Cloning And Stem Cell News, Research and Resources

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine may also be detrimental for health

Saturday, November 14, 2009 00:00 MST

A work performed by scientists from the universities of Granada and Le�n has shown that transplantation of mononuclear cells isolated from human cord blood had a deleterious effect in rats with chronic liver disease. Cell transplantation did not improve the health of sick animals but it induced a hepatorenal syndrome instead.

Stem cells restore cognitive abilities impaired by brain tumor treatment, UCI study finds

Friday, November 13, 2009 00:00 MST

Human embryonic stem cells could help people with learning and memory deficits after radiation treatment for brain tumors, suggests a new UC Irvine study.

Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells

Thursday, November 12, 2009 00:00 MST

Researchers have transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice so that their developing red blood cells produce a critical lysosomal enzyme -- preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from the often-fatal genetic disorder Hurler's syndrome.

Squeak, squeak - can you hear me now?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 00:00 MST

What do you get when you cross a mouse with poor hearing and a mouse with even worse hearing? Ironically, a new strain of mice with "golden ears" -- mice that have outstanding hearing as they age. The new mouse hears much like people with "golden ears" -- people who are able to retain great hearing even as they grow older.

Advance growing animal penile erectile tissue in lab may benefit patients

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 00:00 MST

In an advance that could one day enable surgeons to reconstruct and restore function to damaged or diseased penile tissue in humans, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have used tissue engineering techniques to completely replace penile erectile tissue in rabbits. This is the most complete replacement of penile erectile tissue to date and suggests the possibility of using the same approach for men with erectile dysfunction or conditions that require reconstruction, including penile cancer and congenital abnormalities.

New embryonic stem cell therapy restores walking ability in rats with neck injuries

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 00:00 MST

The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries -- a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.

$11 million NIH grant for stem cell research awarded to Rhode Island Hospital

Monday, November 09, 2009 00:00 MST

Rhode Island Hospital has received an $11 million grant that will fund research that will lead to a general understanding of stem cell biology and identify unique approaches to tissue regeneration in lung and marrow diseases. The 5-year grant, awarded to Peter Quesenberry, MD, director of hematology/oncology at Rhode Island Hospital, also provides funding for the development of a major stem cell research center at Rhode Island Hospital.

Gene therapy success in severe brain disorder applauded by the STOP ALD Foundation

Saturday, November 07, 2009 00:00 MST

First gene therapy success in boys with fatal brain disorder -- the Stop ALD Foundation, having spurred a successful European gene therapy trial, is now pressing to bring this therapy to the US. The foundation was started by families with children who have died or suffered from adrenoleukodystrophy, the disease highlighted in the movie Lorenzo's Oil. A report of the trial appears in the current issue of Science.

Lung tissue generated from human embryonic stem cells

Friday, November 06, 2009 00:00 MST

Scientists in Belgium have successfully differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into major cell types of lung epithelial tissue using a convenient air-liquid interface. The technique, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Respiratory Research, could provide an alternative to lung transplants for patients with lung injury due to chronic pulmonary disease and inherited genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Spinal cord regeneration enabled by stabilizing, improving delivery of scar-degrading enzyme

Thursday, November 05, 2009 00:00 MST

Researchers have improved an enzyme that degrades dense scar tissue that forms when the central nervous system is damaged -- and developed a new system to deliver it, ultimately enabling spinal cord regeneration.

Sight gone, but not necessarily lost?

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 00:00 MST

Like all tissues in the body, the eye needs a healthy blood supply to function properly. Poorly developed blood vessels can lead to visual impairment or even blindness. While many of the molecules involved in guiding the development of the intricate blood vessel architecture are known, only now are we learning how these molecules work and how they might affect sight.

Diabetes, brain tumor stem cell grants to drive development of therapies

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 00:00 MST

Two teams of UCSF scientists have received grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to advance their stem cell based strategies for treating diabetes and brain tumors. The intent of the grants is for teams to file new drug applications to the US Food and Drug Administration within four years, driving potential therapies toward clinical trials.

Of mice and men: Stem cells and ethical uncertainties

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 00:00 MST

The recent creation of live mice from induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs) not only represents a remarkable scientific achievement, but also raises important issues, according to bioethicists at the Johns Hopkins University's Berman Institute of Bioethics.

Researchers transform embryonic stem cells into human germ cells

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 00:00 MST

Researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have discovered how to transform human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately give rise to sperm and eggs. The advance will allow researchers to observe human germ cells -- previously inaccessible -- in laboratory dishes.

Stem cell therapy may offer hope for acute lung injury

Monday, November 02, 2009 00:00 MST

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have shown that adult stem cells from bone marrow can prevent acute lung injury in a mouse model of the disease.