Genetically encoded sensor isolates hidden leukemic stem cells

2019-03-12

Researchers have devised a novel biosensor that can isolate and target leukemic stem cells. It can provide a prototype for precision oncology efforts to target patient-specific cells to fight the deadly disease.

Squishing blood stem cells could facilitate harvest for transplants

2019-03-22

How deformable cells are, and thus how stiff or squishy they are, plays an important role in retaining blood-forming stem cells in their marrow niches and thus preserving their long-term repopulation capabilities.

Tissue engineering: Hydrogel for enhanced cell encapsulation and delivery

2019-03-25

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) hydrogel has great potential as a cell-encapsulation delivery carrier for sustained release of paracrine factors and for tissue regeneration, with unique versatility for injection, scaffolding, and 3D bioprinting.

Biologists find a way to boost intestinal stem cell populations

2019-03-28

Biologists have found that aging takes a toll on intestinal stem cells and may contribute to increased susceptibility to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The researchers could also reverse this effect in aged mice by treating them with an NAD prec

New gene essential for making ears of corn

2019-03-29

New research extends the growing biological understanding of how different parts of corn plants develop, which is important information for a crop that is a mainstay of the global food supply.

A step toward recovering reproduction in girls who survive childhood cancer

2019-04-03

Leukemia treatments often leave girls infertile, but a procedure developed by researchers working with mice is a step toward restoring their ability to be biological mothers.

Mutation stands in the way of healthy blood cell maturation

2019-04-05

In a new study, researchers have learned how a specific genetic mutation affects the maturation of blood cells in mouse models. Leukemia patients often have a mutation in this gene, often seen before the disease sets in. The researchers are working on a s

Discovery of 'kingpin' stem cell may help in the understanding of cancerous tumors

2019-04-11

Bhatia's team spent more than six years delving down to the cellular level to examine what they say are previously overlooked cells that form on the edges of pluripotent stem cell colonies. Having characterized these cells, the team also observed them for

Scientists 'reverse engineer' brain cancer cells to find new targets for treatment

2019-04-16

lioblastoma is one of the most devastating forms of cancer, with few existing treatment options. It is also a leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults. Scientists have 'reverse engineered' brain cancer stem cells gene by gene, un

Factors behind embryonic stem cell state

2019-04-17

An international collaboration has found for the first time that two new epigenetic regulators, TAF5L and TAF6L, maintain self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. The scientists also found that these proteins activate c-Myc (a well-known cancer gene), and it

A light-activated remote control for cells

2019-04-17

What if doctors had a remote control that they could use to steer a patient's own cells to a wound to speed up the healing process? Although such a device is still far from reality, researchers have taken an important first step: They used near-infrared l

Welding with stem cells for next-generation surgical glues

2019-04-23

Scientists have invented a new technology that could lead to the development of a new generation of smart surgical glues and dressings for chronic wounds. The new method involves re-engineering the membranes of stem cells to effectively 'weld' the cells t

Stem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair damaged neurons in mice

2019-04-24

A subset of the stem cells in hair follicles have the potential to regenerate the coating that insulates neurons in mice, report scientists.

Blood cancer's Achilles' heel opens door for new treatments

2019-04-25

New findings about an aggressive form of leukemia could aid the development of novel drugs to treat the condition.

Pluripotency or differentiation? That is the question

2019-05-02

Induced pluripotent stem cells can turn into any type of cell in the body or remain in their original form. In a new study, scientists describe how cells 'decide' which of these two directions to take

Pigment-producing stem cells can regenerate vital part of nervous system

2019-05-06

Neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) affect millions of people worldwide and occur when parts of the nervous system lose function over time. Researchers have discovered that a type of skin-related stem cell could be used to help regener

Stem cells provide information about neuron resilience in ALS

2019-05-09

Researchers have developed a stem cell based model in order to study the resilience and vulnerability of neurons in the neurodegenerative disease ALS. The results can aid in the identification of new genetic targets for treatments protecting sensitive neu

Stem cells make more 'cargo' packets to carry cellular aging therapies

2019-05-07

Scientists report that adult cells reprogrammed to become primitive stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), make tiny 'cargo packets' able to deliver potentially restorative or repairing proteins, antibodies or other therapies to aged c

Prince Charming's kiss unlocking brain's regenerative potential?

2019-05-10

Researchers find that 'waves' of Hes1 and Ascl1 gene expression control the quiescent and active state of adult neural stem cells. Hes1 expression promotes quiescence and suppresses Ascl1, and knocking out Hes1 increases Ascl1 expression and subsequent ad

Early in vitro testing for adverse effects on embryos

2019-05-14

Researchers have combined embryonic cells and liver cells in a new cell culture test. This combination lets them detect adverse effects that new medications may have on embryos early on in the drug development process.

A new way to wind the development clock of cardiac muscle cells

2019-05-15

A study published in the journal Stem Cells describes a new and unexpected way to accelerate the maturation of induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiac muscle cells.

Cancer drugs promote stem cell properties of colorectal cancer

2019-05-16

Scientists have now discovered that a certain group of cancer drugs (MEK Inhibitors) activates the cancer-promoting Wnt signalling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. This can lead to the accumulation of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics that are

Cancer cells are quick-change artists adapting to their environment

2019-05-24

New research shows that cancer cells of glioblastomas -- conspicuously aggressive solid brain tumors -- manifest developmental plasticity and their phenotypic characteristics are less constrained than believed.

Stem cell study determines most harmful vape liquids

2019-05-28

A novel approach reveals vaping's effect on endothelial cells and the most harmful flavors.

Intranasal stem cell therapy restores smell in mice

2019-05-30

A stem cell therapy delivered into the nose can restore the sense of smell in a mouse model of olfactory loss. The findings provide proof of principle for an approach that has the potential to be of broad utility for a range of clinical conditions causing

New genetic weapons challenge sickle cell disease

2019-06-03

Researchers advancing gene-editing techniques to help patients with sickle cell disease discover an unexpected boost in fetal hemoglobin production, which mutes the effect of the disease.

Improved human brain organoids to boost neurological disease research

2019-06-05

Research has optimized the process of making human brain 'organoids' -- miniature 3D organ models -- so they consistently follow growth patterns observed in the developing human brain. Researchers can use this reproducible experimental system to test drug

Research sheds new light on how brain stem cells are activated

2019-06-06

Scientists have found that neural stem cells use molecules that form a complex called STRIPAK to 'wake up' and produce new neurons (nerve cells) and surrounding glial cells in the brain.

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