Single antibody shrinks variety of human tumors transplanted into mice, Stanford study shows – Human tumors transplanted into laboratory mice disappeared or shrank when scientists treated the animals with a single antibody. This antibody works by masking a protein flag on cancer cells that protects them from macrophages and other cells in the immune system.
Understanding the beginnings of embryonic stem cells helps predict the future – Ordinarily, embryonic stem cells exist only a day or two as they begin the formation of the embryo itself. Then they are gone. In the laboratory dish, however, they act more like perpetual stem cells ? renewing themselves and exhibiting the ability to form cells of almost any type, a status called totipotency.
Neural stem cell transplant may tackle diabetes — Using patients’ own stem cells can overcome shortage of insulin-producing cells without the need for gene transfer – Researchers in Japan have discovered how a patient’s neural stem cells could be used as an alternative source of the beta cells needed for a regenerative treatment for diabetes.
What decides neural stem cell fate? — A gene called SOX2 acts as a stem cell gatekeeper — only cells expressing it have the potential to become neurons – Early in embryonic development, the neural crest ? a transient group of stem cells ? gives rise to parts of the nervous system and several other tissues. But little is known about what determines which cells become neurons and which become other cell types.
Advanced Cell Technology Receives FDA Clearance For the First Clinical Trial Using Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Macular Degeneration — FDA Lifts Clinical Hold; Company to Commence a Phase I/II Clinical Trial at Multiple Centers – Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (“ACT”; OTCBB:ACTC) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application to immediately initiate a Phase I/II multicenter clinical trial using retinal cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD), one of the most common forms of juvenile macular degeneration in the world.
Stem cells shape up to their surroundings – Many scientists aspire to take control over the stem cell differentiation process, so that we can grow organs and implants perfectly matched to each patient in the future.
Stanford stem cell scientist leads effort to prevent fraudulent treatment – Leading stem cell researchers from institutions around the world are issuing warnings about unproven stem cell therapies being marketed on the Internet and have launched a website to educate and protect patients seeking such treatments.
Aiming to cure deafness, Stanford scientists first to create functional inner-ear cells – Researchers have found a way to coax embryonic stem cells as well as reprogrammed adult cells to develop into sensory cells that normally reside in the mammalian inner ear. Those mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of hearing and balance.
Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells – Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process.
New stem cell technology developed at Hebrew University — Leads to better treatment for complicated bone fractures – Researchers have developed a new way of using stem cells to provide better and rapid healing for patients suffering from complicated bone fractures.
