Stem cell power unleashed after 30 minute dip in acid
Posted: January 29, 2014 at 10:42 pm
Continue reading page |1|2 |3
The revolutionary discovery that any cell can be rewound to a pre-embryonic state remarkably easily could usher in new therapies and cloning techniques
A LITTLE stress is all it took to make new life from old. Adult cells have been given the potential to turn into any type of body tissue just by tweaking their environment. This simple change alone promises to revolutionise stem cell medicine.
Yet New Scientist has also learned that this technique may have already been used to make a clone. "The implication is that you can very easily, from a drop of blood and simple techniques, create a perfect identical twin," says Charles Vacanti at Harvard Medical School, co-leader of the team involved.
Details were still emerging as New Scientist went to press, but the principles of the new technique were outlined in mice in work published this week. The implications are huge, and have far-reaching applications in regenerative medicine, cancer treatment and human cloning.
In the first few days after conception, an embryo consists of a bundle of cells that are pluripotent, which means they can develop into all cell types in the body. These embryonic stem cells have great potential for replacing tissue that is damaged or diseased but, as their use involves destroying an embryo, they have sparked much controversy.
To avoid this, in 2006 Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University, Japan, and colleagues worked out how to reprogram adult human cells into what they called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They did this by introducing four genes that are normally found in pluripotent cells, using a harmless virus.
The breakthrough was hailed as a milestone of regenerative medicine the ability to produce any cell type without destroying a human embryo. It won Yamanaka and his colleague John Gurdon at the University of Cambridge a Nobel prize in 2012. But turning these stem cells into therapies has been slow because there is a risk that the new genes can switch on others that cause cancer.
Now, Vacanti, along with Haruko Obokata at the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, and colleagues have discovered a different way to rewind adult cells without touching the DNA. The method is striking for its simplicity: all you need to do is place the cells in a stressful situation, such as an acidic environment.
The idea that this might work comes from a phenomenon seen in the plant kingdom, whereby drastic environmental stress can change an ordinary cell into an immature one from which a whole new plant can arise. For example, the presence of a specific hormone has been shown to transform a single adult carrot cell into a new plant. Some adult cells in reptiles and birds are also known to have the ability to do this.
Go here to see the original:
Stem cell power unleashed after 30 minute dip in acid
- Macular Degeneration Improved With Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2011]
- Cells That Heal Us From Cradle To Grave: A Quantum Leap in Medical Science [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Patient Richard H. MS Treatment [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- STEM CELLS FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION Sam Smith's story.wmv [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Visions Episode 92: Stem Cells Discovery [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Doctors Use Stem Cells to Grow New Windpipes [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2011]
- Dr. Janet Rossant, Premier's Summit Award 2010 recipient [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2011]
- Stem Cells Used to Grow Windpipes [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2011]
- University of Melbourne announce Stem Cells Discovery [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- Sims 2 Mafia Story Part 7 - Farewell, Godfather/Stem Cell Medicine [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: Huntington's Disease [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Autism Stem Cell Trip [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Regenerative Medicine and Applications of Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Before/After Stem Cell for COPD: From Unable to Walk, to Dancing at My Daughter's Wedding [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Regenerative Medicine with Placenta Extracts and Stem Cell Therapies - Dr. Janethy Balakrishnan [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Stem Cells [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- The Politics and Promise of Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Clinical Advances in Adult Stem Cell Therapy - Dr. Jorge Paz Rodriguez (Miami) [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Therapy Clinical Advances - Dr. Jorge Paz in San Diego, CA March 2011 [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Geron's Embryonic Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Spinal Cord Injury [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cells and a Brief Mention of Bacon [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Bone Marrow Stem Cells/Gene Therapy [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Sucess Stories - Laura Dominguez [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- 21st Century Stem Cell Scientists: The CIRM Creativity Awards [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Stem Cells for Autism: Community Outreach - Victoria - San Diego, CA March 2011 [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Promise in Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Autism: Community Outreach Miami, Florida - May 2011 [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: Fulfilling the Promise - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- The potential of amniotic fluid stem cells [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments for Autism: Community Outreach Miami, Florida - Juliana Ubinas [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Stem Cells-Iran-08-28-2011 [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Cells of the Immune System [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Roman Reed: What all patient advocates at the World Stem Cell Summit should know [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Don Reed: Why we need new stem cell therapies and how you can help [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy and Stem Cell Treatments - Tim's Testimonial [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Kerri Kimler: What I'll be telling people back in Texas about the World Stem Cell Summit [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Laural Barchas: The World Stem Cell Summit brings people together to find therapies [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Judy Roberson: Patient advocates drive stem cell scientists [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Jonathan Thomas: What everyone at the World Stem Cell Summit should know about CIRM [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Medical Breakthrough: First Stem Cell Procedure [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Bioproduction - Therapeutics, Vaccines, [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- A Stem Cell Story - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Is stem cell research a growing concern .flv - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Stem_Cell_Therapy_for_ALS.wmv - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Glazer's Edge: Peyton's Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: The Hope The Hype and the Science - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- euronews science - Scientists edge nearer unlimited blood bank - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- Thomas Ichim discusses the latest with Stem Cells Lee Buckler and Dr. Amit Patel Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Preserving Stem Cells: Regenerative Medicine [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Batten Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Stephen Huhn - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Professor Dimitrios Karussis: Treating MS - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Retina and cornea regeneration ACT Dr lanza - Advanced Cell Technology - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Medical tourism in Croatia - Regenerative medicine-Stem cells in reconstructive surgery - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia: First Choice or Last Ditch? - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: Growing New Parts - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- The CIRM Creativity Awards: Training 21st Century Stem Cell Scientists - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- What Organ Shortage? Just Make Your Own! Stem Cells and Organ Engineering - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- The Human Embryo and Embyronic Stem Cell Biology - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- Stem Cells - Treatment for Autism - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cells - Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- StemCellTV Daily Report-November 4, 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case Study - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Scientific Rationale - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment Anti Aging - Video [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2011]
- 4th International Symposium on Regenerative Medicine, Tissue and Genetic Engineering - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Storage from Fat | offered by American CryoStem - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- Alumni Profile: Dr. John Tisdale, NIH Researcher, Stem Cell Transplants and Sickle Cell - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- Blood cells from Embryonic Stem Cells: Cornelis Murre - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Based Therapies for Blindness: David Hinton - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: Treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- A Fascinating Nexus Linking HIV and Stem Cells: Warner Greene - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- Biotech Perspectives for Stem Cell Research: Don Francis - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- Fat-Derived Stem Cells for Tissue Repair: Michael Longaker - CIRM Science Writer's Seminar - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- So Many Chemicals...So Little Time: Stem Cell Research and Environmental Health - Video [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Could Repair Heart [11-14-2011] - Video [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- Craig Saunders Discusses Stem Cell Education at the Evolution of Fat Workshop in Dallas, TX - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- StemCellTV Daily Report-November 24, 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Dr. Matt Travato at the Evolution of Fat Workshop Discusses Liposuction Comparison Study - Video [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]