Stem Cells
A team at the Whitehead Institute have simplified the process of turning adult stem cells into ESCs, cutting the number of viruses used from four to one. Report
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found esophageal stem cells in mice that could grow into tissue-like structures and could be used to replace the lining of the esophagus. Release
A new mouse model has been created to help track the activity of blood stem cells. Story
Two UCLA scientists have won $1.8 million in grants to support their work developing new tools for stem cell research. Story
Cellular electrical signals have been used to spur stem cell differentiation. Report
Genetics
Scientists have discovered six new gene variants that predispose people to eat too much, raising the argument that many people are genetically programmed for obesity. Story
A newly published genome sequence of a breast cancer cell line reveals a heavily rearranged genetic blueprint involving breaks and fusions of genes and a broken DNA repair machinery. Release
Dik van Gent and colleagues, at Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands, have now identified a new genetic cause of SCID--sometimes known as 'Boy in the bubble syndrome'--characterized by a lack of T cells and B cells (T-B- SCID). Specifically, they identified a patient with T-B- SCID who has a mutation in the gene DNA-PKcs. Release
Researchers at deCode Genetics and colleagues from Australia and Denmark have found common single-letter variations (SNPs) in the human genome linked to low bone mineral density, the clinical measurement used to diagnose osteoporosis. Release
Cancer Research
MIT researchers used carbon nanotubes to measure levels of chemotherapy drugs, toxins and free radicals in a body. Report
Ovarian cancer cells are "addicted" to a family of proteins produced by the notorious oncogene, MYC. Blocking these MYC proteins halts cell proliferation in the deadliest cancer of the female reproductive system, according to a presentation by University of California, Berkeley scientists at the American Society for Cell Biology's annual meeting. Release