News for Researchers
Fat Source Makes a Difference for ASCs (Cell)
(Singapore) Stem cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue express different cell surface markers then stem cells derived from visceral fat.
Biologists Create New Model For How Stem Cells Specialize (SciGuru)
(Houston, TX) Rice University scientist develop a new theory to show how DNA in pluripotent stem cells is pushed into a particular direction by proteins the cells are exposed to as they begin to specialize.
UGA Vet Surgeons Use Feline ASCs in Kidney Transplant (Online Athens)
(Athens, GA) Stem cells used in a cat to optimize the acceptance of a transplanted kidney.
Gene Editing With iPSCs Shows HIV Promise (Newscientist)
(San Francisco, CA) Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) with an altered genome resist HIV infection.
Human Stem Cells Used to Create Retinal Tissue
(Baltimore, MD) — Researchers from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine say they have created three-dimensional human retinal tissue from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). The tissue notably includes functioning photo-receptor cells capable of responding to light, the first step in the process of creating visual images in the brain.
UC Davis Medical Center Produce Bladder Stem Cells
(Sacramento, CA)—For the first time, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) have been transformed into specialized bladder cells. A research team at the UC Davis Medical Center’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine reports the successful re-programming of iPS cells derived from human skin ells and umbilical blood cells. The research has significant implications for the treatment of diseased or cancerous bladders. The research team was led by Dr. Eric Kurzrock at the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Differentiate and Survive in Rhesus Brains
(Madison, WI)—University of Wisconsin researchers report the differentiation of transplanted autologous iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells in rhesus monkeys. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) survived for six months after differentiating into neurons, astrocytes, and myelinating oligodendrocytes.
Riken admits to bad handling of data in STAP research
(Tokyo, Japan)–The laboratory that reported a breakthrough technique to transform mature cells into stem cells now admits to “inappropriate handling” of the data in the now contested research. The president of RIKEN research institute, Ryoji Noyori, a Nobel laureate in chemistry, did not refute the findings, however.
Pulsing Cardiac Muscle Created From iPS Cells
(Washington, DC)—Researchers at George Washington University School of Medicine report the use of engineered cardiac tissue to treat Chronic Deep Venous Insufficiency with external pulsing ‘cuffs.’ The heart tissue cuffs, engineered from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, aid unidirectional blood flow via rhythmic contractions, according to lead author Narine Sarvazyan, PhD.