The Stem Cell Podcast

A podcast dedicated to culturing knowledge in stem cell research. Brought to you by STEMCELL Technologies.

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357 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes357

Newest first

May 8, 2018 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 116: “Functional Endothelium” Featuring Dr. Valeria Orlova
Guest: Dr. Valeria Orlova is the Principal Investigator at the Leiden University Medical Center. Dr. Orlova’s lab uses stem cells to study the blood vessels and vasculature. She joins us to talk about her work and latest findings. Featured Resource: STEMdiff™ Trilineage Differentiation Kit – Functional Assay Kit to Assess Pluripotency by Directed Differentiation of Human ES and iPS Cells to All Three Germ Layers Resources and Links Plastic That Can Be Recycled Again and Again – The development of chemically recyclable polymers offers a solution to the end-of-use issue of polymeric materials and provides a closed-loop approach toward a circular materials economy. Genetically Modified Plant as Malaria Drug – Derived from sweet wormwood plants, the antimalarial compound artemisinin usually composes 0.1 to 1 percent of the dry weight of the leaves. New research more than triples a plant’s yield of artemisinin, to 3.2 percent. Hospital Surfaces that Kill Superbugs – A newly developed coating uses overhead light to trigger bacteria-killing molecules and could be used in hospitals to help stop the spread of some infections. A Bird’s Internal Compass – During the long range migrations of European robins, production of the protein Cry4 increases and that may facilitate the birds’ sense of Earth’s magnetic field. Inducible GDNF Expression in Transplanted Neural Cells – Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has provided benefits to Parkinsonian patients and is being used in a clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Reciprocal Signaling between Glioblastoma Stem Cells and Differentiated Tumor Cells Promotes Malignant Progression – A recent study found that differentiated glioblastoma cells (DGCs) accelerated GSC tumor growth. DGCs preferentially expressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whereas GSCs expressed the BDNF receptor NTRK2. Super-Obese Patient-Derived iPSC Hypothalamic Neurons Exhibit Obesogenic Signatures and Hormone Responses – Researchers developed a method to reliably differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into hypothalamic-like neurons (iHTNs) capable of secreting orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that, although iHTNs maintain a fetal identity, they respond appropriately to metabolic hormones ghrelin and leptin. Defining Essential Genes for Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by CRISPR-Cas9 Screening in Haploid Cells – Scientists constructed an atlas of essential and growth-restricting genes in human pluripotent stem cells, revealing key aspects of cellular essentiality and providing a reference for future studies on human pluripotency. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Valeria Orlova Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Apr 24, 2018 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 115: “Motor Neurons” Featuring Evangelos Kiskinis
Guest: Evangelos Kiskinis, PhD is an Assistant Professor in Neurology at Northwestern University. His lab focuses on addressing fundamental aspects of the biology of human neurons in the context of physiological conditions and in the context of diseases such as ALS. Featured Resource: Madeline Lancaster on Brain Organoids: Modeling Human Brain Development in a Dish Webinar Resources and Links How Norovirus Invades – While investigating the cell tropism for murine norovirus, scientists discovered that a rare cell type, tuft cells, carrying the CD300lf receptor were the virus’s specific target. Viruses that Clean Up Bacteria– Viruses can be engineered to carry magnetic nanoparticles and modified DNA, transforming them into nanobots that detect bacteria in water or food. Cancers Should Be Treated by Type Not Location – Cancer should not be treated based on where it is first found in the body, but depending on the type of tumor, scientists have said. California Ordered to Add Cancer Warning to Coffee, but the Science Doesn’t Hold Up – Storm clouds are brewing in California’s coffee cups. Companies across the state will have to add a cancer-warning label to coffee, a judge ruled, because the drink contains a chemical called acrylamide. Thrombopoietin is Required for Bone Marrow Stem Cell Maintenance– Investigators found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were markedly reduced in hepatocyte-specific thrombopoietin-deficient mice. These results indicate that systemic factors, in addition to the local niche, are a critical extrinsic component for HSC maintenance. Researchers Optimize Lung Stem Cell Engineering Process– The Center for Regenerative Medicine’s pioneering research using induced pluripotent stem cells, which self-renew indefinitely as undifferentiated cells that become specific adult cell types, has helped create an inexhaustible source of disease- or patient-specific stem cells. An In Vivo Model of Functional and Vascularized Human Brain Organoids– Scientists developed more sophisticated organoid models to help provide new insights into a range of neurological and psychological disorders. iPSCs from a Hibernator Provide a Platform for Studying Cold Adaptation – The authors showed that ground squirrel iPSCs offer a unique platform for bringing cold-adaptive strategies from hibernators to humans in clinical applications. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Evangelos Kiskinis Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Apr 10, 2018 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 114: “Stem Cell Pioneer” Featuring Dr. Janet Rossant
Guest: Dr. Janet Rossant is a Senior Scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program at The Hospital for Sick Children and is a Professor in both the Department of Molecular Genetics and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. Her research interests center on understanding the genetic control of normal and abnormal development in the early mouse embryo using both cellular and genetic manipulation techniques. Her interests in the early embryo have led to the discovery of a novel placental stem cell type, the trophoblast stem cell. Rossant is also the Director of the newly formed Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Featured Resource: STEMdiff™ Definitive Endoderm Kit: Defined Animal Component-Free Medium for the Differentiation of Human ES and iPS Cells to Definitive Endoderm Resources and Links Cancer Vaccine Eliminates Tumors in Mice– Injecting minute amounts of two immune-stimulating agents directly into solid tumors in mice can eliminate all traces of cancer in the animals, including distant, untreated metastases, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Tiny Stomach Found in Lung Tumors– Findings demonstrate that elements of pathologic tumor plasticity mirror the normal developmental history of organs in that cancer cells acquire cell fates associated with developmentally related neighboring organs. Is the Interstitium a New Organ?– A study confirms that the spaces between cells are fluid-filled, rather than tightly packed with connective tissue, but pathologists say the implications of the findings remain to be seen. Brain Organoids and Blood Vessels– Unpredictable variations and deficiencies have hampered the usefulness of organoids in research, but new techniques for creating mini-brains may change that. RPE Cell Transplantation to Treat Macular Degeneration – Scientists demonstrated the feasibility and safety of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) patch transplantation as a regenerative strategy for age-related macular degeneration. Human Hippocampal Neurogenesis Persists throughout Aging – Researchers found that healthy older subjects without cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric disease or treatment display preserved neurogenesis. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Janet Rossant Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Mar 29, 2018 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 113: “Heart Patch” Featuring Dr. Nenad Bursac
Guest: Dr. Nenad Bursac talks about a technology his group has developed and tested as a candidate therapy for myocardial infarction and heart failure. Dr. Nenad Bursac’s research interests include pluripotent stem cell therapies for heart and muscle disease, cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue engineering, cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias, genetic modifications of stem and somatic cells, micropatterning of proteins and hydrogels, and organ-on-chip technologies. Featured Resource: Celebration of Science Resources and Links Congress Budget Good for Science – The American Association for the Advancement of Science currently estimates R&D spending in the FY 2018 omnibus at $176.8 billion, an increase of 12.8 percent or $20.1 billion above FY 2017 estimated R&D. Male Birth Control Passes Safety Test – After decades of research, reproductive biologists are on the verge of developing new birth control options that stop sperm from maturing or save a woman’s eggs for later. How Bees Combat Pesticides – Honeybees and bumblebees can resist a type of neonicotinoid insecticide, thanks to a family of enzymes that metabolize toxic compounds. Pacific Garbage Patch 16 Times Bigger Than Thought – It has been predicted that at least 79 (45–129) thousand tonnes of ocean plastic are floating inside an area of 1.6 million km2; a figure four to sixteen times higher than previously reported. Game Changing Stem Cell Treatment for MS – Results from an international trial showed that a stem cell treatment involving wiping out a patient’s immune system using cancer drugs and then rebooting it with a stem cell transplant can stop multiple sclerosis (MS) and improve its symptoms. Converting Blood Vessels to Blood Stem Cells – A switch has been discovered that instructs blood vessel cells to become blood stem cells during embryonic development in mice. iPSC Based Vaccines Elicit Anti-Tumor Response – Cancer cells and embryonic tissues share a number of cellular and molecular properties, suggesting that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may be harnessed to elicit anti-tumor responses in cancer vaccines. Pancreatic Tumor Organoids for Studying Disease Progression – A pancreatic tumor organoid library was established encompassing 39 patient-derived pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and identified three functional subtypes based on their stem cell niche factor dependencies on Wnt and R-spondin. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Nenad Bursac Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Mar 13, 2018 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 112: “Science Careers” Featuring Dr. William Dunworth
Guest: Dr. William Dunworth is an Account Manager at STEMCELL Technologies and will be talking about his transition from bench to industry, and what advice he has to offer in terms of careers in stem cell science beyond the bench. Featured Resource: Celebration of Science Resources and Links Study on Gun-Policy Effects Finds Important Gaps in Existing Research – One of the largest-ever studies of U.S. gun policy finds there is a shortage of evidence about the effects of most gun laws, although researchers from the RAND Corporation found there is some persuasive evidence about the effects of several common gun policies. Penguin Supercolony Identified – Despite the concerted international effort to track and interpret shifts in the abundance and distribution of Adélie penguins, large populations continue to be identified. Language Not Affected after Strokes in Newborns – Researchers from the Georgetown University Medical Center found that people who’d had a stroke as a newborn that damaged the left side of their brain — the side that normally controls language — used the other side of their brain for language. Fake Organ that Mimics the Human Eye – Real human cells from a cornea and conjunctiva were used to build a blinking model of the surface of an artificial eye. A Cheaper Way to Culture Human Pluripotent Stem Cells – Scientists at Japan’s Kyoto University, with colleagues in India and Iran, have developed a more cost-effective culture by using a new combination of chemical compounds. Genes for Age-Linked Brain Deterioration Identified – An improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive age-associated neurogenic deficiency could lead to the development of strategies to alleviate cognitive impairment and facilitate neuroregeneration. Dual Mechanism for Embryonic Stem Cells to Maintain Pluripotency – NCCS researchers have found two mechanisms that turn off the expression of endocytosis-associated genes, thus helping the stem cells to maintain their pluripotency. Stem Cell Treatment to Reverse Early Menopause – Pioneering treatment that reverses the symptoms of early menopause has raised hopes that women affected could go on to have children naturally. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. William Dunworth Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Feb 27, 2018 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep. 111: “ALS Cell Death” Featuring Dr. Justin Ichida
Guest Dr. Justin Ichida is the Assistant Professor in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Ichida’s laboratory creates in vitro models of human neurodegenerative diseases by converting patients’ cells into disease-affected neural cells. Featured Resource: Madeline Lancaster on Brain Organoids: Modeling Human Brain Development in a Dish Webinar Resources and Links New Budget Not So Bad for Science – Following a new congressional deal that will boost federal spending by nearly half-a-trillion dollars this year and next, the administration rescinded many of the planned cuts and instead requested flat funding at major research agencies. Household Products Significantly Contribute to Pollution – A detailed mass balance demonstrates that the use of volatile chemical products—including pesticides, coatings, printing inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, and personal care products—now constitutes half of fossil fuel volatile organic compound emissions in industrialized cities. Hunting Threatens Endangered Orangutan – From 1999 to 2015, numbers of orangutans on the island of Borneo declined by nearly 150,000 individuals, a new study estimates. Lowering an Enzyme Eliminates Brain Plaques – According to researchers, sequential and increased deletion of BACE1 in an adult Alzheimer’s disease mouse model (5xFAD) was capable of completely reversing amyloid deposition resulting in significant improvement in gliosis and neuritic dystrophy. Tribute to Stem Cell Scientist Ihor Lemischka – Ihor Lemischka, PhD, Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, known for his great sense of humor and his pioneering work on embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells, died much too young from a stroke early in December 2017. New Stem Cell Treatment for Stroke – Researchers have developed a new treatment called AB126 using extracellular vesicles for stroke that reduces brain damage and accelerates the brain’s natural healing tendencies in animal models. Stem Cells to Grow Mini Kidneys – One new study shows how human kidney tissue could be grown inside of a living organism, demonstrating the potential to one day save the lives of millions. World’s First Human-Sheep Hybrid – A team of researchers at Stanford University successfully grew embryos inside a surrogate for three weeks which had both sheep and human cells. Efficient Technique Discovered for Isolating Embryonic Stem Cells in Cows – Scientists at the University of California, Davis, were able to develop a new culture system that allows them to efficiently derive stem cells on almost every single attempt. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Justin Ichida Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Feb 13, 2018 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 110 “Blood Stem Cell Lineage” Featuring Dr. Fernando Camargo
Guest Dr. Fernando Camargo is a Principal Investigator at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor in the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. Dr. Camargo’s laboratory’s ultimate goal is to understand the signals that regulate adult stem cell maturation and tissue regeneration and has a strong interest in studying the cellular and molecular biology of hematopoietic stem cells. Featured Resource: Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Phenotyping Wallchart Resources and Links A New Blood Test to Predict Alzheimer’s Disease – Accumulations of a sticky protein called amyloid-β can appear in the brain decades before a person develops Alzheimer’s disease. Zika Is Not Alone in Its Effects on Fetal Damage – Many viruses, including some similar to Zika, can infect the placenta and the cells of the baby. CRISPR to Treat Muscle Disorder – Genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising new approach for correcting or mitigating disease-causing mutations like that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Development of a New Influenza Vaccine – Researchers present a systematic approach for vaccine development that eliminates interferon–modulating functions genome-wide while maintaining virus replication fitness. Researchers Create First Primate Clones – Scientists successfully cloned cynomolgus monkeys by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Scientists Culture Human Placenta Stem Cells– Cells need certain proteins activated and others inhibited to stay alive and maintain the same characteristics they would have in utero. Why Nerve Cells Die in ALS – A mutation in a gene, called C9ORF72, leads to toxicity in nerve cells, causing 10 percent of all cases of ALS and an additional 10 percent of frontotemporal dementia. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Fernando Camargo Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Jan 30, 2018 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 109: “CILIA and RPE” Featuring Dr. Kapil Bharti
Guest Dr. Kapil Bharti is a Principal Investigator at the National Eye Institute at the NIH. His work involves performing translational research on degenerative eye diseases using induced pluripotent stem cell technology. Dr. Bharti’s group uses this technology to develop in vitro disease models to study patient-specific disease processes, to set up high throughput drug screens, and to develop cell-based therapy for retinal degenerative diseases. Featured Resource: Extracellular Matrix News Resources and Links Normal Childbirth May Take Longer Than Thought – A study in two African countries found a slower rate of dilation for many women who went on to have healthy, vaginal births. Aging Is in the Blood – A protein located in the cells that forms a barrier between the brain and blood can prematurely age the brains of young mice. There Are Different Types of Strep Infections – Extra genes picked up by some pathogens can cause different strains to have wildly different effects on the immune system, even in the same person. Probing a 3D Brain – BrainFacts.org, which has long been sponsored by the Society of Neuroscience and other organizations, now has an interactive 3D brain that offers more information about the organ’s structures. Epigenetic and Blood Stem Cell Differentiation –Investigators demonstrated that the epigenetic silencing factor Ezh1 limits multilineage differentiation potential of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in mouse embryos and human pluripotent stem cell derivatives. New Method for Expanding T-Cells – Researchers from Harvard University describe a system that mimics natural antigen-presenting cells and consists of a fluid lipid bilayer supported by mesoporous silica micro-rods. CRISPR to Transiently Express Genes – Dr. Izpisua Belmonte and colleagues from Salk Institute report a robust system for in vivo activation of endogenous target genes through trans-epigenetic remodeling. CRISPR Based Reprogramming to Pluripotency – Scientists show that reactivation of endogenous Oct4 or Sox2 using augmented forms of CRISPR/Cas9 is sufficient to reprogram mouse fibroblasts to pluripotency. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Kapil Bharti Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Jan 12, 2018 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 108: “Skeletal Muscle” Featuring Dr. April Pyle
Guest Dr. April Pyle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is also a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Center, the Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA. Dr. Pyle’s lab uses multi-disciplinary approaches to study human pluripotent stem cell biology and differentiation of these cells for use in regenerative medicine. Featured Resource: MyoCult™ Media to Expand, Maintain and Differentiate Skeletal Muscle Progenitor Cells (Myoblasts) Resources and Links Learning How to Tolerate the Cold from Squirrels – When Elena Gracheva, a neurophysiologist at Yale University School of Medicine, and her colleagues exposed hibernators like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and the Syrian hamster to low temperatures in the lab, they saw very little activity in their TRPM8 pathway, an area of the central nervous system known to process information about cold. Brain Organoids Wrinkle and Fold Like Real Brains Do – Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel from working with the lab-grown brains or organoids, discovered that cells inside the brains contract, while cells on the outside grow and push outward. Not All Ribosomes Are Equal – Developmental biologist and geneticist Maria Barna of Stanford University School of Medicine and colleagues discovered that ribosomes actually come in many varieties, incorporating different proteins. Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual High Schoolers Report ‘Tragically High’ Suicide Risk – A new study reports that high school students who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are more likely to report planning or attempting suicide compared with their heterosexual peers. How Alcohol Damages Stem Cell DNA and Increases Cancer Risk – Scientists have shown how alcohol damages DNA in stem cells, helping to explain why drinking increases your risk of cancer. Cellular Barcoding to Understand Behavior of Stem Cells – By tagging bone marrow cells of mice with a genetic label, or barcode, researchers were able to track and describe the family tree of individual blood cells as they form in their natural environment. Circular RNAs and Pluripotency – Taiwanese scientists have discovered that circular RNA plays a key functional role in pluripotent stem cells, which may help the development of regenerative medicine or medical technologies. NIH Discovery Brings Stem Cell Therapy for Eye Disease Closer to the Clinic – Scientists at the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), report that tiny tube-like protrusions called primary cilia on cells of the retinal pigment epithelium – a layer of cells in the back of the eye – are essential for the survival of the retina’s light-sensing photoreceptors. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. April Pyle Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Dec 29, 2017 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep. 107: “Skin Regeneration” Featuring Dr. Michele De Luca
Guest Dr. Michele De Luca has been involved in epithelial stem cell biology aimed at clinical applications in regenerative medicine for over 20 years. He joins the show to discuss his work and latest groundbreaking paper published in Nature. Featured Resource: Growing Organoids from Stem Cells Wallchart Resources and Links New Tax Plan Closer to Passing and Impacting Science – If the new tax plan is enacted and passed, it could limit the ability of graduate students to complete their training programs and would particularly affect those students without other means to help support their studies. Hospitals Can Help Opioid Addiction Epidemic – New opioid prescribing guidelines tested over a five-month period in Michigan kept thousands of opioid pills from being unnecessarily doled out. When We Lock Eyes with a Baby, Our Brain Waves Sync Up – The baby’s and the adult’s brain activity appeared to get in sync by meeting in the middle. SARS Bat Reservoirs – Genetic studies of viruses from horseshoe bats in one cave in China suggest the animals are reservoirs of SARS coronaviruses. A New Way to Prevent Stem Cell Loss – A nutrient sensing pathway target of rapamycin (TOR) can be subdued in order to prevent stem cell loss. 114 Million Raised to Bring Stem Cell Trial for Diabetes to Humans – Semma Therapeutics, a company that got its start in 2014, and is researching ways to use stem cells that act like key cells responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in the bodies of healthy people has just raised $114 million. Yamanaka Asks Fujifilm to Keep Licensing Fees Low – A noted Japanese stem cell researcher, Shinya Yamanaka, has asked Fujifilm Holdings to keep fees in check for using patented technology related to induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells and Gene Therapy Replace Entire Epidermis of Young Boy – A 7-year-old who lost most of his skin to a rare genetic disease has made a dramatic recovery after receiving an experimental gene therapy involving a whole-body graft of genetically modified stem cells which is the most ambitious attempt yet to treat a severe form of epidermolysis bullosa, an often-fatal group of conditions that cause skin to blister and tear off at the slightest touch. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Michele De Luca Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Dec 5, 2017 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep. 106: “Ethical Concerns” Featuring Dr. Leigh Turner
Guest Dr. Leigh Turner is an associate professor in the center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota. Turner’s research addresses ethical, legal, and regulatory issues associated with clinics engaged in direct-to-consumer marketing of unproven and unlicensed cell-based interventions. Dr. Turner is an author of numerous publications including a recent paper in Cell Stem Cell along with The Stem Cell Podcast’s past guest, Paul Knoepfler. Featured Resource: Organoid Research Resources and Links New Insight on How Mosquitos Interact with Humans – This article reveals that nasty experiences can change an Aedes aegypti mosquito’s inclination to follow certain odors, such as the whiff of human skin. Dolly the Sheep’s Severe Arthritis Not from Cloning – Experts at the University of Nottingham and the University of Glasgow say original concerns that cloning caused early-onset osteoarthritis (OA) in Dolly the sheep are unfounded. E. Coli Outbreak Traced to Raw Flour – This article reports that in 2015 and 2016, Escherichia coli-tainted flour sickened dozens of people in the United States, most of whom had eaten raw dough or batter while baking. Current CRISPR Gene Drives Are Too Strong for Outdoor Use, Studies Warn – A computer simulation released November 16 at bioRxiv.org predicts that standard forms of CRISPR gene drives, as the tools are called, can make tweaked DNA race through a population so easily that a small number of stray animals or plants could spread it to new territory. Stem Cells in Intestinal Lining May Shed Light on Behavior of Cancer Cells – A team of researchers looked for signals and cellular responses of intestinal epithelial cells during growth and renewal. Drug-Delivering Nanoparticles Seek and Destroy Elusive Cancer Stem Cells – University of Illinois researchers are sending tiny drug-laden nanoparticles on a mission to seek and destroy cancer stem cells, the elusive and rare cells that can cause cancer to come back even when years have passed since the initial tumor was treated. How Drinking Affects Neural Stem Cells – New research suggests that long-term, heavy alcohol consumption kills off brain stem cells, which play a key role in supporting healthy cognitive function. New Stem Cell Treatment Guidelines Released by FDA – In this article, U.S. Food and Drug Administration unveiled long-anticipated guidelines about stem-cell therapies that are meant to clear up confusion about which treatments are likely to be both appropriate and safe, and which pose the most risks and fewest rewards for patients. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Leigh Turner Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Nov 21, 2017 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 105: “Careers in Science” Featuring Dr. Kiki Sanford
Guest The Stem Cell Podcast and STEMCELL Technologies introduce the first interview in a new series called, “Alternative Science Careers.” For the first part of this series, we are pleased to interview the host of our very own Stem Cell Podcast, Dr. Kiki Sanford. Featured Resource: Organoid Research Resources and Links In New Budget, Graduate Student Taxes Could Go Up – This editorial reports that many graduate students would face a tax hike under a clause in the federal-tax-reform bill passed by the US House of Representatives. More People Now Have High Blood Pressure after New Guidelines – According to this article, nearly half of U.S. adults now have high blood pressure, thanks to a new definition of what constitutes high: 130/80 is the new 140/90. 15,000 Scientists Signed a “Warning to Humanity” – Thousands of scientists from all around the world have come together to issue another “warning to humanity” about the unprecedented threats that we as a species, and more importantly our planet as a whole, are currently facing. Scientists Can Make Things Invisible?! – Top scientists from Ben-Gurion University have come up with a cloaking device that scatters light away from an object so it cannot be detected. Genetic Manipulation to Enhance Neurogenesis – A team of researchers at the Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) has now found an efficient way for cells to spontaneously differentiate into neurons by silencing one single protein with the gene-editing method CRISPR. Direct Differentiation into Blood Brain Barrier Cells – This article reports that researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison detail a defined, step-by-step process to make a more exact mimic of the human blood-brain barrier in the laboratory dish. Space Station to Host Stem Cells for Cardiac Research – Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta have been using space-simulation machines to enhance the ability of pluripotent stem cells to turn into cardiac muscle cells but now they – or the cells they’ve carefully cultured, will get the chance to try the real thing on the International Space Station. Using VEGF to Increase Survival of Stem Cells – The authors show an experimental approach to improve therapeutic efficacy of proangiogenic cells for the treatment of ischemic diseases. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Kiki Sanford Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Nov 7, 2017 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep. 104: “CRISPR, iPSC and Disease” Featuring Dr. Chad Cowan
Guest Dr. Chad Cowan is a Principal Investigator and Associate Professor in Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. Chad joins the hosts to talk about CRISPR and its uses with stem cell biology to study disease. Featured Resource: Investigating Metabolic Disease with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Webinar Resources and Links E-Cigarettes Can Lead Teens to Higher Smoking Rates in Teens – According to this article, teens who vaped liquids containing higher concentrations of nicotine reported heavier and more frequent smoking and vaping six months later. 9 Million People Died from Pollution in 2015 – This article reports that in the most severely polluted countries, 25 percent of premature deaths could be attributed to pollution, especially in the air. Laws to Protect Athletes from Concussion Dangers Has an Impact – According to this article, more than 2½ years after the laws to protect young athletes against the dangers of concussions went on the books, repeat concussions began to decline among high school athletes. Inbreeding Impairs Reproductive Success – In this article, mating with a close relative, known as inbreeding, reduces human evolutionary fitness — measured by the ability to produce offspring. Method to Accelerate Maturation of Neurons Derived from Stem Cells – This article reveals that hydrogel can be used as a scaffold for engineering artificial brain tissue and promotes the development of neurons. Mutation Plus Sun Tanning (Really UV Exposure) Causes Skin Cancer – In this article, a group of scientists based at Cornell University now report that melanoma may arise from melanocyte stem cells (MCSCs), specifically, MCSCs that have become “melanoma competent” because they have accumulated a sufficient number of genetic mutations. Naked Mole Rat Cells Have a Stable Epigenome that Resists iPSC Reprogramming – Researchers observed that the reprogramming efficiency of naked mole rat fibroblasts in response to OSKM was drastically lower than that of mouse fibroblasts. Generation of a Motor Nerve Organoid with Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons – According to this article, to build an organoid mimicking developing nerve tissue, researchers employed a strategy that allowed the neurons to follow the cell-intrinsic axon growth and fasciculation programs with minimal intervention. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Chad Cowan Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Oct 24, 2017 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 103: “Leukemia and Stem Cells” Featuring Catherine Coombs
Guest Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina Medical Center, Catherine Coombs, talks to us about her work and her recent paper in Cell Stem Cell on the subject of clonal hematopoiesis. Featured Resource: Targeting Self-Renewal Function in Normal Hematopoietic and Leukemic Stem Cells Webinar Resources and Links An Estimated 124 Million Boys and Girls Are Now in the Highest Weight Range – The rising trends in children’s and adolescents’ BMI have plateaued in many high-income countries, albeit at high levels, but have accelerated in parts of Asia, with trends no longer correlated with those of adults. Global Survey Finds Pesticides in Much of World’s Honey – The authors report that neonicotinoid pesticides are turning up in honey on every continent with honeybees. Gun Waiting Periods Could Save Lives – A new study funded by Harvard Business School suggests that one policy—a mandatory waiting period between the sale of a gun and its delivery—could save hundreds of U.S. lives each year if implemented nationally. Dogs Learn While Sleeping – Scientists reveal that dogs learn when sleeping—just like people, a study done by researchers in Hungary with the use of electroencephalograms (EEGs) says. Establishment of Mouse Expanded Potential Stem Cells – According to this article, the most versatile stem cells ever created called “expanded-potential stem cells” (EPSCs) could enable researchers to better understand the biological mechanisms behind many failed early pregnancies. Dentists Get Cracking on the Stem Cell Front – A team of researchers from the University of Nevada Las Vegas have developed a device they hilarious call the “Tooth Cracker 5000” to extract 80 percent of the stem cells a pulp contains from a wisdom tooth. Bioengineering of Functional Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Intestinal Grafts – Scientists have built a new rat intestine by combining part of the animal’s own bowel with human stem cells hoping that one day, this method could be used in humans with intestinal problems who currently have to rely on organ transplants. A Cause for Permanent Hair Loss – A team of scientists from Mumbai have uncovered a cause for permanent hair loss – over-expression of a protein called phospholipase A2-IIA could be the cause for hair loss in mice. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Catherine Coombs Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Oct 10, 2017 · 1 hr
Ep. 102: “Stem Cells and Graduate School” Featuring Sierra Marable
Guest Sierra Marable is a graduate student in the Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She previously worked at the Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina where she became interested in stem cell research while researching induced pluripotent stem cells as a method for modeling development and disease at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Sierra joins the show to talk to us about her research and life as a graduate student. Featured Resource: Neural Stem Cells Wallchart Resources and Links Cracking the Body Clock Code Wins Trio a Nobel Prize – Three Americans, Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young are recognized and won the Nobel Prize for discovering the cellular gears that drive circadian rhythms. A Single Mutation in the prM Protein of Zika Virus Contributes to Fetal Microcephaly – A single genetic mutation made the Zika virus far more dangerous by enhancing its ability to kill nerve cells in developing brains. Bed Bug Aggregation on Dirty Laundry: A Mechanism for Passive Dispersal – In the absence of humans to latch onto, bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) flock to dirty clothing. Prevalence of Concussion Among US Adolescents and Correlated Factors – Scientists report that about 20 percent of U.S. adolescents have had at least one concussion. Trispecific Broadly Neutralizing HIV Antibodies Mediate Potent SHIV Protection in Macaques – According to this article, combining the antibodies, called broadly neutralizing antibodies, may stop more strains of HIV than any single one can do alone. Senate Panel Blocks NIH From Revising Translational Research Awards – The authors report that a congressional spending panel has backed scientists running a $516 million network of bench-to-bedside research centers in their fight with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, over how it manages the network. Organoid Cystogenesis Reveals a Critical Role of Microenvironment in Human Polycystic Kidney Disease – By creating and manipulating mini-kidney organoids grown from human stem cells that contain a realistic micro-anatomy, UW Medicine researchers can now track the early stages of polycystic kidney disease. A Reversible Haploid Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Biobank Resource for Functional Genomics – Scientists at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science developed a biobank of revertible, mutant embryonic stem cells. High-Throughput Microfluidic Labyrinth for the Label-Free Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells – This article reveals a new chip with a labyrinth design that promises big improvements in detecting rare and aggressive cancer cells in the blood, helping doctors to anticipate tumor growth and plan customized treatments for their patients. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Sierra Marable Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Sep 26, 2017 · 1 hr 8 min
Ep. 101: “Stem Cells and Brain Injury” Featuring Dr. Jack Parent
Guest: Dr. Jack Parent is a professor of neurology, director of the Neurodevelopment and Regeneration Laboratory, and co-director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in the University of Michigan Medical School. Featured Resource: CloneR™ Defined Supplement for Single-Cell Cloning of Human ES and iPS Cells Resources and Links Potential Role of Intratumor Bacteria in Mediating Tumor Resistance to the Chemotherapeutic Drug Gemcitabine – Tumor cells grown with bacteria could stave off a common chemotherapy drug gemcitabine because some bacteria can inactivate it. Seasonal Cycling in the Gut Microbiome of the Hadza Hunter-Gatherers of Tanzania – The microbiota of a group of hunter-gatherers in Tanzania undergo changes in composition depending on seasonal changes in their diets. Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation – Six scientists emerged from eight months of earthly isolation atop Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano in a NASA-funded experiment intended to simulate the social isolation of a Mars mission and explore the resulting psychological effects. Once-Abundant Ash Tree and Antelope Species Face Extinction – IUCN Red List – Populations of North America’s ash trees are in dramatic decline as a result of infections with invasive emerald ash borer beetles, with all but one the continent’s six species reclassified as critically endangered—one category away from extinction. UCLA Opens First Engineered Blood Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Cancers with the NY-ESO-1 Tumor Marker – UCLA opens first engineered blood stem cell clinical trial for cancers with the NY-ESO-1 tumor marker. Replacing Reprogramming Factors with Antibodies Selected from Combinatorial Antibody Libraries – Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute led by Kristin Baldwin have found a new approach to the “reprogramming” of ordinary adult cells into stem cells. Human Stem Cells Alter the Invasive Properties of Somatic Cells via Paracrine Activation of mTORC1 – Scientists from Markus Hengstschläger’s team at the Institute of Medical Genetics of MedUni Vienna have discovered the phenomenon of the “language of stem cells” where stem cells control the cells around them, inducing them to perform specific functions. Cytoplasmic and Nuclear TAZ Exert Distinct Functions in Regulating Primed Pluripotency – A protein called TAZ can convey very different signals—depending upon not only which variety of stem cell, but also which part of the stem cell receives it. An In Vitro Model of Lissencephaly: Expanding the Role of DCX during Neurogenesis – This article reports that by reprogramming skin cells into nerve cells, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden are creating cell models of the human brain. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Jack Parent Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Sep 12, 2017 · 1 hr 8 min
Ep. 100: “State of CIRM” Featuring Kevin McCormack
Guest: For the interview portion of the show of our 100th episode, we welcome Kevin McCormack from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM, to talk about all of CIRM’s progress, past, present, and future…CIRM was created in 2004 to translate stem cell discoveries into therapies, and we will talk to Kevin about the progress this funding has made. Featured Resource: mTeSR™1 cGMP, Feeder-Free Maintenance Medium for Human ES and iPS Cells Resources and Links First Hurricane Harvey, Now Irma: Is Climate Change to Blame for Destructive Storms? – The connection between climate change and hurricanes is to say that climate change doesn’t cause individual storms, but it can make them stronger than they would have been otherwise. Multicohort Analysis Reveals Baseline Transcriptional Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Responses – A set of nine genes can signal whether a young adult will develop a strong response to the flu vaccine. Zika Virus Has Oncolytic Activity Against Glioblastoma Stem Cells – Zika virus can infect and kill stem cells in human glioblastoma tissue, without infecting healthy brain cells. Human iPS Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons Function in a Primate Parkinson’s Disease Model – The Jun Takahashi lab shows monkeys with Parkinson’s disease symptoms show significant improvement over two years after being transplanted neurons prepared from human iPS cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Kevin McCormack Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Aug 29, 2017 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 99: “Wound Healing” Featuring Dr. Chandan Sen
Guest: Dr. Chandan Sen is Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Surgery at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Sen’s program is focused on tissue injury and repair. His group works across small and large animal models, to human and patient-based research. Resources and Links Embryos Kill Off Male Tissue to Become Female – A protein called COUP-TFII is necessary to eliminate male reproductive tissue from female mouse embryos. How an Itch Makes Its Way to Your Brain – Scientists have found the spot in your brain that makes you itch when others scratch. A New Tool to Improve Lyme Disease Diagnoses – This article reports that a new testing method can distinguish between early Lyme disease and a similar tick-borne illness. Gene Editing Creates Virus-Free Piglets – Researchers used molecular scissors known as CRISPR/Cas9 to snip embedded viruses out of pig DNA. Stem Cells May Be the Link Between Bacteria and Cancer – An interdisciplinary research team at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin in collaboration with researchers in Stanford, California, have now discovered that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori sends stem cell renewal in the stomach into overdrive – and stem cell turnover has been suspected by many scientists to play a role in the development of cancer. Stem Cells to Solve Hair Loss? – Researchers from UCLA have found a way to successfully reactivate stem cells in dormant hair follicles to promote hair growth in mice. Estrogen Receptor Stem Cells Found in Mammary Glands – Researchers have now identified a novel lineage-restricted stem cell in the mammary gland which in the future, will be used to assess whether the clinical heterogeneity observed in breast cancers arises from their different cancer cell of origin. Vitamin C Could Help Kill “Faulty” Blood Cancer Stem Cells – According to this article, vitamin C may ‘tell’ faulty stem cells in the bone marrow to mature and die normally, instead of multiplying to cause blood cancers. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Chandan Sen Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Aug 15, 2017 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 98: “Parkinson’s Cell Therapy” Featuring Dr. Dustin Wakeman
Guest: Dr. Dustin Wakeman is Senior Research Scientist at RxGen and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Wakeman focuses his career on determining the long-term therapeutic value of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders. His interests include stem cell-based therapeutics, disease modeling, neural transplantation, and morphological and molecular changes in aging and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and more. Featured Resource: STEMdiff™ Cerebral Organoid Kit Resources and Links Gene Editing of Human Embryos Gets Rid of a Mutation that Causes Heart Failure – Molecular scissors known as CRISPR/Cas9 corrected a gene defect that can lead to heart failure. Mice with a Mutation Linked to Autism Affect Their Littermates’ Behavior – This article suggests that genetically normal littermates behave like mice that carry an autism-related mutation, despite not having the mutation themselves. One in Three U.S. Adults Takes Opioids, and Many Misuse Them – The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that in an in-person survey of more than 50,000 people, researchers estimated that 91.8 million, or 37.8 percent, of adults used prescription opioids in 2015. Stem Cell Brain Implants Could ‘Slow Ageing and Extend Life’, Study Shows – This article reveals that scientists have slowed down the ageing process by implanting stem cells into the brains of animals, raising hopes for new strategies to combat age-related diseases and extend the human lifespan. ONC201 May Inhibit Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewals by Altering Their Gene Expression – According to this article, ONC201 alters the gene expression of cancer stem cell markers and signaling pathways prior to killing the tumor cells, providing pharmacodynamic biomarkers of response. Researchers Develop New Way to Develop Purer Insulin-Producing Stem Cells – Researchers have found that the cell surface protein glycoprotein 2 allowed them to isolate the pancreatic endoderm cells; enabling them to get a purer sample of cells which could increase their effectiveness and safety when implanted into humans. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Dustin Wakeman Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Aug 1, 2017 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 97: “CryoPause” Featuring Dr. Mark Tomishima
Guest: Dr. Mark Tomishima is an Associate Laboratory Member and Sloan Kettering Institute Stem Cell Research Facility Manager. Mark joins us to talk about all things stem cells, including his latest published work on standardizing protocols that start with pluripotent stem cells. Featured Resource: FreSR™-S Animal Component-Free Medium for Freezing ES and iPS Cells as Single Cells Resources and Links Cows to Produce HIV Antibodies – This article reveals that in a first for any animal, including humans, four cows injected with a type of HIV protein rapidly produced powerful antibodies against the virus. The Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Aircraft Takeoff Performance – Steadily rising mean and extreme temperatures as a result of climate change will likely impact the air transportation system over the coming decades. CRISPR to Store Movies in DNA – A team from Harvard University use the current trendy gene-editing system CRISPR to encode images and a short movie into the DNA of living bacteria. Beverage Intake During Pregnancy and Childhood Adiposity – The more sugary beverages a mom drank during mid-pregnancy, the heavier her kids were in elementary school compared with kids whose mothers consumed less of the drinks. Just One Night of Poor Sleep Can Boost Alzheimer’s Proteins – This article reports that sleep deprivation increases amyloid-β, suggesting that chronically disrupted sleep may promote amyloid plaques and other downstream Alzheimer’s disease pathologies including tauopathy or inflammation. Innate Reaction of Hematopoietic Stem Cells to Severe Infections – Researchers have shown that hematopoietic stem cells detect infectious agents themselves and begin to divide – that is, without signals from growth factors. New Approach to Kill Tumor Cells in the Brain – A team of investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have developed cancer-killing viruses that can deliver stem cells via the carotid artery, and applied them to metastatic tumors in the brains of clinically relevant mouse models. Human Cells from Schizophrenia Patients Injected into Newborn Mice Render Them Schizophrenic Like – Lab mice whose brains were injected with cells from schizophrenia patients became afraid of strangers, slept fitfully, felt intense anxiety, struggled to remember new things, and showed other signs of the mental disorder. Bioengineered Arteries Grown from Stem Cells – Scientists have produced cells that grow into fully functional arteries and are on their way to clinical applications. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Mark Tomishima Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe