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.

NIH-funded researchers use CRISPR to rapidly find new genetic suspects behind ALS, FTD

NIH-funded researchers at Stanford University used the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to rapidly identify genes in the human genome that might modify the severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia caused by mutations in a gene called C9orf72.

13 Mar 2018

Researchers find link between increased proteostasis and immortality of stem cells

Stem cells are considered to be immortal in culture and, therefore, of great interest for aging research. This immortality is regulated by increased proteostasis, which controls the quality of proteins.

8 Mar 2018

Research reveals neuroprotective mechanisms of gene and cell medications for spinal cord injuries

A joint paper with Kazan State Medical University appeared in Stem Cells International. The research was based at the Gene and Cell Technologies Lab of Kazan University.

8 Mar 2018

Scientists discover 36 previously unknown genes implicated in heart failure

One in four deaths in the United States each year are due to heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's the leading killer of both men and women, but the disease's genetic complexity makes it difficult to treat.

8 Mar 2018

Neurogenesis diminishes after childhood, finds study

In a recent study, scientists concluded that adult neurogenesis, which is seen in other species, does not occur in human beings.

8 Mar 2018

New study identifies the body's 'glucostat'

It is the pancreatic islets that have the overall responsibility for maintaining normal blood glucose levels in our bodies, according to a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA.

6 Mar 2018

Duke scientists pinpoint new therapeutic target for macular degeneration

Duke Researchers have pinpointed a new therapeutic target for macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects over 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 60.

6 Mar 2018

New technique provides pairs of genetically matched cells to study disease

Researchers led by Dr. Knut Woltjen report a new gene editing method that can modify a single DNA base in the human genome with absolute precision.

6 Mar 2018

Johns Hopkins doctors successfully transplant hepatitis C-infected kidneys into virus-free patients

In a small study, doctors at Johns Hopkins have successfully transplanted 10 hepatitis C-infected kidneys into patients without hepatitis C and prevented the patients from becoming infected by hepatitis C. The success of these transplants could mean more organs being available for the nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. currently waiting for a kidney transplant.

6 Mar 2018

New and improved CRISPR

David Liu, professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Harvard University is a pioneer of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. He has now come up with two new upgrades for this gene editing tool that makes it better than before. These two tools are “cellular detective” and “sharp scissors”.

5 Mar 2018

Scientists develop more cost-effective way to culture stem cells

Human pluripotent stem cells can infinitely self-renew and develop into all major cell types in the body, making them important for organ repair and replacement. But culturing them in large quantities can be expensive. Now, scientists at Japan's Kyoto University, with colleagues in India and Iran, have developed a more cost-effective culture by using a new combination of chemical compounds.

5 Mar 2018

Study pinpoints gene that plays direct role in neurodevelopmental disorders

A study led by researchers at McMaster University has pinpointed a gene that is responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.

5 Mar 2018

Plymouth researcher receives grant to further investigate causes of hereditary neuro-tumors

The University of Plymouth will be continuing its research into the advancement of neuro-tumor treatments thanks to more than £100,000 from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Sparks, the medical research charity.

5 Mar 2018

Scientists identify genes involved in age-related brain deterioration

A group of genes and genetic switches involved in age-related brain deterioration have been identified by scientists at the Babraham Institute, Cambridge and Sapienza University, Rome.

5 Mar 2018

Researchers develop method to make adult cardiomyocytes divide and repair damaged hearts

Some organisms have a remarkable capacity for regenerating tissue. If a fish or salamander suffers heart damage, for instance, their cells are able to divide and successfully repair the injured organ. Imagine if you could do the same.

2 Mar 2018

Study sheds light on a key protein associated with brain diseases and dementia

A new study has increased understanding of the connection between angiogenin and neurological disorders such as ALS and Fronto-temporal dementia.

1 Mar 2018

New study provides better understanding of asymmetric cell division

Stem cells are the basic material from which mature, specialised cells such as muscle and blood cells are produced -- this process is known as differentiation.

28 Feb 2018

Unique progenitor cells in the pancreas have potential to develop glucose-responsive beta cells

Scientists from the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have confirmed the existence of progenitor cells within the human pancreas that can be stimulated to develop into glucose-responsive beta cells.

28 Feb 2018

Pancreatic progenitor cells could be used to treat diabetes, suggests study

Researchers have confirmed the existence of progenitor cells in the pancreas that can be stimulated to turn into glucose-responsive beta cells.

28 Feb 2018

Researchers successfully graft human neural stem cells into monkeys with spinal cord injuries

Led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, a diverse team of neuroscientists and surgeons successfully grafted human neural progenitor cells into rhesus monkeys with spinal cord injuries.

27 Feb 2018