A joint research team from the United Stated and Britain, led by Dr. Randall Urban of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, has successfully engineered stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood that could produce insulin. The team was able to successfully foster a large amount of adult stem cells from cord blood before directing cell growth to resemble insulin-producing pancreas cells. The results not only play an important role in the study of diabetes treatment, but also in furthering adult stem cell research, which has been fuelled by recent controversy over the use of embryonic stem cells.
Reuters.ukMay 20, 2007
Childhood Cancer Stem Cell Identified
A team of researchers from the Children's Hospital in Boston have identified the stem cell responsible for rhabdomyosarcoma, a common soft-tissue sarcoma occurring in children. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) develops from primitive skeletal muscle cells known as rhabdomyoblasts, and is considered an aggressive cancer. The most common subtype of this form of cancer is called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and most frequently affects the head, neck, and genitourinary tract in children under the age of fifteen. The researchers have successfully identified this stem cell in zebra fish, a significant discovery considering the stem cells play a prominent role in the growth and progression of this type of cancer in humans. The results could lead to long-term stem cell therapies that could prevent recurrence and progression of rhabdomyosarcoma in patients.
MedIndia.comMay 8, 2007
Blood Vessel Regrowth by Stem Cells
Researchers from Advanced Cell Technology in California along with scientists from the University of Florida and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, claim to have successfully found a method to regenerate blood vessel growth in mice. Using a type of cell with high regenerative capabilities known as hemangioblast, the team demonstrated a way to regenerate injured blood vessels in the hind legs and retinas of mice, usually caused by injury or diabetes. Previous research has demonstrated that adult stem cells could regenerate small (capillary) blood vessels near the surface of the skin. However, hemangioblasts - which were derived from the embryonic stem cells - have the capability of regenerating much larger vessels. The results could have significant effects on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and diabetes in humans. The study appears in the journal Natural Methods.
ContraCostaTimes.comMay 7, 2007
Maternal Stem Cells for Women's Healthcare
One of the world's leading cord blood banks, Cryo-Cell International Inc., has isolated a stem cell known as the maternal placental stem cell (MPSC) from placental tissue which, similarly to cord blood, is usually discarded after birth and is considered medical waste. The new cell is genetically matched to the mother and could serve as an alternative to embryonic stem cells as well as a regenerative therapy for the donor (mother) in the future. Previous studies have differentiated MPSCs into other types of cells including neural, bone, and fat cells. The findings could lead to an entirely new stem cell service offering the collection and preservation of MPSCs.
