Recent Advances in Stem Cell Research
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Neurons made from human embryonic stem cells can both send and receive nerve impulses when transplanted into the mouse brain, scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison have announced. The discovery provides some of the strongest evidence that human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons, which could be used to treat a variety of neurological disorders such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and stroke, can fully integrate and behave like regular neurons when transplanted into the brain. (The Scientist, Nov. 21, 2011)
Using both embryonic and adult stem cells, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain that act like bodyguards for neuron brain cells and play an important role in diseases of the central nervous system.Being able to study them could help researchers understand their role in normal brain functioning, and help find new treatments for diseases such as ALS, in which the neurons are overworked.
Source : http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/31417/title/Success-with-Stem-Cell-Neurons-/
Using both embryonic and adult stem cells, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain that act like bodyguards for neuron brain cells and play an important role in diseases of the central nervous system.Being able to study them could help researchers understand their role in normal brain functioning, and help find new treatments for diseases such as ALS, in which the neurons are overworked.
Source : http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/31417/title/Success-with-Stem-Cell-Neurons-/
Alzheimer’s disease
Using embryonic stem cells, scientists at Northwestern University outside Chicago have made batches of human brain cells (neurons), which are likely to prove valuable in finding drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The advance may even pave the way for neuron transplants to treat memory loss associated with the incurable neurodegenerative disorder. The researchers made the brain cells by adding chemical growth factors to human embryonic stem cells, a technique that allows scientists to grow an almost limitless supply of the brain cells. (The Guardian, March 4, 2011)
Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/mar/04/brain-cells-alzheimers-drugs?cat=science&type=article
Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/mar/04/brain-cells-alzheimers-drugs?cat=science&type=article
Blindness
This microscope photo shows human induced pluripotent stem cells beginning to form into a structure like a retina. This vesicle, or early retinal structure, formed in the laboratory into much the same shape that occurs in early eye development. The red cells are retina and the green cells are rapidly dividing cells.
Using human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madisongenerated retina-like tissues that could one day be used to develop and test therapies for blinding eye diseases. The scientists isolated these early retinal structures from other cell groups and grew them in batches in the laboratory, where they produced major retinal cell types, including photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Importantly, cells from these structures matured and responded appropriately to signals involved in normal retinal function, making them potentially valuable not only for studying how the human retina develops, but also how to keep it working in the face of disease. (University of Wisconsin-Madison, June 15, 2011)
Source : http://www.med.wisc.edu/news-events/stem-cells-from-patients-make-early-retina-in-a-dish/31651
Source : http://www.med.wisc.edu/news-events/stem-cells-from-patients-make-early-retina-in-a-dish/31651
Blood supply
Scientists have created synthetic blood using human embryonic stem cells, which could aid soldiers on the battlefield and victims of large-scale disasters when blood bank supplies are low. The scientists, who are working with the Wellcome Trust in Great Britain, say their ultimate goal is to create the rare O-negative blood type. It can be given to any patient without fear of rejection. (Daily Telegraph, Aug. 16, 2010)
Researchers used more than a 100 spare embryos left over from treatment at fertility clinics to establish several embryonic stem cell “lines”.
One of those lines, known as RC-7, was transformed into blood stem cells before they were converted into red cells containing haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment. Scientists say the aim of the £3million research was to find cells genetically programmed to develop into the O-negative blood group. This is the universal donor group whose blood can be transfused into anyone without fear of tissue rejection, but is only found in seven per cent of the population.
Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7947628/Synthetic-blood-breakthrough-after-scientists-produce-red-cells-from-IVF-embryos.html
Researchers used more than a 100 spare embryos left over from treatment at fertility clinics to establish several embryonic stem cell “lines”.
One of those lines, known as RC-7, was transformed into blood stem cells before they were converted into red cells containing haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment. Scientists say the aim of the £3million research was to find cells genetically programmed to develop into the O-negative blood group. This is the universal donor group whose blood can be transfused into anyone without fear of tissue rejection, but is only found in seven per cent of the population.
Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7947628/Synthetic-blood-breakthrough-after-scientists-produce-red-cells-from-IVF-embryos.html