Scientist grows bone from human embryonic stem cells.
[NYSCF] Dr. Darja Marolt, an Investigator at The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Laboratory, is lead author on a study showing that human embryonic stem cells can be used to grow bone tissue grafts for use in research and potential therapeutic application. Dr. Marolt conducted this research as a post-doctoral NYSCF – Druckenmiller Fellow at Columbia University in the laboratory of Dr. Gordana Vunjak- Novakovic. Read more...
New study shows benefit of new maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma.
[UNC Healthcare] Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow grow out of control, causing damage to bones as well as predisposing patients to anemia, infection and kidney failure. A medical procedure called autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, commonly known as a stem cell transplant, is frequently an important treatment option for many patients. Unfortunately, multiple myeloma continues to progress even after a transplant. A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine offers promising news about a new long-term therapy, lenalidomide, that can be used after transplantation to slow down the progression of the disease. Read more...
Stem cells to optimize match between patient and medication.
[Financial Post] One of the biggest barriers to the development of new medical therapies is the cost of taking a new drug from a concept in a lab to a proven treatment. Estimates of these costs range from $100-million to $1.2-billion for each new drug that makes it to market, and a substantial chunk of this funding is consumed by establishing that a drug is both safe and effective. A new initiative combining breakthroughs in research, private sector support, and a non-profit committed to regenerative medicine is dedicated to improving this process. Read more...
Successful stem cell differntiation requires DNA compaction.
[R&D] New research findings show that embryonic stem cells unable to fully compact the DNA inside them cannot complete their primary task: differentiation into specific cell types that give rise to the various types of tissues and structures in the body. Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University found that chromatin compaction is required for proper embryonic stem cell differentiation to occur. Chromatin, which is composed of histone proteins and DNA, packages DNA into a smaller volume so that it fits inside a cell. Read more...
