Adult stem cells in muscles have a receptor called Notch that, when activated, tells them to grow and divide. As the body ages, this receptor’s activity is inhibited by the activity of another receptor for the protein TGF-beta. These two pathways -- one an aging pathway, one a youthful pathway -- compete for control of stem cell growth and division."
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
Ivanhoe Newswire reports on a study in which adult stem cells were shown to stop the effects of aging, including muscle degeneration, in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases:
"A recent study on mice shows stem cells may be able to stop the effects of aging on muscles, which could prevent conditions like muscle atrophy and Parkinson’s disease. Adult stem cells in muscles have a receptor called Notch that, when activated, tells them to grow and divide. As the body ages, this receptor’s activity is inhibited by the activity of another receptor for the protein TGF-beta. These two pathways -- one an aging pathway, one a youthful pathway -- compete for control of stem cell growth and division."
Researchers find key developmental pathway activates lung stem cells
Source: University of Pennsylvania
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that the activation of a molecular pathway important in stem cell and developmental biology leads to an increase in lung stem cells. Harnessing this knowledge could help develop therapies for lung-tissue repair after injury or disease. The investigators published their findings online last week in advance of print publication in Nature Genetics.
Date: June 17, 2008
Summary:
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that the activation of a molecular pathway important in stem cell and developmental biology leads to an increase in lung stem cells. Harnessing this knowledge could help develop therapies for lung-tissue repair after injury or disease. The investigators published their findings online last week in advance of print publication in Nature Genetics.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Lou Gehrig's protein found throughout brain, suggesting effects beyond motor neurons
Source: University of Pennsylvania
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
Two years ago researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that misfolded proteins called TDP-43 accumulated in the motor areas of the brains of patients with amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. Now, the same group has shown that TDP-43 accumulates throughout the brain, suggesting ALS has broader neurological effects than previously appreciated and treatments need to take into account more than motor neuron areas. Their article appeared in last month's issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
Two years ago researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that misfolded proteins called TDP-43 accumulated in the motor areas of the brains of patients with amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. Now, the same group has shown that TDP-43 accumulates throughout the brain, suggesting ALS has broader neurological effects than previously appreciated and treatments need to take into account more than motor neuron areas. Their article appeared in last month's issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Adult Stem Cells Aid Fracture Healing; Study Lays Groundwork for Potential Treatments
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
In an approach that could become a new treatment for the 10 to 20 percent of people whose broken bones fail to heal, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have shown that transplantation of adult stem cells can improve healing of fractures. Researchers have used adult stem cells in a few cases to improve fracture healing, but further studies were needed to show that this method was truly effective and safe before it can be pursued as a new treatment. Now scientists at UNC have provided the scientific foundation for future clinical trials of this approach by demonstrating in animal models that these cells can be used to repair broken bones.
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
In an approach that could become a new treatment for the 10 to 20 percent of people whose broken bones fail to heal, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have shown that transplantation of adult stem cells can improve healing of fractures. Researchers have used adult stem cells in a few cases to improve fracture healing, but further studies were needed to show that this method was truly effective and safe before it can be pursued as a new treatment. Now scientists at UNC have provided the scientific foundation for future clinical trials of this approach by demonstrating in animal models that these cells can be used to repair broken bones.
Old muscle gets new pep in UC Berkeley stem cell study
Source: University of California - Berkeley
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
Old muscle got a shot of youthful vigor in a stem cell experiment by bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, setting the path for research on new treatments for age-related degenerative conditions such as muscle atrophy or Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In a new study published June 15 in an advanced online issue of the journal Nature, researchers identified two key regulatory pathways that control how well adult stem cells repair and replace damaged tissue. They then tweaked how those stem cells reacted to those biochemical signals to revive the ability of muscle tissue in old mice to repair itself nearly as well as the muscle in the mice's much younger counterparts.
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
Old muscle got a shot of youthful vigor in a stem cell experiment by bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, setting the path for research on new treatments for age-related degenerative conditions such as muscle atrophy or Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In a new study published June 15 in an advanced online issue of the journal Nature, researchers identified two key regulatory pathways that control how well adult stem cells repair and replace damaged tissue. They then tweaked how those stem cells reacted to those biochemical signals to revive the ability of muscle tissue in old mice to repair itself nearly as well as the muscle in the mice's much younger counterparts.
Research illuminates how stem cells may work
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
The San Francisco Chronicle reports researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have gained new insight into how stem cells might function:
"UC Berkeley scientists are a step closer to understanding how a series of molecular switches can turn on or off the regenerative power of stem cells that normally build new muscle tissue after it has been damaged. The research, conducted on laboratory mice, is years away from practical therapies for human beings. Nevertheless, this latest work, published online Sunday by the journal Nature, provides insight into how scientists are dissecting, step-by-step, the processes that govern how stem cells work. A goal of such research is to find ways to intervene and control these molecular switches - to improve healing and perhaps slow the effects of aging."
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
The San Francisco Chronicle reports researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have gained new insight into how stem cells might function:
"UC Berkeley scientists are a step closer to understanding how a series of molecular switches can turn on or off the regenerative power of stem cells that normally build new muscle tissue after it has been damaged. The research, conducted on laboratory mice, is years away from practical therapies for human beings. Nevertheless, this latest work, published online Sunday by the journal Nature, provides insight into how scientists are dissecting, step-by-step, the processes that govern how stem cells work. A goal of such research is to find ways to intervene and control these molecular switches - to improve healing and perhaps slow the effects of aging."
Ability to track stem cells in tumors could advance cancer treatments
Source: Society of Nuclear Medicine
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
NEW ORLEANS, La.—Using noninvasive molecular imaging technology, a method has been developed to track the location and activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the tumors of living organisms, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting. This ability could lead to major advances in the use of stem cell therapies to treat cancer.
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary:
NEW ORLEANS, La.—Using noninvasive molecular imaging technology, a method has been developed to track the location and activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the tumors of living organisms, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting. This ability could lead to major advances in the use of stem cell therapies to treat cancer.
Stem cell researchers give old muscle new pep
Source: University of California - Berkeley
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary;
Old muscle got a shot of youthful vigor in a stem cell experiment by bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, setting the path for research on new treatments for age-related degenerative conditions such as muscle atrophy or Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In a new study to be published June 15 in an advanced online issue of the journal Nature, researchers identified two key regulatory pathways that control how well adult stem cells repair and replace damaged tissue. They then tweaked how those stem cells reacted to those biochemical signals to revive the ability of muscle tissue in old mice to repair itself nearly as well as the muscle in the mice's much younger counterparts.
Date: June 16, 2008
Summary;
Old muscle got a shot of youthful vigor in a stem cell experiment by bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, setting the path for research on new treatments for age-related degenerative conditions such as muscle atrophy or Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In a new study to be published June 15 in an advanced online issue of the journal Nature, researchers identified two key regulatory pathways that control how well adult stem cells repair and replace damaged tissue. They then tweaked how those stem cells reacted to those biochemical signals to revive the ability of muscle tissue in old mice to repair itself nearly as well as the muscle in the mice's much younger counterparts.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Researchers create molecule that nudges nerve stem cells to mature
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Date: June 15, 2008
Summary:
Inspired by a chance discovery during another experiment, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created a small molecule that stimulates nerve stem cells to begin maturing into nerve cells in culture. This finding might someday allow a person's own nerve stem cells to be grown outside the body, stimulated into maturity, and then re-implanted as working nerve cells to treat various diseases, the researchers said.
Date: June 15, 2008
Summary:
Inspired by a chance discovery during another experiment, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created a small molecule that stimulates nerve stem cells to begin maturing into nerve cells in culture. This finding might someday allow a person's own nerve stem cells to be grown outside the body, stimulated into maturity, and then re-implanted as working nerve cells to treat various diseases, the researchers said.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Stem cell method improved
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Date: June 14, 2008
Summary:
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports researchers have found a method to improve reprogramming adult stem cells into an emnbryonic stem cell-like state:
"One of the two stem cell scientists who achieved a major breakthrough last November by reprogramming human skin cells back to an embryonic state has found a way to boost the efficiency of the procedure, though he told more than 2,000 fellow researchers that challenges remain. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease — who pioneered the reprogramming method in mice in 2006, then shared the breakthrough in human cells with James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — said that he had achieved better results by combining his method with Thomson’s."
Date: June 14, 2008
Summary:
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports researchers have found a method to improve reprogramming adult stem cells into an emnbryonic stem cell-like state:
"One of the two stem cell scientists who achieved a major breakthrough last November by reprogramming human skin cells back to an embryonic state has found a way to boost the efficiency of the procedure, though he told more than 2,000 fellow researchers that challenges remain. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease — who pioneered the reprogramming method in mice in 2006, then shared the breakthrough in human cells with James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — said that he had achieved better results by combining his method with Thomson’s."
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wealth of genomic hotspots discovered in embryonic stem cells
Source: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Date: June 13, 2008
Summary:
In a paper published in Cell on June 13, 2008, Singapore scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) unveil an atlas that showing the location of "genomic hotspots" of essential protein "switches" (transcription factors) that are critical for maintaining the embryonic stem (ES) cell state. Using advanced high throughput sequencing technology, the scientists discovered over 3,000 hotspots. These findings could improve understanding of the unique properties of stem cells that enable them to maintain their intriguing ability to grow and differentiate to virtually any cell type.
Date: June 13, 2008
Summary:
In a paper published in Cell on June 13, 2008, Singapore scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) unveil an atlas that showing the location of "genomic hotspots" of essential protein "switches" (transcription factors) that are critical for maintaining the embryonic stem (ES) cell state. Using advanced high throughput sequencing technology, the scientists discovered over 3,000 hotspots. These findings could improve understanding of the unique properties of stem cells that enable them to maintain their intriguing ability to grow and differentiate to virtually any cell type.
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