Cool stem cell video

That's really great idea - to make 1 minute video story about stem cells. I like it a lot:

Apps for stem cell culturing

Dear readers, do you know any relevant stem cell related applications for smartphones?
Or maybe applications for assisting in cell culturing process?

And what do you think about the utility of such applications?

Thank you!

UC: MSC+HSC

My cartoon about MSC and HSC from Umbilical Cord

STEM CELLS & FUN

Leprosy & stem cells

Leprosy is a bacterial disease that spreads to muscles and other tissues in the body, causing neurodegeneration and muscle weakness. A new study, published by Cell Press January 17th in the journal Cell, reveals that the bacteria responsible for leprosy spread infection by hijacking specialized cells in the adult nervous system, reprogramming them into a stem cell-like state, and converting them to muscle-like cells. These findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for combating bacterial infections and degenerative diseases as well as new tools for regenerative medicine.
"This is the first demonstration of how a bacterial pathogen could use the genomic plasticity of our adult body tissue cells for generating stem cells naturally during infection," says senior study author Anura Rambukkana of the University of Edinburgh. "Our findings provide new directions for preventing the progression of infection at an early stage and for reprogramming adult tissue cells to stem cells for regenerating damaged tissues in the body."
Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), which initially infects adult Schwann cells, cells which usually wrap around nerves to insulate electrical signals passing through, in the peripheral nervous system. The leprosy bacteria must then spread to other tissues to transmit infection, but how they do so has been a long-standing mystery. Because Schwann cells can convert into dedicated repair cells to help adult nerves recover after injury, Rambukkana and his team suspected that M. leprae takes advantage of this remarkable plasticity to spread infection.
To test this idea, the researchers infected adult Schwann cells from mice with M. leprae. The bacteria reprogrammed these cells into a stem cell-like state—in which they're capable of converting into diverse cell types—by turning off genes that are active in the mature form of these cells and turning on genes that are expressed during embryonic development. M. leprae then converted these immature cells into muscle-like cells and spread infection to muscles through this process. When the researchers injected bacteria-laden immature cells into the muscles of adult mice, the bacteria spread to different types of muscle cells.
"Our study shows that host cell reprogramming is perhaps a necessary event in early bacterial infection that promotes the spread of infection," Rambukkana says. "By identifying early molecular targets or diagnostic biomarkers related to the reprogramming process, it will be possible to prevent the progression of infection and thus nerve damage and subsequent disability in patients."

Cell, Masaki et al.: "Reprogramming Adult Schwann Cells to Stem Cell-Like Cells by Leprosy Bacilli Promotes Dissemination of Infection."

Interesting news! Thanks to  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/cp-nii011013.php 

positive interim safety results of its Phase IIa study of its allogeneic stem cell therapy

Cell Therapy pioneer TiGenix has announced positive interim safety results of its Phase IIa study of its allogeneic stem cell therapy Cx611 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), showing a good safety profile at all three doses of the product that were administered in the trial.
This is a significant development in the field of stem cell therapy because Cx611 is an allogeneic product that potentially could be made available off-the-shelf and used to treat any patient, without concerns that the foreign cells will cause an immune reaction. In addition, TiGenix says the product, which is made from adult stem cells derived from human adipose (fat) tissue, has a broad anti-inflammatory effect and could also be used to treat other autoimmune disorders.
If positive, the final results of the trial, due in April 2013, will set the scene for the further development of Cx611. The TiGenix trial is the most advanced in the world using stem cells to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Along with other cell therapies that are advancing in development such as ReNeuron plc’s neuronal cell therapy for treating the after-effects of stroke, and the human embryonic stem cell-based treatment for macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness) which Pfizer is developing in collaboration with scientists at University College London, the TiGenix news on Cx611 underlines Europe’s leading position in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
These three products can all trace their origins back to publicly-funded basic research, providing a potent demonstration of the importance of continuing to support academic research in the field, and of building and reinforcing the clinical and regulatory framework for translating this research into commercial products.
Moves by some MEPs to end European Union funding for embryonic stem cell research in the proposed €80 billion Horizon 2020 R&D programme are widely seen as a threat to Europe’s standing in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Science|Business brought together experts from patients’ groups, research charities, academe, industry, science and economic policy, and regulators, to discuss the implications of an end to EU support for embryonic stem cell research, and scope what needs to be done to build the regenerative medicines market in Europe, to the benefit of patients and the economy. The full report is now available here.

http://www.sciencebusiness.net/news/75982/European-cell-therapy-pioneer-makes-further-advance?utm_source 

Another one stem cell fraud

Wired news... Stem cell research becomes a strange place... Here's some recent events:

Shane Mayack, a former post-doc in Harvard lab of Amy Wagers, a rising star in the stem cell field, has been sanctioned by the Office of Research Integrity for misconduct.
Mayack, who has defended her actions on this blog as honest error — albeit sloppiness — and has not admitted to wrongdoing, must undergo supervision if she receives any federal grant funding over the next three years, under the voluntary agreement.
Here’s the notice, which appeared in the Federal Register this week (and which theBoston Globe was first to report):

Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the Joslin Diabetes Center (Joslin) and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found that Dr. Shane Mayack, former postdoctoral fellow, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Joslin, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants T32 DK07260–29 and P30 DK036836 and the 2008 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program grant DP2 OD004345–01.
ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct involving two (2) published papers:
• Mayack, S.R., Shadrach, J.L., Kim, F.S., & Wagers, A.J. ‘‘Systemic signals regulate ageing and rejuventation of blood stem cell niches.’’ Nature 463:495–500, 2010.
• Mayack, S.R., & Wagers, A.J. ‘‘Osteolineage niche cells initiate hemotopoietic stem cell mobilization.’’ Blood 112:519–531, 2008.
As a result of Joslin’s investigation, both Nature 463:495–500, 2010 (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘Nature paper’’) and Blood 112:519–531, 2008 (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘Blood paper’’) have been retracted by the corresponding author.
Specifically, ORI found that:
• Respondent falsely represented von Kossa-stained bone nodule images in two (2) published papers:
Figure 2B in the Blood paper was copied from an unrelated published experiment in Figure 3, J Orth Surg Res 1:7, 2006, and was used to falsely represent Respondent’s own experiment for bone nodules formed in cultured osteoblastic niche cells.
b. Figure S2c in the Nature paper was copied from an online image for an unrelated experiment (at http://skeletalbiology.uchc.edu/30_ResearchProgram/304_gap/3042_Lineage%20in%20Vitro/3042_01_aCellCult.htm#mCOB) and was used to falsely represent Respondent’s own experiment for bone nodules formed in osteoblastic niche cells from young and aged mice.
• Respondent falsely represented eight (8) flow cytometry contour plots as different experimental results by using identical plots but with different labels and different numerical percentages.
Specifically, the following contour plots in the Blood paper, the Nature paper, an earlier version of the Nature paper submitted to Science (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘Science manuscript’’), and a July 2008 PowerPoint presentation were identical but were labeled differently:
a. Panels 4 and 2 in Figure 6C, Blood paper, and panels 1 and 2, respectively, in supplementary Figure 3b, Nature paper
b. Panel 3 in Figure 6C, Blood paper, and panel 1 in Figure 2, July 2008 PowerPoint presentation
Panels 1 and 2, Figure 2b, Science manuscript, and panels 2 and 3, respectively, in Figure 2, July 2008 PowerPoint presentation
Panels 2, 3, and 4, supplemental Figure 4A, Blood paper, and panels 3, 1, and 2, respectively, in Figure 4B, Science manuscript
Both the Respondent and HHS want to conclude this matter without further expenditure of time or other resources and have entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement to resolve this matter. Respondent neither admits nor denies ORI’s finding of research misconduct. This settlement does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of the Respondent.
Nearly two years have passed since we first wrote about Mayack. At the time, Wagers’ group had just retracted a 2010 Nature paper — with a notable exception: Mayack refused to sign the notice, nor did she sign the notice for the retraction of the Blood paper, which appeared in late 2011.
As she wrote on this blog:

… the readers of Retraction Watch are no doubt aware that in October 2010, a paper that I co-authored was retracted fromNature and a notice of concern was posted regarding a second paper published in Blood.
So, what went wrong?
The answer to that question begins with the fact that errors, not fabrications, were made in assembling figures for these manuscripts. I am likely the one who made these errors.
Mayack reiterated that position in a comment, through her attorney, to us today:

I remain deeply sorry to the scientific community for mistakes made during the preparation of figures corresponding to some of the work I performed as a postdoc at Harvard Medical School. These were mistakes in representation and presentation of the data, as corroborated by ORI’s findings of ‘falsely presented’, and were not due to fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism of scientific results. I am deeply committed to moving forward and strive to contribute positively to the advancement of science, which has always been my utmost interest.
Wagers recently received tenure.

http://retractionwatch.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/ori-finds-harvard-stem-cell-lab-post-doc-mayack-manipulated-images/ 

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Here is the express Stem Cell news on the other place - my paper.li. Very interesting place to put your information. I like it!:

heart repair and stem cells

Wonderful! http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/science-on-the-spot-new-hope-for-heart-repair/

Stem Cell Comics

Open publication - Free publishing

Beautiful educational comics about stem cells! ‘Hope Beyond Hype’ is a story about stem cell therapies from science discovery to working therapy.

Beautiful Cell Pictures

Those beautiful cell pictures were found at  http://bpod.mrc.ac.uk/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keywords=stem+cells 

07 Apr 2012
Dopamine Delivery


02 Apr 2012
Skin Stalactites 

Cool Article About the History of Stem Cell Research!

That's wonderful! I thought about it lots of times!

Who really discovered stem cells?
Is it even possible that one scientific team all by themselves discovered something so ubiquitous as stem cells?
In theory “yes”, but after much historical research including this great historical article in Cell Stem Cell, I would argue that no one group really discovered stem cells.
Instead I believe the “discovery” of stem cells was an ongoing team effort over a period of many decades and there is much credit to go around.
Who gets the credit now according to most people now for “discovering” stem cells?
Canada rightly takes pride in the work of their scientists Drs. James Till and Ernset McCulloch, who did pioneering studies in hematopoietic stem cell research.
In Canada, Till and McCulloch are unambiguously called the world’s discoverers of stem cells. Period. No ambiguity.
But is that correct?
Nope.

Stem Cell Aging

http://www.fightaging.org/images/aging_of_stem_cells.jpg

the problem of Stem Cell Aging is one of the most intrigueing in stem cell biology field.

Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Cord Blood Registry® (CBR) are launching the first FDA-approved, Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss.

Stem Cell Research Problems

Another one opinion on stem cell research:

A lot has been written and also said about stem cell research, and most of these trumpet about ultimately locating a cure for several ailments. Nevertheless, presently there are also camps that absolutely dismiss the stem cell research pros, while focusing on its purportedly damaging aspects. But before many of us live on the stem cell research disadvantages, allow us very first discuss exactly what come cellular material are regarding. Originate cells produce fresh blood vessels tissues, which is why they will are considered as the blood’s human being building blocks. The thing that makes come cells particular is the simple fact that they can possibly become various kinds of cells, which usually in switch may be developed into specialized cellular material that may be used by scientists in their own search for ways to repair bodily organs that have by now sustained harm.
Of the a couple of vast forms of stem tissues observed in mammals, embryonic base cells are the versions that could possibly grow into other kinds of tissues. Very easily stored in a laboratory, embryonic base cellular material, are additionally special in the feeling that they are able to identical them selves in countless amounts, along with forever with that.
This quality on your own means they are ideal for scientific utilize along with ongoing stem cell research. Most of this reports have already proven that serious diseases similar to ms, Parkinson's along with Alzheimer's is treatable with the assistance of come tissue. That perhaps retains the potential to the treatment of heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, liver disease, pancreas disease and also arthritis, as well as discovering a treat for cancer malignancy.
But for almost all the stem cell research pros, some groupings notice the concerns in the idea. Much of the stem cell research downsides that that they are professing are moral in character. These people say that because embryonic come cells are in truth little embryos, just what stem mobile researchers are tinkering with is living. Almost all of those who take this distinct argument are those which consider that existence starts with conception, certainly not at start, as just what is typically accepted.
The problem of cloning has also hounded stem cellular scientists, which profess they only rely on them for research functions, not necessarily to clone another individual. Nevertheless whichever the problems for or versus stem cell research are, the truth remains that teens is on the verge involving a main health-related as well as scientific jump, one that can modify the globe once and for all.

http://shyfish.info/a-peek-at-each-side-in-the-stem-cell-studies-discussion/ 

From Stem Cell TV

Interesting video!

Education (stem cell topic)

Beautiful stem cell education resource: http://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/

The Best Mesenchymal Stem Cell Reviews (part 1)

I'm involved in MSC-research and I love brilliant articles on that topic. The list of my favorite reviews about Mesenchymal Stem Cells is here now:


Klopp, A., Gupta, A., Spaeth, E., Andreeff, M., & Marini, F. (2011). Concise Review: Dissecting a Discrepancy in the Literature: Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells Support or Suppress Tumor Growth? STEM CELLS, 29 (1), 11-19 DOI: 10.1002/stem.559
KNEE SURGERY, SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY, ARTHROSCOPY
Volume 17, Number 11, 1289-1297, DOI: 10.1007/s00167-009-0782-4

A Comprehensive Review on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth and Senescence Krzysztof Książek. Rejuvenation Research. April 2009, 12(2): 105-116. doi:10.1089/rej.2009.0830.




Kim, S., & de Vellis, J. (2009). Stem cell-based cell therapy in neurological diseases: A review Journal of Neuroscience Research, 87 (10), 2183-2200 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22054




Stem Cells Trans MedDecember 2011sctm.2011-0024
Concise Review: Clinical Translation of Wound Healing Therapies Based on Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Wesley M. Jackson, Leon J. Nesti, and Rocky S. Tuan

Inflammation and mesenchymal stem cell aging Gunter Lepperdinger
Current Opinion in Immunology Volume 23, Issue 4, August 2011, Pages 518-524
doi:10.1016/j.coi.2011.05.007

And the very best:

Karp, J., & Leng Teo, G. (2009). Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homing: The Devil Is in the Details Cell Stem Cell, 4 (3), 206-216 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2009.02.001





To be continued...

Stemmy!111 ^_^

So cuuuuute!11111

And more about Stemmy:

Aaaaaannnnnddddd moooooooreeee:

Pictures from http://www.terry.ubc.ca/2009/08/07/faq-stem-cells-sa-mix/, moreover you can find text there.

Stem Cells in new video