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.

Mammal muscle turned into biological raw material for new limb

Move over, newts and salamanders. The mouse may join you as the only animal that can re-grow their own severed limbs. Researchers are reporting that a simple chemical cocktail can coax mouse muscle fibers to become the kinds of cells found in the first stages of a regenerating limb. Their study, the first demonstration that mammal muscle can be turned into the biological raw material for a new limb, appears in the journal ACS Chemical Biology.

8 Apr 2011

Symposium to discuss about controversies over politicization of science

Science is playing an increasingly prominent role in many controversial political, religious and socio-economic debates, such as those about embryonic stem cells, genetically modified foods, teaching evolution and climate change.

8 Apr 2011

Scientists discover unknown function of dopamine in brain

A study of the salamander brain has led researchers at Karolinska Institutet to discover a hitherto unknown function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In an article published in the scientific journal Cell Stem Cell they show how in acting as a kind of switch for stem cells, dopamine controls the formation of new neurons in the adult brain. Their findings may one day contribute to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's.

8 Apr 2011

BioParadox's VitaKine PCT can serve as promising therapy for heart attack patients

BioParadox, Inc., a regenerative medicine company pioneering point-of-care biologic treatments for cardiovascular disease, today announced data supporting the use of VitaKine- Platelet Cell Therapy as a promising treatment for heart attack patients.

8 Apr 2011

DSP, BBI sign license agreement for BBI608

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. and Boston Biomedical, Inc., today announced that they have signed a Product Option License Agreement for BBI608 for all oncology indications in Japan and exclusive right of negotiation for BBI608 for the United States and Canada.

7 Apr 2011

Neuralstem to present HSSC Phase I trial data in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at AAN meeting

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the Phase I safety trial of its human spinal cord stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the subject of three presentations at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, April 9-16th, in Honolulu, HI.

7 Apr 2011

CEM to reconvene its popular 'Methods in Bioengineering' conference on July 14-15

The Center for Engineering in Medicine -- a bioengineering research institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Teaching Hospital -- has announced it will reconvene its popular "Methods in Bioengineering" conference in conjunction with event organizer Horizon House Ltd.

7 Apr 2011

Living human taste cells maintained in culture for seven months

Following years of futile attempts, new research from the Monell Center demonstrates that living human taste cells can be maintained in culture for at least seven months. The findings provide scientists with a valuable tool to learn about the human sense of taste and how it functions in health and disease.

7 Apr 2011

Seattle Genetics presents SGN-35 study data in Hodgkin lymphoma at EBMT meeting

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today announced that data from a case series of Hodgkin lymphoma patients receiving brentuximab vedotin following allogeneic stem cell transplant were presented in an oral session at the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Annual Meeting in Paris, France.

7 Apr 2011

Cernostics, Definiens enter partnership to develop unique cancer assay

Definiens, the number one Health Image Intelligence company, and Cernostics, a life sciences firm specializing in advanced cancer diagnostics, today announced a partnership to develop a unique multiplexed assay tool for the diagnosis of cancer.

7 Apr 2011

USPTO issues notice of allowance to Mirna's mir34a patent application

Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed patent claims related to the therapeutic application of the potent tumor suppressor microRNA, mir34a.

7 Apr 2011

Record number of medicines for various cancers in clinical trials

A record 887 medicines for various of cancers are in clinical trials or awaiting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review—well over double the number in the pipeline just six years ago, according to a report unveiled today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

6 Apr 2011

Having children early in life lowers lifetime risk of breast cancer

Women who have children, particularly early in life, have a lower lifetime risk of breast cancer compared with women who do not. Now, Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers have identified a gene expression pattern in breast tissue that differs between post-menopausal women who had children and post-menopausal women who did not.

6 Apr 2011

Expression of key tumor suppressor protein induces premature aging

Cancer risk increases with age, and scientists have long perceived a possible evolutionary tradeoff between longer lifespan and greater risk of cancer. Now, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center find direct evidence for that tradeoff in new data showing that expression of a key tumor suppressor protein induces premature aging in mice.

6 Apr 2011

Scientists uncover SREBP-2 role in autophagy and cholesterol generation

Not all cholesterol is bad. Every cell requires it for growth - they either have to get cholesterol somewhere or they die. In a new study published April 6 in the journal Cell Metabolism, researchers from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and their collaborators found that a protein sensor known to balance cholesterol sources can also access a previously underappreciated cellular fat storage depot.

6 Apr 2011

Zebrafish research suggests new drug targets and markers to help treat melanoma

Thanks to the zebrafish, there is new hope for people with melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer that is responsible for approximately 8,700 deaths each year in the United States.

5 Apr 2011

La Jolla acquires GliaMed's novel class of compounds

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company today announced that it has acquired the rights to a novel class of compounds known as Regenerative Immunophilin Ligands from privately held GliaMed, Inc.

5 Apr 2011

Court grants motion to dismiss Cryo-Cell International lawsuit against Cord Blood America

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally, is pleased to announce that the Pinellas County Circuit Court granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Cryo-Cell International against Cord Blood America, which CBAI management believed was an attempt to inhibit the pending deal between Cryo-Cell Mexico and CBAI.

5 Apr 2011

Promega expands into Brazil

With the expansion of Promega Corporation into Brazil, now scientists in life science research, drug discovery, human identity and clinical diagnostics have direct access to technical service, fast delivery and the ability to request a quote online in Brazil. Promega online capabilities, tailored to meet the needs of Brazilian scientists, include access to extensive resources including online chat in Portuguese.

5 Apr 2011

Injection of stem cells may improve effectiveness of cardiac bypass surgery

In a new research study under way at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, surgeons are adding a patient's own stem cells to the heart during cardiac bypass surgery. The goal of this research study is to determine whether the stem cell infusion will generate new blood vessels and improve heart function more than what is seen through bypass surgery alone.

5 Apr 2011