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The Stem Cell Podcast

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

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  • Oct 27, 2015 · 1 hr 14 min

    Ep. 56: “Glia” Featuring Dr. Steven Goldman

    Guest: Dr. Steven Goldman from the University of Rochester talks about glial cells and his work using neural stem cells to model and fix diseases, like multiple sclerosis. Resources and Links Can a Cancer Drug Reverse Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia? – A drug that’s already approved for treating leukemia appears to dramatically reduce symptoms in people who have Parkinson’s disease with dementia, or a related condition called Lewy body dementia. Study Shows Antioxidant Use May Promote Spread of Cancer – Scientists at the Children’s Research Institute at The University of Texas Southwestern have made a discovery that suggests cancer cells benefit more from antioxidants than normal cells, raising concerns about the use of dietary antioxidants by patients with cancer. Sitting for Long Periods Is No Worse for Your Health than Standing, Study Claims – This article reveals that prolonged sitting doesn’t appear to be killing you any faster than standing. Does Fungus Cause Alzheimer’s? – In this article, researchers discover traces of fungus in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers. Schizophrenia Symptoms Linked to Features of Brain’s Anatomy? – This article describes how Washington University psychiatrist C. Robert Cloninger, MD, PhD, and fellow researchers have matched certain behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia to features of the brain’s anatomy using advanced brain imaging. Can Diamonds Detect Cancer? – A new study out of Australia found that synthetic versions of diamonds to be effective at detecting early-stage cancerous tumors through magnetic resonance imaging. Armed Malaria Protein Found to Kill Cancer Cells – A new type of cancer therapy based on seemingly unrelated elements of malaria and cancer is showing promise for development. Ebola Found in the Semen of Some Men Nine Months Later – This article reveals that some men still have fragments of Ebola virus in their semen nine months after first showing symptoms of the virus. Larger Brains Do Not Lead to High IQs – This article shows that brain volume plays only a minor role in explaining IQ test performance in humans, but rather brain structure and integrity appear to be more important as a biological foundation of IQ. AIDS Pioneer Finally Brings AIDS Vaccine to Clinic – Robert Gallo’s team has been developing a vaccine with an unusual method of protection for 15 years and is now launching the first clinical trial of it in collaboration with Profectus BioSciences, a biotech that spun off from Institute of Human Virology. Newly Unraveled Dynamic Structure of DNA Could Pave Way for Better Medicines – This article reports that an improved understanding of the appearance of the DNA – shown in research to have a dynamic, constantly wiggling and morphing nature – is believed to help scientists in producing new antibiotics, more effective chemotherapies and better drugs. First ‘In Womb’ Stem Cell Trial to Begin – This article announced the first clinical trial injecting fetal stem cells into babies that are still in the womb. Scientists Produce Beef from Cow’s Stem Cells: Lab-Grown Burgers Could Be on the Menu by 2020 – Professor Mark Post who created the lab-grown burger made from stem cells in his lab facility in Maastricht, The Netherlands is developing the technology for mass production expressed confidence in having the novel product on the market in five years. Scottish Researchers Are 3D Printing Extremely Delicate Stem Cells – The team at Heriot-Watt led by Dr. Will Shu, at the University’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, have the distinction of being the first group to 3D print with stem cells, using a valve-based technique. Single Cell RNA-Sequencing of Pluripotent States Unlocks Modular Transcriptional Variation – Researchers find that the cellular transcriptomes of cells grown in three different conditions: serum, 2i, and the alternative ground state a2i, are distinct, with 2i being the most similar to blastocyst cells and including a subpopulation resembling the two-cell embryo state. Neural Stem Cells Rescue Cognitive and Motor Dysfunction in a Transgenic Model of Dementia with Lewy Bodies through a BDNF-Dependent Mechanism – This article describes how striatal transplantation of neural stem cells into aged α-synuclein transgenic mice significantly improves performance in multiple cognitive and motor domains. Vascular Platform to Define Hematopoietic Stem Cell Factors and Enhance Regenerative Hematopoiesis – Researchers demonstrate that AKT1-activated bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC-Akt1) have a unique transcription factor/cytokine profile that supports functional hematopoietic stem cells in lieu of complex serum and cytokine supplementation and the transplantation of BMEC-Akt1 cells enhanced regenerative hematopoiesis following myeloablative irradiation. Crestospheres: Long-Term Maintenance of Multipotent, Premigratory Neural Crest Stem Cells – This article shows the conditions that enable maintenance of neuroepithelial “crestospheres” that self-renew and retain multipotency for weeks. Model of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinomas Reveals Striking Enrichment in Cancer Stem Cells – Researchers present a transplantable tumor line, maintained in immune-compromised mice, and validate it as a bona fide model of human fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinomas by multiple methods. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Steven Goldman Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Oct 14, 2015 · 1 hr 8 min

    Ep. 55: Biomaterials and Stem Cells Featuring Dr. David Mooney

    Guest: Dr. David Mooney, Professor of Bioengineering at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences discusses his work using biomaterials to help stem cells more efficiently integrate after transplantation. Resources and Links Gene-Editing Record Smashed in Pigs – Researchers modify more than 60 genes using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in effort to enable organ transplants into humans. NASA Discovers Evidence for Liquid Water on Mars – NASA scientists have found compelling evidence that liquid water exists on Mars based on the “recurring slope lineae,” patches of precipitated salt that appear to dribble down Mars’ steep slopes like tears rolling gently down a cheek. Stem Cell Fraud: A 60 Minutes Investigation – Scott Pelley confronts one disgraced doctor offering false hope to a family with a disabled child using unproven stem cell treatment. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. David Mooney Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Sep 29, 2015 · 1 hr 13 min

    Ep. 54: Stem Cell Lineage Tracing Featuring Dr. Andrew Cohen

    Guest: Dr. Andrew Cohen, Associate Professor at Drexel University, discusses his work on creating new software and programs to track stem cell lineages using time lapse video data. Resources and Links Antidepressants plus Blood-Thinners Slow Down Brain Cancer – Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne scientists found that combining antidepressants with anticoagulants slows down brain tumors in mice. Seasonal Body Clocks Are Controlled By ‘Calendar Cells’: Scientists Identify Proteins that Determine When Mammals Mate – According to this article, experts found that “calendar cells” in a structure called the ‘pars tuberalis’ respond according to how much daylight there is and can change dramatically over the year, driving the seasonal reproductive cycle. Wine’s Darkest Secret Revealed – It’s All in the Fungi – This article reveals that a type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, makes a “small but significant” contribution to a wine’s flavor and taste. Edges of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies Display Distinct Mechanical Properties and Differentiation Potential – This article describes the results found after the live imaging of the differentiation process of human embryonic stem cells, and reveals that cells on the outer edge of the undifferentiated colony begin to differentiate first and remain on the perimeter of the colony to eventually form a band of differentiation. Orthostatic Hypotension May Indicate Neurological Disease – According to this article, orthostatic hypotension may be an early warning sign of a serious neurological disease and may be associated with an increased risk of premature death. Why People in ‘Tall’ Nations Are More Likely to Be Slim – Researchers from Australia looked at nearly 9,500 people in 14 European countries and found a strong connection between genes that boost height and those associated with lower amounts of body fat. Salsalate Drug Offers New Hope for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease and FTD – Scientists from the Gladstone Institutes discovered that salsalate, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, effectively reversed tau-related dysfunction in an animal model of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A Barrier against Brain Stem Cell Aging – Scientists from the University of Zurich identified a diffusion barrier that regulates the sorting of damaged proteins during cell division. New Study Finds Brain Disease in 95% of Deceased NFL Players – Researchers found evidence of brain disease in 95% of brains tested belongs to former NFL players with the repeated minor head trauma as the biggest risk to neurological health for footballers. Pinpointing Punishment – This study describes a new study co-authored by Joshua Buckholtz, an Assistant Professor of Psychology, René Marois, professor and chair of psychology at Vanderbilt and colleagues, explaining how a brain region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex coordinates third party punishment decisions of the type made by judges and juries. UK Scientists Apply for License to Edit Genes in Human Embryos – Scientists from London’s Francis Crick Institute have asked for permission to edit the genomes of human embryos use CRISPR/Cas9 technology — a request that could lead to the world’s first approval of such research by a national regulatory body. New Technique Lets Scientists Better See, Study Interface Where Two Cells Touch – University of Buffalo researchers and their colleagues at other institutions conducted a study to better understand myelin and the fatty insulator that enables communication between nerve cells. They studied how damage to myelin occurs, and how that damage may be repaired. Sonogenetics Is a Non-Invasive Approach to Activating Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans – Researchers demonstrate the use of low-pressure ultrasound as a non-invasive trigger to activate specific ultrasonically sensitized neurons in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Stem Cell Manufacturing Now Ready – This article announces the availability of master cell banks for induced pluripotent stem cells, hoping for U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval on its manufacturing process. cGMP-Manufactured Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Are Available for Pre-Clinical and Clinical Applications – In this article, researchers develop a process for the manufacturing of induced pluripotent stem cells master cell banks under current good manufacturing practice (cGMPs) and announce the availability of such banks. SD Science Calendar: Nobels, Stem Cells and Robots – This article shows the calendar of events starting with the future of digital mobile health, Nobel prize week with predictions, stem cell meeting on the Mesa, and contextual robotics. Failed Replications Put STAP Stem-Cell Claims to Rest – This article provides an account of the history of stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP) stem cells and how multiple labs conclude that the seemingly miraculous results originated from contamination with ordinary stem cells, putting the controversy to rest. Vatican to Host Conference on Stem Cells, Other Regenerative Medicine – The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and Its Cultural Impact will be held at the Vatican from April 28 to 30, 2016 with the goal of engaging in discussions about the potential for adult stem cells, and other ethical cellular therapies, to treat cancer, diabetes, and other debilitating medical conditions and diseases. Hallmarks of Pluripotency – Researchers describe the functional and molecular hallmarks of pluripotent stem cells, propose a checklist for their evaluation, and illustrate how forensic genomics can validate their provenance. Cpf1 Is a Single RNA-Guided Endonuclease of a Class 2 CRISPR-Cas System – This article reports how the researchers do the characterization of Cpf1, a putative class 2 CRISPR effector, demonstrating that Cpf1 mediates robust DNA interference with features distinct from Cas9. Scientists Discover New System for Human Genome Editing with Potential to Increase Power and Precision of Genome Engineering – A team, including the scientist who first harnessed the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 system for mammalian genome editing, has now identified a different CRISPR system with the potential for even simpler and more precise genome engineering. Deep Imaging of Bone Marrow Shows Non-Dividing Stem Cells Are Mainly Perisinusoidal – Researchers use a green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in for the gene Ctnnal1 in mice (α–catulinGFP), and discover that α–catulinGFP is expressed by only 0.02% of bone marrow hematopoietic cells, including almost all hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic Differentiation Is Required for Initiation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia – This article shows that myeloid differentiation to granulocyte macrophage progenitors is required for leukemia stem cell formation and acute myeloid leukemia initiation. Generation of Self-Renewing Hepatoblasts From Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Chemical Approaches – This article describes how human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatoblasts can be captured and stably maintained using conditions previously established for mouse hepatoblast self-renewal, which includes basal media supplemented with insulin, transferrin, sodium selenite, epidermal growth factor, glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, transforming growth factor β receptor inhibitor, lysophosphatidic acid, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Andrew Cohen Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Sep 15, 2015 · 1 hr 5 min

    Ep. 53: Automated iPS Cells Featuring Dr. Scott Noggle

    Guest: Dr. Scott Noggle, VP of Stem Cell Research at The New York Stem Cell Foundation discusses his automated system for making iPS cells. Dr. Noggle applies new advances in pluripotent stem cell biology and cell reprogramming to the creation of human models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease to discover new disease targets.

  • Aug 18, 2015 · 1 hr 4 min

    Ep. 51: Stem Cell Theranostics Featuring Dr. Chris Armstrong

    Guest: Dr. Chris Armstrong, CEO of Stem Cell Theranostics, joins the hosts to discuss his company and how they are using iPSCs to model cardiovascular disease. Resources and Links Elusive Liver Stem Cell Identified in Mice by Researchers – Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine identified a cell type in the liver of mice that can both self-renew and make new liver cells. Can Crime Scene Compound Stop Malaria? – Luminol, the glowing compound detectives spray at crime scenes to find trace amounts of blood, may one day be used to kill the malaria parasite. Anti-Smoking Bacteria Found to Eat Nicotine – Scientists discovered anti-smoking bacteria called Pseudomas putida that eat nicotine before it reaches the brain. How To Reach ‘Extreme Old Age’: Scientists Reveal the Secret of Living to 100 Years Old – There is a good chance centenarians and super-centenarians – those who live to 105 and longer – will pass on their ‘long life’ genes on to their children. Non-Magnetic Metals Turned Magnetic in Groundbreaking Research – A team of scientists led by the University of Leeds has been able to turn the non-magnetic materials manganese and copper magnetic. Study Offers First Genetic Analysis of People with Extremely High Intelligence – The first ever genetic analysis of people with extremely high intelligence has revealed small but important genetic differences between some of the brightest people in the United States and the general population. 3D Brain Map Reveals Connections Between Cells in Nano-Scale – Scientists have created an unprecedented high-resolution map of the brain that reveals structures as small as those found in individual nerve cells. Stem Cells Help Researchers Determine Toxicity of Pollution – The effects of BPA on mouse stem cells could be detected and measured in lab tests by researchers. MicroRNA-153 Regulates the Acquisition of Gliogenic Competence by Neural Stem Cells – This article shows that miR-mediated fine control of nuclear factor I A/B expression is important in the molecular networks that regulate the acquisition of gliogenic competence by neural stem/progenitor cells in the developing CNS. Activating Endogenous Neural Precursor Cells Using Metformin Leads to Neural Repair and Functional Recovery in a Model of Childhood Brain Injury – Metformin activates endogenous neural precursor cells in the neonatal brain. A Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Hemogenic Endothelium Reveals Differential Regulation of Hematopoiesis by SOX17 – This article states that proteomics accurately identifies regulatory proteins in hematopoietic progenitors. Genome Editing. The Mutagenic Chain Reaction: A Method For Converting Heterozygous To Homozygous Mutations – In this article, researchers developed a method called the mutagenic chain reaction, which is based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system for generating autocatalytic mutations, to produce homozygous loss-of-function mutations. Caution Urged over Editing DNA in Wildlife (Intentionally Or Not) – This article discusses the effects of rapid alteration of gene pools which could fight disease but can harm ecosystems. Automated, High-Throughput Derivation, Characterization And Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers demonstrate that automated reprogramming and the pooled selection of polyclonal pluripotent cells results in high-quality, stable induced pluripotent stem cells. Prediction Of Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Injury Mechanisms with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cells and Machine Learning Methods – This article describes how the researchers developed a rapid 1-step protocol for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into proximal tubular-like cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Chris Armstrong Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Aug 4, 2015 · 1 hr 9 min

    Ep. 50: Global Perspective Featuring George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute

    Guest: For this episode, we bring on internationally recognized stem cell pioneer Dr. George Daley from Children’s Hospital Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to discuss all things stem cells. Resources and Links New Ebola Vaccine Has ‘100 Percent’ Effectiveness in Early Results – Researchers announced promising results of a new vaccine’s trial called Ebola ça Suffit — French for “Ebola that’s enough” funded by World Health Organization, in Guinea, one of several countries affected by a historic outbreak in West Africa. Synthetic Ribosome Can Keep Bacteria Alive – According to this article, scientists have engineered a tethered ribosome that works nearly as well as the real thing—an organelle that produces all the proteins and enzymes within the cell. Anxiety and Depression Caused By Stress Linked to Gut Bacteria Living in Intestines, Scientists Find – Anxious and depressive behavior brought on by exposure to stress in early life appears only to be triggered if microbes are present in the gut. Scientists Have Discovered the Taste of Fat and Say It Could Hold the Key to Tackling Obesity – Scientists describe the taste of fat as a unique and unpleasant taste called oleogustus, and suggest that its identification could lead to new ways of fighting obesity and heart disease, and to the creation of improved fat replacements. Study Shows Glitazone Antidiabetic Drug May Reduce Risk of Parkinson’s Disease – Researchers found that diabetes patients taking glitazone antidiabetes drugs (either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) had a 28% lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease than people taking other treatments for diabetes who had never taken glitazones. Long-term Memories Are Maintained by Prion-like Proteins – Research from Eric Kandel’s lab at Columbia University Medical Center reveals that different prions are critical for the long-term storage of memories. Astronomers Spot Black Hole So big, It Defies Current Theories of Galaxy Evolution – This article describes the discovery of a galaxy called CID-947 with a black hole that makes up 10% of its mass has left scientists dumbfounded, possibly overturning current theories of how galaxies evolve. Physicists Confirm Existence of Rare Pentaquarks – Professors Sheldon Stone and Tomasz Skwarnicki, doctoral student Nathan Jurik and former University research associate Liming Zhang are on the team that has confirmed the existence of two rare pentaquark states. Should Aborted Foetuses Be Used for Stem Cell Research? –Recent incident where US company Planned Parenthood was found to be offering foetal tissue to buyers without the parents’ knowledge has raised serious ethical questions around the use of foetuses in stem cell research. Four Stem-Cell Stocks With Promise – Reni Benjamin, a biotech analyst at Raymond James Financial shared four stem cell stocks that has upside potential in the second half of the year. From Dish to Bedside: Lessons Learned While Translating Findings from a Stem Cell Model of Disease to a Clinical Trial – Scientists share lessons while taking a discovery made using iPSCs into a clinical trial. Scientists Create Functional Liver Cells from Stem Cells – Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Alexander Grass Center for Bioengineering report that they produced large amounts of functional liver cells from human embryonic and genetic engineered stem cells. Researchers Create Model of Early Human Heart Development from Stem Cells – UC Berkeley researchers, in collaboration with scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, have developed a template for growing beating cardiac tissue from stem cells, creating a system that could serve as a model for early heart development and as a drug-screening tool to make pregnancies safer. Stem Cells Could Treat Mitochondrial Disease – Researchers generated human stem cells in the lab, repaired common mitochondrial defects, and reported they were able to rescue cell function. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals a Population of Dormant Neural Stem Cells that Become Activated upon Brain Injury – This article unveils general principles underlying neural stem cell activation and lineage priming and opens potential avenues for regenerative medicine in the brain. Generation of Vascular Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers report the rapid and efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Functional Correction of Large Factor VIII Gene Chromosomal Inversions in Hemophilia a Patient-Derived iPSCs Using CRISPR-Cas9 – CRISPR-Cas9 and targeted sgRNAs can revert large inversions in hemophilia A iPSCs. Robust In Vitro Induction of Human Germ Cell Fate from Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers show that human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiate into incipient mesoderm-like cells, which robustly generate human primordial germ cell-like cells that can be purified using the surface markers EpCAM and INTEGRINα6. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Jul 21, 2015 · 2 hr 29 min

    Ep. 49: SCP Sweden Part 2 – Live Interviews from the ISSCR Conference in Sweden 2015

    Guest: In this episode we give you the second part of our broadcast live from the ISSCR 2015 International Conference from Stockholm, Sweden. On the show, we randomly pull attendees aside and ask them to us their stem cell story, and detail some of their research topics and accomplishments. Some of those interviewed on the show include Dr. Sean Morrison, the President of ISSCR, and Dr. Paul Tesar of Case Western Reserve University. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Jul 7, 2015 · 2 hr 29 min

    Ep. 48: SCP Sweden Part 1 – Live Interviews from the ISSCR Conference in Sweden 2015

    Guest: In this episode we broadcast live from the ISSCR 2015 International Conference from Stockholm, Sweden. On the show, we randomly pull attendees aside and ask them to us their stem cell story, and detail some of their research topics and accomplishments. Everyone from graduate students, post-docs, patients who have received stem cell transplants, to big name researchers, we get them all. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Jun 23, 2015 · 38 min

    Ep. 47: The Stem Cell Podcast Round Up Only

    Guest: In this episode we discuss topics ranging from, more sports stars getting stem cell therapy, a mutation that eliminates prion disease, a perspective on aging by studying stem cells, chimps getting drunk in the wild on there own, a Nobel laureate who made awful comments regarding women in science and your birthdate as a predictor of disease. Resources and Links Scientists Film Death of White Blood Cell for First Time and Discover Alert System – Australian and US scientists capture on video each stage of death of a human white blood cell, revealing the dying cells apparently try to alert their neighbors by ejecting molecules into nearby cells, possibly to alert them to the potential presence of a pathogen. Sun like It Hot: Philae Comet Probe Wakes up, Phones Home Again – European Space Agency has confirmed that the Philae probe on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has been in contact again, and that the lander is getting more than enough sunshine on its solar panels to power itself continuously. Molecules Reach Coldest Temperature Ever – This article describes how the MIT researchers chilled a gas of sodium potassium 500 nanokelvin. New Study: Chimps Go Bananas over Palm Wine – Scientists report that chimps in western Africa have taken to purloining drinks from vats of palm wine left unguarded by humans. Autism Risk May Be Influenced by Age Gap Between Parents – Researchers have demonstrated with the largest ever multinational study of parental age and autism risk that the children of teen mothers, older parents and parents with an age gap of ten years or more have a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder than other children. Nobel Prize-winning Professor Tim Hunt Resigns after Sexist Remarks about ‘Girls’ in Lab – The Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Tim Hunt stepped down from his position at the University College London after making sexist comments at the World Conference of Science Journalists in South Korea. Your Birth Month May Predict Your Health Issues: Heart Disease Rates Higher March to June – This article explores the relationship between the month a person is born and their risk for disease according to the algorithm created by scientists from Columbia University. Traditional Medicine: Thunder God Vine as Potential Obesity Treatment – An extract from the thunder god vine, long used in traditional Chinese medicine, reduces food intake and causes up to a 45% decrease in body weight in obese mice because of its weight-loss compound called Celastrol, which produces its potent effects by enhancing the action of an appetite-suppressing hormone called leptin. Virotherapy: Skin Cancer Successfully Treated with Herpes-Based Drug – This article describes how ‘virotherapy’ uses modified herpes virus to attack melanoma cells and has potential to overcome cancer even when disease has spread throughout the body. Pop Music’s Most Important Revolution? That Would be Hip-Hop, Science Reveals – Engineers and biologists analyzed 17,000 digitized songs from Billboard’s Hot 100 to produce an evolutionary history of American popular music and determined that Hip-Hop was more influential than Beatles. Genes Make Some People More Attractive to Mosquitoes – Certain body odors appear to entice the mosquitoes and those smells may be hereditary. Stanford Stem Cell Product, Delayed for More than a Decade, to Be Tested Again – Stanford’s Irv Weissman is said to resume his research after a decade of delay in creating a unique way to grow and deliver blood stem cells to desperate patients with aggressive cancers, boosting survival rates. Former NFL Quarterback Bart Starr Took Part in Stem Cell Trial – Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr is participating in a clinical trial using stem cells as a possible treatment for strokes. Avocado a Treatment for Leukemia? Fruit Molecules Found to Target Stem Cells of Cancer – Scientists have learned that avocado lipids used in making a compound named avocation B can help treat leukemia stem cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Protein Plays Unexpected Role in Embryonic Stem Cells – Scientists discovered that a nucleoporin called Nup153 (green) control how embryonic stem cells (blue) develop. Stem Cells Used to Induce Mouse Hearts to Repair Themselves – Researchers at the Temple University School of Medicine induced the damaged cells of a heart in a mouse model to heal themselves using exosomes from stem cells. Programming and Reprogramming Cellular Age in the Era of Induced Pluripotency – This article discusses how induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) research may transform studies of aging and enable the precise programming of cellular age in parallel to cell-fate specification. Efficient Detection and Purification of Cell Populations Using Synthetic MicroRNA Switches – This article describes an efficient method for purifying cells based on endogenous miRNA activity. A Cost-Effective and Efficient Reprogramming Platform for Large-Scale Production of Integration-Free Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Chemically Defined Culture – Researchers describe their optimization procedure for induced pluripotent stem cells technology that enables a single technician to make 20–40 lines at a time in a 24–96 well format in a reliable and reproducible fashion. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Jun 9, 2015 · 55 min

    Ep. 46: “ISSCR Conference Preview” Featuring Dr. Heather Rooke

    Guest: Heather Rooke, Science Director at ISSCR previews the 2015 ISSCR conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Resources and Links Sawfish Resort to Virgin Births to Dodge Extinction – Scientists have discovered that some of the smalltooth sawfish have resorted to “virgin births” or what is called facultative parthenogenesis in the wild in an effort to survive. First Steps Taken for Regenerating Whole Limbs – The first steps toward developing “bioartificial” replacement limbs that are suitable for transplantation have reportedly been taken by a team at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Study Uncovers Link Between Blood Type and Risk of Cognitive Decline – This article reveals that blood type also may affect cognitive function as we age according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield in England. ‘Landmark Discovery’ of Vessels Connecting Brain to Immune System – The University of Virginia claim that “decades of textbook teaching” have been overturned by their researchers, who have found a previously undiscovered connection between the brain and the immune system. ‘Female Viagra’ Won’t Help Many, but That’s Not Stopping the Drug Company – This article describes the transition of Flibanserin, a pill initially intended to be an anti-depressant, to be marketed as a ‘female viagra’ or a pill to increase women’s sexual desires. Ubble: The Online Test to Predict If You’ll Die Within Five Years – According to this article, if you are a middle-aged man and want to know if you are going to die in the next five years, you simply need to ask yourself how healthy you think you are based on the website called Ubble (for UK Longevity Explorer). How an Undergraduate Discovered Tubes of Plasma in the Sky – This article describes the discovery of tubes of plasma drifting above Earth by an undergraduate student – Cleo Loi of Sydney Institute for Astronomy. The Philosophy of the Large Hadron Collider – The Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN in Geneva has been built for fundamental physics, but it will also challenge and advance the philosophy, sociology and history of science. This Smart Robot Learns to ‘Heal’ Itself after Damage – Researchers at Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris recently published their paper detailing their findings of attempting to quantify the adaptive “healing” abilities of certain robots. It’s Alive! Yeast with Human DNA Raises New Genetic Possibilities – Edward Marcotte and his colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin created hundreds of strains of humanized yeast by inserting a single human gene into each strain and turning off the corresponding yeast gene. Retracted Gay-Marriage Study Debated at Misconduct Meet-Up – This article reports that over rum cocktails at the World Conference on Research Integrity, experts discussed what can be learnt from the fallout of a flawed political-science paper. 430,000-Year-Old Skull Suggests Murder Is an ‘Ancient Human Behavior’ – Archaeologists found an ancient skull deep in a cave in Spain, thought to be an evidence of the earliest known murder among our ancestors. Fetal Cells Injected into a Man’s Brain to Cure His Parkinson’s – This article shows a man in his mid-50s who had fetal brain cells injected into his brain as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Nature vs. Nurture: Research Shows it’s Both – Researchers reveal that on average the variation for human traits and diseases is 49 percent genetic, and 51 percent due to environmental factors and/or measurement errors. Gene-Editing: Hold Off for Now, White House Says – The White House suggests that scientists should hold off on experiments that could permanently alter people’s DNA and pass the changes along to future generations. Seminar Series on Stem Cells Begins June 24th – The Dallas PRP and Stem Cell Institute announces a new public seminar series to educate the public about the latest breakthrough applications for platelet rich plasma and autologous stem cells. Sex Hormones Maintain Stem Cells, May Explain Why 95% of Supercentenarians Are Women – This article suggests that a long life comes down to an individual’s sex hormones, especially for supercentenarians according to emerging stem cell research. Functional Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells on a Chip – This article describes a robust microfluidics-based approach for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells directly on a chip. A CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Selection-free Knockin Strategy in Human Embryonic Stem Cells – Researchers recently developed an efficient gene-editing platform – iCRISPR, demonstrating a knockin strategy without drug selection for both active and silent genes in human embryonic stem cells. Functional Cortical Neurons and Astrocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in 3D Culture – This article presents a simple and reproducible 3D culture approach for generating a laminated cerebral cortex–like structure, named human cortical spheroids, from pluripotent stem cells. Transcriptome Signature and Regulation in Human Somatic Cell Reprogramming – Scientists extends the previous transcriptome studies by performing RNA-seq on cells defined by a combination of multiple cellular surface markers. Limited Hair Cell Induction from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Simple Stepwise Method – This article examines the efficacy of a simple induction method for inducing the differentiation of human iPS cells into hair cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Heather Rooke Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • May 26, 2015 · 46 min

    Ep. 45: “Differentiation” Featuring Alex Hannay

    Guest: Alex Hannay, product manager at Thermo Fisher talks about the process of differentiation from pluripotent stem cells and new products that could help. Resources and Links This Genetically Modified Yeast Can Now Brew Morphine – Biologists in California and Canada have created strains of yeast that can feast on sugar and make opiates – the key ingredients in pain relievers like morphine. Juvenile Plasticity Returned to Adult Mice Brains – UC Irvine scientists have managed to make an old brain young again by transplanting a type of embryonic neuron into the brains of adult mice. Why Do Men Still Exist? Scientists Finally Find the Answer – This article suggests that sexual competition for mates keeps populations healthy, free of disease and genetically diverse. Discovery of Rare Quadruple Quasar System Baffles Astronomers – Astronomers have discovered four of the rare, super-luminous celestial objects known as quasars arrayed in close proximity to one another. New Test Detects Drug Use from a Single Fingerprint – This article describes a new, non-invasive test presented by researchers that can detect cocaine use through a simple fingerprint. Ocata Therapeutics Announces Positive Results in Treating Macular Degeneration Using Fully Differentiated Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells in Asian Patients – Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. announces a study that has been published that includes top-line, positive results in Asian patients who were treated with Ocata’s proprietary RPE cells, manufactured using its DeltaCell™ Technology. First Database of Brain-cell Types Released by Allen Institute – Seattle’s Allen Institute for Brain Science has released the first database of brain cell types, along with new analysis to improve treatment of deadly brain cancer. ‘Brain Wiring’ May Influence Ability to Quit Smoking Successfully – Researchers from Duke Medicine in Durham, NC found that even with the help of nicotine replacement therapy and other smoking cessation aids, some smokers are just unable to quit the habit because their brains are not hard-wired to. Drug-Resistant Strain of ‘Superbug’ Typhoid Spreads Worldwide – An antibiotic-resistant “superbug” strain of typhoid fever has spread globally, driven by a single family of the bacteria, called H58. Male Sperm Cells Grown for First Time: French Laboratory – Scientists from Kallistem, a company in Lyon, France had successfully transformed scraps of genetic material into fully functioning sperm. Gordie Howe Still at Center of Stem Cell Controversy – This article discusses the controversy and debate between the families of John Brodie and Gordie Howe who received stem cell treatments after suffering from massive strokes and other skeptics. Stem-Cell Clinics Spread Rapidly – More than 170 clinics across the country are selling experimental stem-cell procedures for dozens of diseases and conditions – a mushrooming industry that has flourished despite little evidence of its safety or effectiveness. Doubts Cast on ‘Rejuvenating’ Protein – The Novartis group say the Harvard group’s explanation is wrong, although the group does not question that young blood renews old mice, they casts doubt on the assays used in the earlier research and suggests that GDF11 actually inhibits muscle regeneration. Human Stem-Cell Images as Fashion? – Human stem cells have taken on new roles at the University of Michigan — brilliant blue fashion accessories specifically silk scarves and ties bearing images of microscopic stem cells, their nuclei a fluorescent turquoise on a cobalt backdrop. Stem Cells Could Provide a Treatment for a ‘Broken Heart’ – This article describes the research done by scientists studying the adult stem cells in mice that can develop into heart cells paving the way to improved heart condition. Bone Healing in Diabetics Could Be Enhanced through Human Stem Cells – Adding stem cells from human bone marrow could enhance the repair process of broken bones in patients with diabetes. Derivation and Characterization of Human Embryonic Stem Cells on Human Amnion Epithelial Cells – This article describes the derivation and propagation of human embryonic stem cell lines using human amnion epithelial cells as a feeder layer. Reinforcement of STAT3 Activity Reprogrammes Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Naive-Like Pluripotency – Scientists examine the capacity of STAT3 to confer leukemia inhibitory factor dependency to human embryonic stem celland to reprogramme these towards naive pluripotency. A Hyaluronan-Based Injectable Hydrogel Improves the Survival and Integration of Stem Cell Progeny following Transplantation – Researchers designed an injectable and bioresorbable hydrogel blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose and tested it with two cell types in two animal models, thereby gaining an understanding of its general applicability for enhanced cell distribution, survival, integration, and functional repair relative to conventional cell delivery in saline. Drug Perks Up Old Muscles and Aging Brains – Researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered that a small-molecule drug simultaneously perks up old stem cells in the brains and muscles of mice, a finding that could lead to drug interventions for humans that would make aging tissues throughout the body act young again. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Alex Hannay Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • May 12, 2015 · 1 hr 5 min

    Ep. 44: “Saratoga Stem Cell” Featuring Greg Smith, Christy Allen, Samantha Morris and Evangelos Kiskinis

    Guest: In this episode we discuss topics ranging from a chemical in vegetables that can destroy cancer stem cells, chewing gum to prevent signing a song over and over, the first report of germ line gene editing in human embryo, neuronal hyperactivity and neutral stem cells, and the discovery of a new pluripotent stem cell. The second half of the show comes live from The Next-Gen Stem Cell Conference in Saratoga NY, where we interview four scientists about their work and conference experience. Resources and Links Could High Blood Sugar Be a Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease? – Scientists suspect one of the drivers that causes the complex brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of plaques of a faulty protein called beta-amyloid and that too much sugar in the blood can speed up the production of this protein. Activin A Directs Striatal Projection Neuron Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells – Activin A induces lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) characteristics in nascent neural progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in a sonic hedgehog-independent manner. Take a Deep Breath: Patients Find Relief through 3D Printing – A patient suffering from the rare condition, tracheobronchomalacia was treated with the use of 3D printing to construct a splint that would support the weakened trachea. Relaxed DNA May Contribute to Aging – Analysis from scientists suggests that loosely wrapped DNA underlies the accelerated physical decline of Werner syndrome and promotes aging in the rest of the population. U of M Institute Discovers How Aspirin Fights Cancer – Researchers discovered that aspirin might exert its chemopreventive activity against colorectal cancer, at least partially, by normalizing the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in gastrointestinal precancerous lesions. Bat-Winged Dinosaur Discovery Poses Flight Puzzle – This article describes the fossilized remains of a small, feathered dinosaur, unearthed in eastern China, that probably sported bat-like wing membranes and might have been able to glide or fly short distances. Toward Efficient Enzymes for the Generation of Universal Blood through Structure-Guided Directed Evolution – Researchers describe a way to transform A and B blood into a type that, like O, could be universally donated by using enzymes to remove certain sugars in the blood. The Search for Satiety Neurons and How to Short Circuit Hunger – A team of researchers has found that a melanoncortin 4 receptor-regulated (MC4R) circuit serves as the neural link that inhibits and controls eating by promoting fullness and removing the almost painful sensation of grating hunger. Finding the Body Clock’s Molecular Reset Button – Researchers at McGill and Concordia universities in Montreal, report that the body’s clock is reset during the process known as phosphorylation, when a phosphate combines with a key protein in the brain. Chew Gum to Get Rid of That Song in Your Head: Study – This article reveals that chewing gum could be the best way to get rid of the annoying songs that play in our heads which some call as earworms, according to a team of researchers at the University of Reading in the U.K. Chinese Researchers Have Genetically Modified a Human Embryo—and Many Scientists Think They’ve Gone Too Far – This article discusses the research conducted by a team of scientists in China on altering the DNA of human embryos which many scientists contend that newly developed genetic-engineering methods need to be studied further in animals before running the risk of unpredictable human mutations and scarier developments in human evolution. Scientists Stumble Across Unknown Stem-Cell Type – According to this article, a newly discovered type of stem cell could help provide a model for early human development — and, eventually, allow human organs to be grown in large animals such as pigs or cows for research or therapeutic purposes. Medical First: Baby Born With Assist from Stem Cells – Doctors in Canada have delivered what is believed to be the first baby in the world born using a breakthrough in vitro fertilization treatment that employs stem cells. Vegetable Compound PEITC May Fight Cancer Stem Cells – This article reveals that a food compound derived from cruciferous vegetables called PEITC can kill cancer stem cells, which are responsible for cancer recurrence and spread. Ulcer-Causing Bacteria Manipulate Stomach Stem Cells to Their Own Ends – The Helicobacter pylori bacteria may be actively modifying stem cells in our stomachs, changing these critical cells’ behavior to suit it’s needs. New Way to Watch What Stem Cells Transplanted into the Brain Do Once They Get There – Neuroscientists came up with a way to peer deep into the living brain and view the results of a stem-cell transplant procedure by combining an established brain-imaging technique with a newer but increasingly widespread one, called optogenetics, that lets researchers stimulate specific cells. New Clues into How Stem Cells Get Their Identity – This article explains how the acquisition of a new cell identity is achieved; cells respond to information from their surroundings, in turn activating a specific combination of proteins at certain places on the DNA, to turn on a genetic programme. Odd Histone Helps Suppress Jumping Genes in Stem Cells, Study Says – One particular histone variant, the H3.3, appears to reduce the chance of potentially harmful changes in the stem cells that will eventually generate the various types of tissue that make up a living creature. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Saratoga National Golf Club Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Apr 28, 2015 · 1 hr 10 min

    Ep. 43: “A Closer Look At Stem Cells” Featuring Dr. Megan Munsie and Dr. Mario D’Cruz

    Guest: Dr. Megan Munsie and Dr. Mario D’Cruz discuss the launch of ISSCR’s new website “A Closer Look At Stem Cells” that aims to educate and empower people about stem cell biology and stem cell treatments. Resources and Links The Number One Cause of Depression — Everywhere – A group of researchers from around the world discovered that people who have suffered from abuse during their childhood are more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression — and even more so if they are genetically predisposed to the condition. Major Advance in Artificial Photosynthesis Poses Win/Win for the Environment – Artificial photosynthesis has been achieved with the development of a system that can capture carbon dioxide emissions before they are vented into the atmosphere and then, powered by solar energy, convert that carbon dioxide into valuable chemical products, including biodegradable plastics, pharmaceutical drugs and even liquid fuels. Resistance to Antibiotics Found in Isolated Amazonian Tribe – Scientists discovered that Yanomami hunter-gatherers’ gut bacteria have already evolved a diverse array of antibiotic-resistance genes, even though these mountain people had never ingested antibiotics or animals raised with drugs. Sarcasm Center Found in Brain’s White Matter, Explaining Stroke Victims’ Language Gap – Stroke victims often struggle to maintain language function, and regions governing sarcasm may get hit particularly hard. Danish Researchers Develop New Blood Test Able to Predict Future Breast Cancer – Scientists at the University of Copenhagen developed a blood test method that can predict future breast cancer, which led to better prevention and early treatment of the disease. Chimps Use Spears to Hunt – This article describes the capability of a troop of chimpanzees in southeastern Senegal to forge weapons to hunt, making them the only known group to use tools to injure or kill prey, and it turns out that females actually engage in this behavior more than males. Wild Chimps in Uganda Have Learned to Look Both Ways When Crossing the Roads – Wild chimpanzees are beginning to realize the importance of crossing roads safely, as scientists have observed them implementing similar safety precautions to us, such as looking both ways for oncoming traffic. Cow Milk Without the Cow Is Coming to Change Food Forever – A group of bio-hackers are trying to trick yeast cells into producing a substance that’s molecularly identical to milk using mail-order DNA. Drug-Based Modulation of Endogenous Stem Cells Promotes Functional Remyelination In Vivo – Scientists look into seven drugs function at nanomolar doses selectively to enhance the generation of mature oligodendrocytes from progenitor cells in vitro. Sale of Madison Company Could Be a Big Step for Stem Cell Research – The pending sale of Madison’s Cellular Dynamics International Inc. should end the company’s nagging financial struggles and could prove to be the moment that stem cell technology came of age, emerging from a blurry vision to a period of concrete medical advances — including the laboratory production of working human organs. UM Stem Cell Research Could Grow Bone, Potentially Treat Obesity – A new stem cell study conducted at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has isolated a trigger in stem cells which could be the key to growing bone and combating conditions like osteoporosis and obesity. Newly Found Stem Cell State Closer to Transitional Precipice – A study conducted by scientists at the University of Missouri shows that embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells may enter a state of heightened potency, one that can lead to all the main developmental cell lineages, including the placental trophoblast. Athersys Announces Results From Phase II Study of MultiStem(R) Cell Therapy for Treatment of Ischemic Stroke – This article describes the interim results from Athersys’ exploratory Phase 2 clinical study of the intravenous administration of MultiStem® cell therapy to treat patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke. “Open” Stem Cell Chromosomes Reveal New Possibilities for Diabetes – Researchers map chromosomal changes that must take place before stem cells can be used to produce pancreatic and liver cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Munsie and Dr. D’Cruz Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Apr 14, 2015 · 1 hr 4 min

    Ep. 42: “Neurogenesis” Featuring Dr. Fred Gage

    Guest: Neuroscientist and stem cell pioneer Dr. Fred “Rusty” Gage, a professor at the Salk Institute where he discusses past, present, and future work of stem cells and neurogenesis. Resources and Links Too Much of a Bad Thing Can Be Good in Brain Tumors – DNA mutations can cause cancer but in some cases, more mutations may mean a better prognosis for patients like the one subtype of the most malignant brain tumor, called glioblastoma, or GBM. Turbo-charging Hormone May Help Regrow the Heart, Animal Study Shows – Researchers at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute discovered how to stimulate muscle regrowth in the heart of a mouse, which could be particularly important in looking at new treatments for those who suffer future heart attacks. Aluminum Battery from Stanford Offers Safe Alternative to Conventional Batteries – Stanford University scientists have invented the first high-performance aluminum battery that’s fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive that could replace many of the lithium-ion and alkaline batteries in wide use today. Blackpoll Warblers Migrate Thousands of Miles across Atlantic Ocean, Scientists Find – A team of ornithologists led by William DeLuca of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, reports the first direct evidence that the blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata), relatively small songbirds, completes an autumn trans-Atlantic migration ranging from 2,270 to 2,770 km (1,410 to 1,721 miles) and requiring two to three days of non-stop flight. Africa: Biodiversity Damage Mapped By Global Land-Use Study – Study concluded that, if human impacts continue to grow as they have been, future losses in biodiversity will be concentrated in biodiverse but economically poor countries. Blown-Up Brains Reveal Nanoscale Details – A study showed that material used in diaper absorbant can make brain tissue bigger and enable ordinary microscopes to resolve features down to 60 nanometers; this technique is called expansion microscopy. Repurposed Experimental Cancer Drug Restores Brain Function in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease – Scientists have found that saracatinib, a compound originally developed as a cancer therapy potentially could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Stemming Genetic Changes in Cultured Cells – Researchers have found that the fewest genetic changes arise in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that are grown on a substrate layer of “feeder cells”—non-dividing cells that provide nutrients and help ESCs attach to their culture dishes—and passaged mechanically, that is, broken into clumps before being moved into new vessels. Study: Saccharin Shows Promise as Cancer Inhibitor – The artificial sweetener saccharin shows considerable promise for its ability to inhibit an enzyme upregulated in many cancers, helping tumor cells survive and metastasize. Researchers May Have Solved Origin-of-Life Conundrum – Chemists report that a pair of simple compounds called acetylene and formaldehyde, which would have been abundant on early Earth, can give rise to a network of simple reactions that produce the three major classes of biomolecules—nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids—needed for the earliest form of life to get its start. Malaria Parasite Attracts Mosquitoes with Perfume – This article reveals that Plasmodium—the malaria parasite manufactures alluring odor molecules, called terpenes using a chloroplast-like organelle that attract mosquitoes. Why Is the Scientific World Abuzz about an Unpublished Paper? Because It Could Permanently Change Human DNA – Scientists around the world are anticipating the results of a Chinese study that would mark the first time DNA in a human embryo has been modified in a way that would carry into future generations. Meat Grown in a Laboratory Soon to Become Commercially Viable, Says Scientist – Meat grown in a laboratory will become commercially viable in the next decade according to the scientist who grew the world’s first stem cell burger. New RIKEN Chief Pledges to Restore Public Faith in Japanese Lab System – Hiroshi Matsumoto, the new president of RIKEN – Japan’s network of labs, pledged to follow through on his predecessor’s plans for addressing shortcomings that created an environment for research misconduct. Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs Draws Support, Detractors – This article describes the stem cell treatment for dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis. Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Trends: Complementation and Diversification of the Field – Research in human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells are increasingly being used in more independent research and application areas with the former still being used as a “gold standard,” but in a declining proportion of publications. Plucking Hairs in Dense Pattern Can Prompt Hair Regrowth – A new research reveals that plucking (that requires technique) will initiate “signals” to follicles to grow hair. Stem Cells Lurking in Tumors Can Resist Treatment – A mouse study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, shows that slow-growing tumors also have treatment-resistant stem cells prompting worries among medical experts. Early Reprogramming Regulators Identified by Prospective Isolation and Mass Cytometry – Single-cell mass cytometry and prospective isolation show that distinct intermediates are transient and bridge the gap between donor cell silencing and pluripotency marker acquisition during the early, presumably stochastic, reprogramming phase. Emergence of a Stage-Dependent Human Liver Disease Signature with Directed Differentiation of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin-Deficient iPS Cells – Scientists develop a bioinformatic approach to detect differences between the genomic programs of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from diseased versus normal human cohorts as they emerge during in vitro directed differentiation. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Gage Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Mar 31, 2015 · 58 min

    Ep. 41: “Chromosomal Disorders” Featuring Dr. Eirini Papapetrou

    Guest: Dr. Eirini Papapetrou, an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai where she discusses her work and latest paper on using stem cells to model blood diseases containing a chromosomal deletion. Resources and Links Sushi Parasite Inspires Worm Test for Cancer – Japanese researchers have discovered that Caenorhabditis elegans worms can detect cancer in people’s urine. New Genetic Variant that Causes Autism Identified by Johns Hopkins-Led Team – A Johns Hopkins-led team of researchers has identified a new genetic cause of the disorder using a novel approach that focuses on rare families severely affected by autism. Bad Gene Cripples Flu Defenses – This article describes how a girl nearly died from flu because of mutated genes. High-Fat Diet Alters Behavior and Produces Signs of Brain Inflammation – There is a great possibility that a high-fat diet produces changes in health and behavior, in part, by changing the mix of bacteria in the gut, also known as the gut microbiome. NASA’s Opportunity Rover Just Completed an 11-Year Marathon on Mars – NASA confirmed this week that the six-wheeled robot has now traveled more than 26.219 miles in eleven years and two months. Apple’s New ResearchKit: ‘Ethics Quagmire’ or Medical Research Aid? – Apple’s ResearchKit is designed to let medical researchers create iPhone apps for their studies that will help them recruit participants — without said participants ever setting foot in the lab. Woolly Mammoth DNA Inserted into Elephant Cells – This article describes the attempt of scientists to bring extinct species back from the grave through a process known as de-extinction. Surprise Finding Heightens Concern over Tiny Bits of Plastic Polluting Our Oceans – A team of scientists’ accidental finding of plastic in the skin of both farmed and wild fish adds to already growing environmental and public health concerns about the plastic particles or microplastics pervading our oceans and waterways. Altering Brain Chemistry Makes Us More Sensitive to Inequality – Researchers find that giving a drug that changes the neurochemical balance in the prefrontal cortex of the brain causes a greater willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as ensuring that resources are divided more equally. Engineering the Perfect Baby – A group of scientists try to edit the DNA of human germ line to correct disease genes and to pass those genetic fixes on to future generations. Don’t Edit the Human Germ Line – Heritable human genetic modifications pose serious risks, and the therapeutic benefits are tenuous, warn Edward Lanphier, Fyodor Urnov and colleagues. Industry Body Calls for Gene Editing Moratorium – Gene-editing companies say research on altering the DNA of human reproductive cells is dangerous and unethical. A Prudent Path Forward for Genomic Engineering and Germline Gene Modification – Scientists suggests that a framework for open discourse on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to manipulate the human genome is urgently needed. Scientists Call for a Summit on Gene-Edited Babies – A group of senior American scientists and ethics experts are calling for a debate on the gene-engineering of humans, warning that technology able to change the DNA of future generations is now “imminent.” The ISSCR Statement on Human Germline Genome Modification – The International Society for Stem Cell Research calls for a moratorium on attempts at clinical application of nuclear genome editing of the human germ line. Double-Blind Peer Review – Nature Biotechnology, together with Nature and its sister journals, is now offering anonymity to authors during the peer-review process. Celebs’ Stem Cell Facial Treatments Include Sheep Placenta, Others Get Human Cells – Celebrities pay hundreds of dollars to have a sheep placenta facial or known as collagen treatment wherein the placenta mush or stem cell fluid is smeared all over the face, and the skin is pricked so the cells can penetrate below the epidermis. Astrazeneca Buys into Harvard’s Stem Cell Tech for Diabetes R&D – Harvard professor Doug Melton and his team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute will use its technology for engineering insulin-producing beta cells to better understand how both types of diabetes develop. Scientists Coax Stem Cells to Form 3D ‘Mini-Lungs’ – Three-dimensional “mini-lungs” coaxed from stem cells and grown in a dish may offer insight into lung disease and could lead to the development of new drugs. UCSF Team Finds Key to Making Neurons from Stem Cells – This article describes how the research team at UC San Francisco discovered an RNA molecule called Pnky that can be manipulated to increase the production of neurons from neural stem cells. Elucidating Molecular Phenotypes Caused by the SORL1 Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Risk Factor Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells to examine genetic variation in the SORL1 gene and possible contributions to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease-related phenotypes in human neurons. Modeling the Early Phenotype at the Neuromuscular Junction of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Using Patient-Derived iPSCs – Researchers describe the results done by researchers who generated neuromuscular junction (NMJ) or NMJ-like structures using motor neurons derived from spinal muscular atrophy patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Integrated Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing of the Same Cell – This article shows the integrated sequencing approach using a quasilinear amplification strategy to quantify genomic DNA and mRNA from the same cell without physically separating the nucleic acids before amplification. Functional Analysis of a Chromosomal Deletion Associated with Myelodysplastic Syndromes Using Isogenic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Scientists use cellular reprogramming and genome engineering to functionally dissect the loss of chromosome 7q (del(7q)), a somatic cytogenetic abnormality present in myelodysplastic syndromes. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Papapetrou Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Mar 17, 2015 · 1 hr 4 min

    Ep. 40: “Gene Editing Mistakes” Featuring Dr. Frederick Alt

    Guest: Our guest, world-renowned geneticist, Dr. Fred Alt from Harvard Medical School talks about his latest paper in Nature Biotechnology where he describes a novel method to detect off target effects of gene editing technology. Resources and Links False Memories Implanted into the Brains of Sleeping Mice – By directly manipulating the brains of sleeping mice, researchers tricked the animals into thinking they had received a reward at a specific place when they wake up. Autism Genes Linked to Higher Intelligence: Treading a Fine Line between Intellectual Disability and Superiority – A comprehensive study conducted shows that genetic variation, which increases risk for autism, is associated with better cognitive ability in non-autistic individuals. Left or Right? The Brain Knows Before You Move – Scientists at Janelia Research Campus have identified a neural circuit that connects motor planning to movement. Mutation May Cause Early Loss of Sperm Supply – Brown University biologists have determined how the loss of a gene in male mice results in the premature exhaustion of their fertility. Sobering Effect of the Love Hormone – Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the ‘love’ or ‘cuddle’ hormone, prevents alcohol from accessing specific sites in the brain that cause alcohol’s intoxicating effects, sites known as delta-subunit GABA-A receptors. Tapping into Beer’s Therapeutic Potential – This article describes the study conducted by Chinese researchers on xanthohumol, a compound found in hops that prevented the brain cells from dying and also increased cell production of several antioxidants that counteracted oxidative damage. Severe Depression Linked with Inflammation in the Brain – This article shows that there was a significant inflammation in the brains of the people with depression, and the inflammation was most severe among the participants with the most severe depression. Ghrelin Hormone Supplement Increases Sex Drive – New studies have found that a supplement of ghrelin – the “appetite hormone” – increased the sexual activity of mice. Diabetes in Rats Treated with Engineered Probiotic – Cornell researchers have engineered human lactobacilli, a common gut bacteria, to secrete a protein called Glucagon-like peptide 1 which may help people control diabetes. Do You Have the ‘Smart Gene’ that also Helps You Live Longer? – Researchers have discovered that a KL-VS variant of the Klotho gene associated with longevity has some added benefits: improved learning and a better memory. Largest-ever Autism Genome Study Finds Most Siblings Have Different Autism-risk Genes – This article reveals that the disorder’s genetic underpinnings are even more complex than previously thought: Most siblings who have autism spectrum disorder have different autism-linked genes. Wide House Passage of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ban in Oklahoma Despite Concerns – This article reports that the House overwhelmingly passed legislation Monday designed to prevent embryonic stem cell research in Oklahoma. Limited Self-Renewal of Stem Cells in the Brain – This article describes that the self-renewal rate of the stem cells is however limited, explaining why their number drops over the course of a lifetime. New Test Uses Human Stem Cells to Identify Drug Side Effects – Scientists have developed a test that uses cells from a single donor’s blood to predict whether a new drug will cause a severe reaction in humans. Lung Cancer Stem Cell Therapy to be Trialed in UK – This article reports that trial will involve 56 patients in UK with metastatic lung cancer who will undergo treatment using genetically modified bone marrow stem cells. Some Breast Cancers Are Like ‘Stem Cells Gone Bad’ – Testing breast cancer cells for how closely they resemble stem cells could identify the most aggressive cases of the disease. Stem Cells Reduce MS Brain Damage – This article describes in what could herald a major advance in treating multiple sclerosis, brain damage was significantly reduced in patients getting stem cell transplants, compared to a control group. In Vivo Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Depends on the Source and the Isolation Procedure – Findings indicate that the choice of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) source and purification protocol is critical in determining the therapeutic potential of these cells and warrant the standardization of an optimal MSC isolation procedure in order to select the best conditions to move forward to more effective clinical experimentation. Generation of Scaffoldless Hyaline Cartilaginous Tissue from Human iPSCs – Researchers developed a method for generating scaffoldless hyaline cartilage from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Enhanced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function Mediates Immune Regeneration following Sex Steroid Blockade – This article shows that sex steroid ablation induces hematopoietic and lymphoid recovery by functionally enhancing both hematopoietic stem cells self-renewal and propensity for lymphoid differentiation through intrinsic molecular changes. Scientists Discover Why Some Heart Tissue Turns into Bone – Researchers have used human cells to discover how blood flow in the heart protects against the hardening of valves in cardiovascular disease and identified a potential way to correct this process when it goes wrong by flipping the switch on just a handful of genes. Stem Cells Lurking in Tumors Can Resist Treatment – Malignant tumors contain stem cells, prompting worries among medical experts that the cells’ transformative powers help cancers escape treatment. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Alt Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Mar 3, 2015 · 1 hr 9 min

    Ep. 39: “Stressed Out Cells” Featuring Dr. Rhonda Newman

    Guest: Dr. Rhonda Newman to talk about her work in trying to figure out a better way to “de-stress” stem cells. Resources and Links Previously Unknown Effect of Vitamin A Identified – A previously unknown effect of vitamin A in human embryonic development has been identified by researchers, indicating that vitamin A affects the formation of blood cells. Feeding Babies Foods with Peanuts Appears to Prevent Allergies – Researchers found that babies who consumed the equivalent of about 4 heaping teaspoons of peanut butter each week, starting when they were between 4 and 11 months old, were about 80 percent less likely to develop a peanut allergy by age 5. Mothers Can Pass Traits to Offspring through Bacteria’s DNA – Mothers can pass a trait to their offspring through the DNA of bacteria suggesting that microbes may play a significant role in how genes influence illness and health in higher organisms. Kids, Allergies and a Possible Downside to Squeaky Clean Dishes – This article reports that in families who said they mostly wash dishes by hand, significantly fewer children had eczema, and somewhat fewer had either asthma or hay fever, compared to kids from families who let machines wash their dishes. Scientists Unveil Map of ‘Epigenome,’ a Second Genetic Code – Scientists for the first time have mapped out the molecular “switches” that can turn on or silence individual genes in the DNA in more than 100 types of human cells, an accomplishment that reveals the complexity of genetic information and the challenges of interpreting it. Ingredient in Olive Oil Looks Promising in the Fight Against Cancer – A Rutgers nutritional scientist and two cancer biologists at New York City’s Hunter College have found that an ingredient in extra-virgin olive oil called oleocanthal kills a variety of human cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Popular Soda Ingredient Poses Cancer Risk to Consumers – Research analysis suggests that soda drinkers consume one or more cans per day—possibly exposing them to 4-methylimidazole, a potential carcinogen formed during the manufacture of some kinds of caramel color. Amyloid Formation May Link Alzheimer Disease and Type 2 Diabetes – This article tries to investigate the processes underlying amyloidosis that link type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer disease. Stopping HIV with an Artificial Protein – A research team has shown that a lab-made molecule eCD4-Ig that mimics an antibody from our immune system may have more protective power than anything the body produces, keeping four monkeys free of HIV infection despite injection of large doses of the virus. Mulling the Marijuana Munchies: How the Brain Flips the Hunger Switch – This article shows that the “munchies,” or that uncontrollable urge to eat after using marijuana, appear to be driven by neurons in the brain that are normally involved in suppressing appetite, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers. Oocytes and Obesity – Eggs from excessively overweight mothers suffer mitochondrial damage that can be averted with pharmacological intervention. Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Could Cut Biofuel Costs – This article reports that ethanol-producing Zymomonas mobilis can live on nitrogen gas, potentially cutting costs and environmental waste in biofuel production. Long-Lived Immunotherapy Stem Cells – The genetically modified T memory stem cells persist in patients for more than ten years, and can differentiate into a variety of T cell types. Clarkson University, SUNY Plattsburgh Researchers Use Saliva Test to Diagnose Autism – A spit test may one day be able to diagnose autism as reported by the researchers at Clarkson University and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Alligator Blood May Provide Basis of Wartime Anti-Infectives – A study conducted by a group of researchers in the School of Systems Biology and the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases on alligators, suspecting that antimicrobial peptides – small proteins that are part of the innate immunity of all higher organisms – may be behind alligators’ enhanced immunity. Plant Extract Fights Brain Tumor – Silibinin from milk thistle seeds can be applied to treat Cushing Disease, a rare hormone condition caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland in the brain. Cigarette Smoking And Thinning Of The Brain’s Cortex – Researchers suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with diffuse accelerated cortical thinning, a biomarker of cognitive decline in adults. Common Pesticide May Increase Risk of ADHD – A commonly used pesticide pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin may alter the development of the brain’s dopamine system which is responsible for emotional expression and cognitive function, thus increasing the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, according to a new Rutgers study. Doctors Puzzled Over 100 Cases of Paralysis in U.S. Children – Researchers reveal that even though the exact cause of paralysis in over 100 young adults and children is not known, it may be linked to the enterovirus D68. Hydrogen Sulfide Could Help Lower Blood Pressure – Research has indicated that a new compound, called AP39, which generates minute quantities of the gas hydrogen sulfide inside cells, could be beneficial in cases of high blood pressure and diseases of the blood vessels that occur with ageing and diabetes. Stem Cell Pioneer Joins Forces with Stem Cell Fraudster – Woo Suk Hwang, who was convicted for fraudulently claimed to have created embryonic stem cells matched to human patients, now tells South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo newspaper that he, Mitalipov, and Xiaochun Xu, CEO of Boyalife Group of Wuxi, China, have agreed to jointly work on the mechanisms of cloning. Supreme Court Rejects Stem Cell Patent Case – The Supreme Court decision ruled in favor of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, or WARF, which will get to keep its patent rights to license use of human embryonic stem cells. Assessing State Stem Cell Programs in the United States: How Has State Funding Affected Publication Trends? – This article examines how state programs have affected publication trends in four states especially with the federal funding limitations placed on human embryonic stem cell research and the potential of the field. Scientists Use Graphene to Target, Neutralize Cancer Stem Cells – University of Manchester scientists have used graphene to target and neutralize cancer stem cells while not harming other cells, opening up the possibility of preventing or treating a broad range of cancers, using a non-toxic material. Researchers Engineer Wisdom Teeth Stem Cells to Treat Corneal Scarring – Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that stem cells from the dental pulp of wisdom teeth can be manipulated to form cells of the eye’s cornea — a finding that may provide an easier procedure to repair corneal scarring. San Diego’s Frozen Zoo Introduces Stem Cell Research for Animals – This article describes the largest gene bank of its kind, known as “The Frozen Zoo,” where researchers and zoo personnel run out to collect the sperm or eggs from dead animal and freeze the cells in liquid nitrogen, a process that could help a species live on. Long-Term Safety Issues of iPSC-Based Cell Therapy in a Spinal Cord Injury Model: Oncogenic Transformation with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition – According to this article, grafted iPSC (253G1)-derived neurospheres formed tumors after long-term observation and the transcriptome analysis revealed that a heightened mesenchymal transition may have contributed to the progression of tumors derived from grafted cells. Small Molecules Enhance CRISPR Genome Editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers have identified small molecules that can enhance CRISPR-mediated HDR efficiency, 3-fold for large fragment insertions and 9-fold for point mutations. Generation of a Ciliary Margin-Like Stem Cell Niche from Self-Organizing Human Retinal Tissue – This article describes the step-wise induction-reversal method conducted by researchers, demonstrating that the neural retina (NR) – retinal pigment epithelium boundary tissue further self-organizes a niche for ciliary margin stem cells that functions to expand the NR peripherally by de novo progenitor generation. Transcription Factor Binding Dynamics during Human ES Cell Differentiation – Researchers report the integrative analysis of genome-wide binding data for 38 transcription factors with extensive epigenome and transcriptional data across the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to the three germ layers. Dissecting Neural Differentiation Regulatory Networks through Epigenetic Footprinting – This article is about the transcriptional and epigenomic analysis of six consecutive neural progenitor cell stages derived from a HES5::eGFP reporter human embryonic stem cell line and a computational framework to dissect regulatory mechanisms that orchestrate the stage-specific differentiation process. Intracellular Α-Ketoglutarate Maintains the Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells – Scientists reveal that intracellular α-ketoglutarate/succinate levels can contribute to the maintenance of cellular identity and have a mechanistic role in the transcriptional and epigenetic state of stem cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Newman Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Feb 17, 2015 · 1 hr 4 min

    Ep. 38: Cell Transplant Therapy Featuring Dr. Lorenz Studer

    Guest: Dr. Lorenz Studer is the founding director of the Sloan-Kettering Center for Stem Cell Biology a Member in the Developmental Biology Program and the Department of Neurosurgery and Professor in Neuroscience at Weill-Cornell Graduate School. Resources and Links Novel “Smart” Insulin Automatically Adjusts Blood Sugar in Diabetic Mouse Model – Scientists have created Ins-PBA-F, a long-lasting “smart” insulin that self-activates when blood sugar soars, eliminating the need for additional boosts of insulin, and reducing the dangers that come with inaccurate dosing. Scientists Find Mysterious Magnetism in Earth’s Inner Core – A team of U.S. and Chinese geophysicists suggests that the innermost core is rotated on its side compared to its outer layer and the team also provides new clues about how the inner core formed and began to solidify. Test for HIV in Just 15 Minutes with This $34 Smartphone Dongle – A dongle created by Columbia University researchers can turn any smartphone (whether iPhones or Android devices) into an HIV and syphilis tester. Research Team Identifies Link Between Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes – This article describes how a Yale-led research team has identified the molecular mechanism by which insulin normally inhibits production of glucose by the liver and why this process stops working in patients with type 2 diabetes, leading to hyperglycemia. Mutations Linked to Repair of Chromosome Ends May Make Emphysema More Likely in Smokers – This press release reveals that mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene that helps repair damaged chromosome ends may make smokers, especially female smokers more susceptible to emphysema. Researchers Produce First Map of New York City Subway System Microbes – This article identifies the microbes present in the New York City subway system through a pathogen map or PathoMap and could be used for long-term, accurate disease surveillance, bioterrorism threat mitigation, and large scale health management for New York. Researchers Discover Insulin-Decreasing Hormone In Flies, Humans – A hormone called limostatin that decreases insulin production during starvation has been identified in fruit flies and humans. A Neural Biomarker of Psychological Vulnerability to Future Life Stress – This article highlights a readily assayed biomarker, threat-related amygdala reactivity, which predicts psychological vulnerability to commonly experienced stressors and represents a discrete target for intervention and prevention. New Tattoos Found on Öetzi the Iceman – New scans have revealed a total of 61 tattoos on the 5,300-year-old mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman, reigniting the debate on whether the inkings were a form of acupuncture that predates the first recorded use of the practice in China by 2,000 years. Real-Time Deformability Cytometry: On-The-Fly Cell Mechanical Phenotyping – Researchers introduce real-time deformability cytometry for continuous cell mechanical characterization of large populations with analysis rates greater than 100 cells/s. Scientists Discover ‘Reset’ Button For Brain’s Biological Clock – Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a “reset” button for the circadian or biological clock, which could pave the way for more effective treatments for seasonal affective disorder, jet lag and some of the negative health effects of shift work. Green Tea Ingredient May Target Protein To Kill Oral Cancer Cells – Penn State food scientists have found that the compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate found in green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. U.K. Parliament Approves Controversial Three-Parent Mitochondrial Gene Therapy – This article announces that the United Kingdom’s House of Commons voted overwhelmingly today to allow British researchers to pursue a new fertility treatment using a technique called mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy that could prevent certain kinds of genetic diseases. Cell Therapy Raises Record-Breaking Crowdfunding For Stem Cell Drug – The UK biotech company Cell Therapy has raised over £691,000 ($1 million) through crowdfunding on Crowdcube. Robert Rey, ‘Dr. 90210,’ Turns to Breast Augmentation with Stem Cells for Hollywood Stars – Dr. Robert Rey, better known as Dr. 90210, told TMZ yesterday about the new rage in breast augmentation, and it can make people thinner, too. Did Stem Cells Save Gordie Howe? – This article talks about how Gordie Howie – a.k.a. Mr. Hockey, after having stroke received treatments with neural stem cells injected into the spinal canal and mesenchymal stem cells by intravenous infusion that has reportedly improved his health. Stem Cells Cure Hope for Diabetes – A group of researchers talk about the possibilities of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes involving trials using stem cells take from the bone marrow and using them to stimulate insulin production. Can Stem Cells Be Taught to Repair a Radiation-Damaged Brain? – Researchers turned stem cells into young central nervous system cells that can mature into oligodendrocytes, which support nerve cells, repairing some of the radiation injury brought about during cancer treatments. Cellular Dynamics Manufactures cGMP HLA “Superdonor” Stem Cell Lines to Enable Cell Therapy With Genetic Matching – Cellular Dynamics has manufactured two human leukocyte antigens “superdonors” which will provide a beneficial genetic match to large number of patients. Acellular Lung Scaffolds Direct Differentiation of Endoderm to Functional Airway Epithelial Cells: Requirement of Matrix-Bound HS Proteoglycans – The authors examine the role of the lung extracellular matrix in differentiation of pluripotent cells in vitro and demonstrates the robust inductive capacity of the native lung matrix alone. P63+Krt5+ Distal Airway Stem Cells Are Essential for Lung Regeneration – This article demonstrates lung regeneration in mice following H1N1 influenza virus infection, and linked distal airway stem cells expressing Trp63 (p63) and keratin 5, called DASCp63/Krt5, to the process of pulmonary function recovery. Optogenetics Enables Functional Analysis of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Grafts in a Parkinson’s Disease Model – Scientists describe the use of optogenetics to modulate in real time electrophysiological and neurochemical properties of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Studer Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

  • Feb 3, 2015 · 1 hr 11 min

    Ep. 37: Repairing The Heart Featuring Dr. Christine Mummery

    Guest: Dr. Christine Mummery joins us to discuss how stem cells are being used for heart disease. Resources and Links CDC Reports Current Flu Vaccine Effectiveness at 23 Percent This Season – A report published estimates that getting a flu vaccine this season reduced a person’s risk of having to go to the doctor because of flu by 23 percent among people of all ages. India’s Tiger Population Sees 30 Percent Increase – According to this article, India says it now has almost a third more tigers than it did four years ago and it was willing to donate tiger cubs to the international community to help conservation efforts. Scientists Give Genetically Modified Organisms a Safety Switch – Researchers at Harvard and Yale have used some extreme gene-manipulation tools to engineer safety features into designer organisms, specifically reprogrammed the common bacterium E. coli so it requires a synthetic amino acid to live. WSU Researchers See Effect of BPA, Estradiol on Sperm Development – This article describes how bisphenol A and estradiol contributes to disrupted sperm production resulting in decreased sperm counts. Too Much Salt Intake Changes Key Brain Circuits – This article shows that excessive salt intake “reprograms” the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body’s arterial blood pressure from rising. Trust Your Gut: E. Coli May Hold One of the Keys to Treating Parkinson’s – Researchers recently discovered a protein in E. coli that inhibits the accumulation of potentially toxic amyloids—a hallmark of diseases such as Parkinson’s. Hidden Formaldehyde in E-Cigarette Aerosols – This article shows that the carcinogen formaldehyde, a known degradation product of propylene glycol that reacts with propylene glycol and glycerol during vaporization to produce hemiacetals, can be formed during the e-cigarette “vaping” process. Laser-Generated Surface Structures Create Extremely Water-Repellent Metals – This article describes how scientists at the University of Rochester have used lasers to transform metals into extremely water repellent, or super-hydrophobic, materials without the need for temporary coatings. Birth Control Pill Risks May Now Include Brain Cancer – Scientists have found that women taking hormonal contraceptives — those containing estrogen, progestin or a combination of both — showed higher rates of a rare brain tumor known as glioma. 2015 U.S. Measles Outbreak Already at 84 Cases, More than in a Typical Year – According to this article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 84 people in 14 states were diagnosed with measles. Researchers Discover “Idiosyncratic” Brain Patterns in Autism – Scientists at the Weizmann Institute and Carnegie Mellon University found that the brains of individuals with autism display unique synchronization patterns, something that could impact earlier diagnosis of the disorder and future treatments. Beyond Prevention: Sulforaphane May Find Possible Use for Cancer Therapy – New research has identified one of the key cancer-fighting mechanisms for sulforaphane, and suggests that this much-studied phytochemical may be able to move beyond cancer prevention and toward therapeutic use for advanced prostate cancer. Monkeys Seem to Recognize Their Reflections – Trained macaques studied themselves in mirrors, fuelling debate over animals’ capacity for self-recognition. Obokata May Face Criminal Charges as Former Colleague Alleges She Stole Stem Cells – This article reports that a criminal investigation now seems likely after a former Riken researcher filed a criminal complaint against disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata, alleging she stole samples of embryonic stem cells before reporting that she had created her version of stem cells with a novel technique. A One-Grant Limit: Nih Institute Puts Squeeze on Flush Investigators – The National Institutes of Health’s basic science institute is imposing a strict one-grant limit on scientists who already have plentiful no-strings support. Using Stem Cells to Grow New Hair – In a new study from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, researchers have used human pluripotent stem cells to generate new hair. UM Study Explores How Stem Cells Can Help Burn Victims – This article is about a pair of doctors at the University of Miami who are trying to develop new therapies using donor’s mesenchymal stem cells to restore tissue and reduce long-term scarring from burns. Parkinson’s Stem Cell Trial Approaches – International Stem Cell Corp. plans to implant neural stem cells into the brains of Parkinson’s patients, restoring dopamine production and normal movement in the patients. BPA Exposure May Change Stem Cells, Lower Sperm Production – Chemicals that mimic estrogen hamper development of the stem cells responsible for making sperm in mice. Promising Use Of Nanodiamonds To Kill Chemoresistant Cancer Stem Cells More Effectively – A study led by the National University of Singapore found that attaching chemotherapy drug Epirubicin to nanodiamonds effectively eliminates chemoresistant cancer stem cells. Defined Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Xeno-Free Derivation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells on a Novel, Synthetic Substrate – The authors investigate the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells and their differentiation into retinal pigmented epithelium using Synthemax II-SC, which is a novel, synthetic animal-derived component-free, RGD peptide-containing copolymer compliant with good manufacturing practices designed for xeno-free stem cell culture. Imaging Captures How Blood Stem Cells Take Root – Researchers in Boston Children’s Hospital’s Stem Cell Research Program describe a surprisingly dynamic system that offers several clues for improving bone-marrow transplants in patients with cancer, severe immune deficiencies, and blood disorders, and for helping those transplants “take.” Epigenetic Predisposition to Reprogramming Fates in Somatic Cells – Reprogramming potential may in part reflect preexisting epigenetic heterogeneity that can be tuned to alter the cellular response to factor induction. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Christine Mummery Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe