Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Technologies

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method that greatly simplifies the production of large DNA molecules containing many hundreds of genes. With this method, they have built the first genome of a bacterium entirely designed by a computer algorithm. The method has the potential to revolutionise biotechnology.

Current pharmaceutical treatments for heart failure including ACE inhibitors and beta blockers center on trying to stop a vicious cycle of heart muscle loss as strain further damages remaining heart muscle, causing more cells to die, explains UT Southwestern physician-researcher Hesham A.

Chinese researchers are studying the use of stem cell technology in the treatment of people critically ill with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the Science and Technology Daily.

scientists have now found brain cells that help clean up these tangles and prolong life at least in worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) and possibly mice. This could lead to drugs that improve muscle health or extend a healthy human lifespan.

Researchers have converted human stem cells into insulin-producing cells and demonstrated in mice infused with such cells that blood sugar levels can be controlled and diabetes functionally cured for nine months.

The site-specific incorporation of noncanonical monomers into polypeptides through genetic code reprogramming permits synthesis of bio-based products that extend beyond natural limits.

The early development of embryos is not well understood. One necessary stage is the formation of the blastocyst, a collection of cells present by about 4 days after fertilization of the egg, before implantation in the uterus. From that tiny collection of cells, all the different cells in the body must be created.

In research published today in Cell Reports, the team of researchers from King’s and the University of Cambridge have identified the mechanism behind hardening of the arteries for which there is no treatment.

A handheld 3D skin printer developed by researchers at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre can deposit sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds – and its “bio ink” can accelerate the healing process.

Scientists have demonstrated their protocol for the reproducible isolation of kidney stem cells from human urine. These urine derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) could be used to provide easier access to stem cells for regenerative kidney therapies and modelling diseases for R&D.