Researchers had used brain organoids to study how Zika virus affects brain development in the embryo and causes small-sized brain called microcephaly. This study would have been nearly impossible using human brain at the embryo stage for obvious ethical reasons. On October 21, at the Society for Neuroscience’s 49th meeting Neuroscience 2019 held in Chicago, … Continue reading Explained: How lab-grown organoids can transform medicine
Stem cells
HIV cleared out after stem cell transplantation
For the second time, researchers have been able to clear HIV virus from the body (remission) by transplanting stem cells containing two mutant copies of a co-receptor CCR5 for HIV infection. The person with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma and HIV infection has been experiencing HIV remission for the last 18 months after antiretroviral therapy (ART) was … Continue reading HIV cleared out after stem cell transplantation
Delhi researchers develop an algorithm to detect rare cells
Researchers from IIT Delhi and IIIT Delhi have developed an algorithm that can find rare cells from a very large pool of cells in a matter of seconds. The new algorithm has superior sensitivity and specificity compared with existing methods. They used the gene expression of each cell to find the rare cells. The team … Continue reading Delhi researchers develop an algorithm to detect rare cells
Podcast: Making bone marrow transplantation more successful
Vaijayanti Kale from NCCS explains how micro-vesicles containing certain factors increase homing and engraftment potential of hematopoietic stem cells. These micro-vesicles also help in expanding hematopoietic stem cells before transplantation. The micro-vesicles are secreted by mesenchymal stem cells when treated with a nitric oxide donor.
NCCS’ new approach makes bone marrow transplantation more successful
NCCS researchers have found a way to expand hematopoietic stem cells before transplantation and also improve the engraftment potential. Mesenchymal stem cells treated with a nitric oxide donor secreted micro-vesicles containing certain factors that increase the engraftment potential of hematopoietic stem cells. One of the reasons why the efficiency of bone marrow transplantation gets compromised is due to … Continue reading NCCS’ new approach makes bone marrow transplantation more successful
Podcast: Prolonging the stemness of mesenchymal stem cells
In a breakthrough, IIT Bombay researchers could ensure that human mesenchymal stem cells could multiply and retain their stemness (stem cell-like nature) for up to 51 days (20 generations) and differentiate into bone, cartilage or fat cells. The trick was to use soft hydrogel plates in place of the usually used plastic plates to culture … Continue reading Podcast: Prolonging the stemness of mesenchymal stem cells
IIT Bombay team achieves breakthrough in stem cell proliferation
In a breakthrough, IIT Bombay researchers could ensure that human mesenchymal stem cells could multiply and retain their stemness (stem cell-like nature) for up to 51 days (20 generations) and differentiate into bone, cartilage or fat cells. The trick was to use soft hydrogel plates in place of the usually used plastic plates to culture … Continue reading IIT Bombay team achieves breakthrough in stem cell proliferation
NCCS finds dual mechanism that helps embryonic stem cells maintain pluripotency
NCCS researchers have found two mechanisms that turn off the expression of endocytosis-associated genes, thus helping the stem cells to maintain their pluripotency. The dual mechanism functions in such a way that even if one mechanism fails, the other can function as a back-up. Understanding of the mechanism will be helpful in regenerative medicine using iPS cells. … Continue reading NCCS finds dual mechanism that helps embryonic stem cells maintain pluripotency
NCCS’ novel approach improves success rate of bone marrow transplantation
Researchers from Pune’s National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) have found that co-culturing aged haematopoietic stem cells with young mesenchymal stromal cells will rejuvenate the stem cells and improve their functionality. When done prior to transplantation, the rejuvenation will help improve the engrafting efficiency of stem cells. This novel method will expand the pool of donors for bone … Continue reading NCCS’ novel approach improves success rate of bone marrow transplantation
Hyderabad researchers grow miniature eyes using stem cells
Researchers at the Hyderabad-based L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) have successfully grown miniature eye-like organs that closely resemble the developing eyes of an early-stage embryo. The miniature eyes were produced using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The iPS cells are produced by genetically manipulating human skin cells to produce embryonic-like stem cells that are capable … Continue reading Hyderabad researchers grow miniature eyes using stem cells
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