Stem Cells News and Research

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Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Study: Gene editing may correct genetic mutation responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare but devastating genetic disorder that causes muscle loss and physical impairments.

18 Sep 2019

New technology helps trace the origin of Huntington's disease

The first signs of Huntington's, an inherited disease that slowly deteriorates bodies and minds, don't typically surface until middle age.

18 Sep 2019

New results revealed from pilot stem cell study for stroke

Researchers led by Sean I. Savitz, MD, reported today in the journal Stem Cells that bone marrow cells used to treat ischemic stroke in an expanded Phase I trial were not only safe and feasible, but also resulted in enhanced recovery compared to a matched historical control group.

17 Sep 2019

Pros and cons of gene editing technology

CRISPR technology has greatly facilitated gene editing. Associate Professor Thorsten Müller from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Dr. Hassan Bukhari from Harvard Medical School discuss its pros and cons in a review article in the journal "Trends in Cell Biology" from 12 September 2019.

17 Sep 2019

Strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease impairs function of human microglia

A study carried out with a new human stem cell-derived model reveals that the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), impairs the function of human brain immune cells, microglia. These findings pave the way for new, effective treatment approaches for AD. The results were published in Stem Cell Reports.

17 Sep 2019

Chemist explores link between Alzheimer's and copper protein molecules in brain cells

A University of Houston chemist is exploring the link between copper protein molecules in brain cells and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

17 Sep 2019

Cure for Rett Syndrome a step closer as scientists successfully reactivate 'back-up’ genes

A team headed by Vincent Pasque at his Lab at KU Leuven alongside researchers from the Jean-Christophe Marine lab and the Edith Heard lab have made a significant step towards developing a treatment for Rett syndrome and other X chromosome linked disorders.

17 Sep 2019

Editing away cancer and HIV in China: win or lose?

Scientists in China recently edited out the CCR5 gene from a patient with HIV's stem cells, but the research has sparked ethical debate.

13 Sep 2019

Bone marrow cells contribute to pregnancy success in mouse model

Scientists report that stem cells derived from the adult bone marrow can dictate whether a woman becomes pregnant.

13 Sep 2019

New gene therapy helps stroke patients develop new neurons

Ischemic stroke is a condition in which parts of the brain lose their blood supply, causing nerve damage. Once brain tissue suffers irreparable harm, the patient will experience irreversible disability or death, depending on the extent of neuronal loss.

12 Sep 2019

Forbidden fruit: Scientists venture into “embryoid” manufacturing

After working on stem cells for several years, scientists have now announced that they have found a way to synthesize structures that look like very primitive human embryos. While some hailed the discovery, others questioned the ethical basis of manufacturing synthetic humans.

12 Sep 2019

Scientists attempt to cure HIV using CRISPR, with varying results

Scientists have used the gene-editing technology CRISPR in an attempt to cure a person infected with HIV, with some success.

12 Sep 2019

Scientists discover major regulator of schizophrenia that is active during early development

Researchers have discovered a gene that acts as a master regulator of schizophrenia during the early stages of human brain development.

12 Sep 2019

Scientists use CAR-T cells to reverse cardiac fibrosis

Scientists have used CAR-T cell therapy to treat cardiac fibrosis, a key part of heart disease and cardiac arrest.

12 Sep 2019

A gene that acts as master regulator of schizophrenia identified

Using computational tools to investigate gene transcription networks in large collections of brain tissues, a scientific team has identified a gene that acts as a master regulator of schizophrenia during early human brain development.

11 Sep 2019

LMRI scientists discover cause of debilitating eye disease

Scientists at the Lowy Medical Research Institute have discovered one cause of a progressive, debilitating eye disease called macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).

11 Sep 2019

Researchers discover potential of antihistamines that cause death of leukemic stem cells

Ruth M. Risueño leads the Leukaemic Stem Cell group of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute. This group investigates Acute Myeloid Leukemia and the cell population responsible for the disease spreading, persisting, and if it has been treated and overcome, reappear.

6 Sep 2019

Neurobiological pathophysiology of schizophrenia differs based on gender

The neurobiological pathophysiology of schizophrenia differs significantly between males and females, according to a new study.

4 Sep 2019

Study links FAK protein to chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer

Although the number of women being diagnosed and dying of ovarian cancer is declining, recurrence, drug resistance and mortality remain high for women with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the most common form of epithelial ovarian cancer.

3 Sep 2019

New pathological mediator of ALS found

A research collaboration based in Japan has found a new pathological mediator of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which could have further implications for understanding the molecular breakdown that gives rise to the neurodegenerative disease that affects nearly half a million people around the world.

3 Sep 2019