The Stem Cell Podcast

Guest: Stem cell researcher Dr. Kristin Hope discusses her work and latest paper in Nature. Her team examined umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells and the RNA-binding protein musashi-2. Resources and Links Doctors Say Olympics Should Be Postponed or Moved – Doctors and professors are urging the World Health Organization to move or postpone the summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro due to the widening Zika outbreak in Brazil. Bacteria Resistant to Last-Resort Antibiotic Appears in U.S. – This article reports that a 49-year-old woman in United States has tested positive for a strain of Escherichia coli, known as mrc-1, which is resistant to the antibiotic colistin and that the bacteria’s gene rides on a transferable loop of DNA called a a plasmid. Fruit Fly’s Giant Sperm Is Quite an Exaggeration – This article reveals that certain fruit fly species, such as Drosophila bifurca, males measuring just a few millimeters produce sperm with a tail as long as 5.8-centimeters. FDA Approves Device to Wean Addicts off Heroin – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug-emitting implant to combat addiction to heroin and other opioids killing thousands of people annually. Stem Cell Industry Blowing Up... The Global Market for Stem Cells – This article reports that the global stem cell market reached over $5.9 billion in 2015 and will grow from about $6.7 billion in 2016 to nearly $12.3 billion in 2021, registering a compound annual growth rate of 13.1% from 2016 through 2021. Israeli Firms Develop High-Speed 3D Printer for Stem Cells – Israeli 3D printer firm Nano Dimension has successfully lab-tested a 3D bioprinter for stem cells, paving the way for the potential printing of large tissues and organs. Biologists Find How Plants Reconstitute Stem Cells – A team of biologists at New York University showed that regenerating plants can naturally reconstitute their stem cells from more mature cells by replaying embryogenesis. Genetic Drift Can Compromise Mitochondrial Replacement by Nuclear Transfer in Human Oocytes – Researchers show that using human mitochondrial replacement stem cell lines, even though the low levels of heteroplasmy introduced into human oocytes by mitochondrial carryover during nuclear transfer often vanish, they can sometimes instead result in mtDNA genotypic drift and reversion to the original genotype. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Kristin Hope Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Stem cell researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Su-Chun Zhang discusses his work and latest paper in Cell Stem Cell. His paper looks at grafting human pluripotent stem cells in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Resources and Links Scientists Talk Privately about Creating a Synthetic Human Genome – Scientists are now contemplating the fabrication of a human genome, meaning they would use chemicals to manufacture all the DNA contained in human chromosomes. Second Skin’ May Reduce Wrinkles, Eyebags, Scientists Say – Researchers said a “second skin” composed of commonly used chemicals like siloxanes can be painted on your skin and give it the elasticity of youth. Faulty Gene Can Turn Colds Deadly for Babies, Toddlers – This article reveals that some children have rare genetic variants that can turn their first encounter with colds and other respiratory viruses deadly. Australia Will Release Herpes into Its Rivers to Wipe Out Invasive Carp – This article reports that the Australian government plans to use a herpes virus to eradicate the country’s most devastating invasive species—common carp. The US Is about to Hit a Big Solar Energy Milestone – The US is on track to hit a big number in renewable energy: more than 1 million American homes should have solar panels by February 2016. Stem Cells Are Dangerously Overhyped, Warn Researchers – A study recently published says it’s time for everyone—from the media, to press officers, to journal publishers and even the scientists themselves—to chill out about stem cells. New Stem Cell Discovery Could Boost Corn Crop Yields by an Astounding 50 Percent – This article reports that a newly discovered stem cell signaling pathway could boost yields from corn and other staple crops by up to 50 percent in the very near term. Zika Virus Disrupts Neural Progenitor Development and Leads to Microcephaly in Mice – Researchers found that Asian Zika virus strain SZ01 could infect neural precursor cells in vivo and affect brain development; it replicates efficiently in embryonic mouse brain by directly targeting different neuronal linages. Zika Virus Depletes Neural Progenitors in Human Cerebral Organoids through Activation of the Innate Immune Receptor TLR3 – This article describes how Zika virus infection leads to microcephaly, using human embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral organoids to recapitulate early stage, first trimester fetal brain development. Why Lab-Made Stem Cells Might Fail: Errors in DNA Folding – Researchers have discovered one of the reasons why induced pluripotent stem cells don't always correctly differentiate back into adult cells: the reversion process does not always fully capture the way a cell's genome is folded up inside its nucleus. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Su-Chun Zhang Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Stem cell researcher Dr. Arnold Kriegstein from the University of California, San Francisco to discusses his work and latest paper in Cell Stem Cell on how the Zika virus affects neural stem cells. Resources and Links Zika Is More Dangerous than We Thought – This article describes the danger of Zika virus like microcephaly in children born from women who have had Zika during pregnancy and Guillain-Barre syndrome – a nerve disorder that causes temporary muscle paralysis. Plants Use Prions to Remember – This article reveals that prions, proteins that change shape and shift tasks, may occur in plants as a form of memory. Uncertainty Is Stressful, but that Stress May Not Always Be Bad – This article demonstrates that subjective estimates of uncertainty predict the dynamics of subjective and physiological stress responses. Dragons Sleep Like Us – Sleeping lizards appear to share distinctive brain activity patterns with sleeping birds and mammals. EPA Boosts Estimate of U.S. Methane Emissions – This article reports that US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has boosted its estimate of total U.S. methane emissions by 13 percent, which is an increase of more than 3.4 million metric tons of the greenhouse gas and has the same long-term global warming impact as a year’s worth of emissions from about 20 million cars. Risky Skull Surgery Done for Ritual Reasons 6,000 Years Ago – This article reveals that between 6,000 and 4,000 years ago, skilled surgeons in southwestern Russia cut holes the size of silver dollars or larger out of the backs of people’s skills for ritual reasons. Miniature, Beating Hearts Grown Using Stem Cells – Researchers describe an approach that combines features of engineered heart muscle and cardiospheres: micro-heart muscle arrays, in which elongated muscle fibers are formed in an easily fabricated template, with as few as 2,000 iPS-cardiomyocytes per individual tissue. Genome Editing of Lineage Determinants in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals Mechanisms of Pancreatic Development and Diabetes – Researchers not only verified conserved gene requirements between mice and humans but also revealed a number of previously unsuspected developmental mechanisms with implications for type 2 diabetes. Chemical Control of Grafted Human PSC-Derived Neurons in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease – This article shows tunable rescue of motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, following transplantation of human midbrain dopaminergic neurons differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) engineered to express DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug). Combined Inhibition of DNMT and HDAC Blocks the Tumorigenicity of Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Attenuates Mammary Tumor Growth – A combination of the DNMT inhibitor 5-azacytidine and the HDAC inhibitor butyrate markedly reduced cancer stem cell abundance and increased the overall survival in this mouse model. Scientists Uncover New Way to Grow Rare Life-Saving Blood Stem Cells – This article shows that overexpression of the RNA-binding protein Musashi-2 (MSI2) induces multiple pro-self-renewal phenotypes, including a 17-fold increase in short-term repopulating cells and a net 23-fold ex vivo expansion of long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Arnold Kriegstein Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Kateri Moore, an associate professor at Icahn School of Medicine, shares her pioneering work on hematopoietic stem cells and their therapeutic potentials. She discusses innovative techniques for reprogramming somatic cells into hematopoietic cells and their implications for cancer therapies. The conversation also touches on the dormant states of these stem cells and their activation during stress. Insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in this dynamic field highlight the emotional journey of scientific research, alongside reflections on their personal milestones.

Guest: Stem cell researcher Dr. Joe Zhou from Harvard discusses his work and latest paper in Cell Stem Cell. His research covers beta cells, insulin regulation and organoids. Resources and Links Climate Change to Affect Wine Quality – This article suggests that climate change has fundamentally altered the climatic drivers of early wine grape harvests in France, with possible ramifications for viticulture management and wine quality. Men in US Have Lower Life Expectancies than Other Countries – This article presents the three main reasons why men in US have lower life expectancies, which are: gun violence, drugs, and car accidents. How to Tell if a T-Rex Is Pregnant – Scientists can determine if Tyrannosaurus rex is female and pregnant by the presence of medullary bone. Lost Memories Retrieved in Mice with Alzheimer’s Like Symptoms – Scientists try to retrieve “forgotten” memories in mice engineered to have Alzheimer’s symptoms. US Gets a Failing Grade in Healthy Lifestyle Behavior – Only 2.7% of all adults had all four healthy lifestyle characteristics, which are: being sufficiently active, eating a healthy diet, being a nonsmoker, and having a recommended body fat percentage. Over the Counter Painkiller More Dangerous They You Think – This article describes the effects of taking non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs especially the risk of heart complications and bleeding. Making Sperm from Stem Cells – Researchers report complete in vitro meiosis from embryonic stem cell-derived primordial germ cells. Four Key Genes Govern Growth, Multiplication of Blood Stem Cells – This article shows cohesin as a major regulator of hematopoietic stem cells and illustrate the power of global RNAi screens to identify modifiers of cell fate. Hematopoietic Reprogramming In Vitro Informs In Vivo Identification of Hemogenic Precursors to Definitive Hematopoietic Stem Cells – This article presents how reprogramming reveals a phenotype for in vivo precursors to hemogenic endothelium, establishing that direct in vitro conversion informs developmental processes in vivo. A New CRISPR Advance – CRISPR interference system in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a powerful platform to perform genome-scale screens in a wide range of iPSC-derived cell types, dissect developmental pathways, and model disease. Reprogrammed Stomach Tissue as a Renewable Source of Functional β Cells for Blood Glucose Regulation – Scientists show that reprogramming of antral stomach cells assembled into bioengineered mini-organs in vitro yielded transplantable units that also suppressed hyperglycemia in diabetic mice, highlighting the potential for development of engineered stomach tissues as a renewable source of functional β cells for glycemic control. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Joe Zhou Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: We bring on writer and researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey to discuss his work on anti-aging.  We talk with Dr. de Grey on his latest findings and his ultimate goal of eliminating aging so we call can one day celebrate our 1000th birthday. Resources and Links Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Stress Susceptibility – According to this article, stress-related mental illnesses are twice as prevalent in women as in men. Global Divergence of the Human Follicle Mite Demodex folliculorum: Persistent Associations between Host Ancestry and Mite Lineages – Researchers found that hosts with different regional ancestries harbor distinct lineages of mites and that these associations can persist despite generations spent in a new geographic region. Pain Produces Memory Gain – This article reveals that physical pain can make memories last longer. Integrated, Multi-Cohort Analysis Identifies Conserved Transcriptional Signatures across Multiple Respiratory Viruses – Researchers performed two integrated, multi-cohort analyses of publicly available transcriptional data of viral infections. Human Parasites in the Roman World – This article presents the archeological evidence for parasites in the Roman era in order to demonstrate the species present at that time, and highlight the health consequences for people living under Roman rule. Key Elements of Healthy Eating Patterns – This article provides guidelines and key recommendations for individuals to enhance eating and physical activity patterns. 9 Science-Backed Steps to Have the Best Sleep of Your Life – Tonight – This article shares nine simple, science-backed strategies you can do today that'll increase your odds of sleeping better tonight and waking up refreshed tomorrow. StemCells (STEM) Names New CEO – StemCells Inc. announced that Dr. Ian Massey, its President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed by the Board of Directors to succeed Martin McGlynn as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. A Protein Biomarker Confirms the Presence of Stem Cells that Maintain Ovaries – Stem cell activity in the outer lining of the ovary, now identified in mice by A*STAR researchers, will elucidate normal ovarian activity and offer insights into the origins of disease. Defined Three-Dimensional Microenvironments Boost Induction of Pluripotency – Researchers find that the physical cell confinement imposed by the 3D microenvironment boosts reprogramming through an accelerated mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and increased epigenetic remodeling. Engineered Stem Cells May Help in ALS – Stem cells engineered to secrete neurotrophic growth factors may slow progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Slow Stem Cell Division May Cause Small Brains – Duke University researchers have figured out how a developmental disease called microcephaly produces a much smaller brain than normal: some cells are simply too slow as they proceed through the neuron production process. Genetically Engineering Self-Organization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into a Liver Bud-Like Tissue Using Gata6 – Scientists present a novel approach for generating and then co-differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived progenitors through a genetically engineered pulse of GATA-binding protein 6 (GATA6) expression. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Aubrey de Grey Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: We feature some of our conversations with attendees from the 2015 World Stem Cell Summit from Atlanta, GA. Happy New Year! Resources and Links 4 New Elements Are Added to the Periodic Table – This article reports that the elements with atomic numbers 113, 115, 117 and 118 will get permanent names soon, according to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, with two of the four elements now known as ununseptium and ununtrium. New Type of Moon Rock Discovered by China's Yutu Lunar Rover – China's Yutu lunar rover made the discovery on a long-dead lava flow in the giant Mare Imbrium dark spot and found the volcanic rock known as basalt which has intermediate levels of titanium. CMV Vaccine Created at City of Hope Is Found Safe, Effective in Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants – City of Hope researchers report that an innovative vaccine known as CMVPepVax, that boosts cellular immunity against cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is safe and effective in stem cell transplant recipients. Melting Sea Ice Increases Arctic Precipitation, Complicates Climate Predictions – This article reports that the melting of sea ice will significantly increase Arctic precipitation, creating a climate feedback comparable to doubling global carbon dioxide, according to the findings of Dartmouth College-led study. Eating Poorly and Depressed? Yale Team Finds Connection — And Maybe a Solution – Yale researchers report that effects of a high-fat diet overlap with those of chronic stress and could also be a contributing factor in depression as well as metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes. MERS Vaccine Protects Camels, Which Is Good for People – The vaccine, which was developed by German scientists, protects against the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and has been shown to be effective in camels. Asperger's and Autism Linked to Decreased Action of Neurotransmitter GABA: Study – A new study from Harvard and MIT links autism symptoms to reduced action of GABA, a neurotransmitter responsible for dampening cellular activity in the brain. Is Extreme Longevity Genetic? Scientists Find Centenarians Lack Genes Underlying Certain Chronic Diseases – A group of U.S. and international researchers cited genetic studies have thus far identified a single gene, APOE, absent in centenarians, or the people who are one hundred or more years old. Stem Cells May Save Northern White Rhinos – This article reveals how researchers plan to use stem cells to create fertilized rhino embryos, which will be carried by surrogate southern white rhino females. Banking on Stem Cells at Cellular Dynamics International – Cellular Dynamics International is still one of the prominent companies at Unviersity Reasearch Park since it was purchased by Fujifilm, and plans to add staff in 2016. Human-Mouse Chimerism Validates Human Stem Cell Pluripotency – Researchers show, using a stage-matching approach, that human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells have the capacity to participate in normal mouse development when transplanted into gastrula-stage embryos, providing in vivo functional validation of hiPSC pluripotency. Grafted Human iPS Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Contribute to Robust Remyelination of Demyelinated Axons after Spinal Cord Injury – This article describes how researchers took advantage of their recently developed protocol to obtain human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cell-enriched neural stem/progenitor cells and report the benefits of transplanting these cells in a spinal cord injury model. Identification of Drugs that Regulate Dermal Stem Cells and Enhance Skin Repair – Researchers identified and validated five compounds that has the ability to enhance the self-renewal of human and rodent skin-derived precursors, and showed that two of them, alprostadil and trimebutine maleate, enhanced the repair of full thickness skin wounds in middle-aged ...

Guest: Scott Dylla, CSO and co-founder of Stemcentrx, a really cool new company that is using novel technology to target stem cells as a therapy for different cancers, joins us for the interview portion. Happy Holidays and New Year! Photo Reference: Courtesy of Scott Dylla Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Tilo Kunath discusses his work on characterizing clinical grade stem cells so they can be used for patient therapies. We talk to Tilo about his past and current work, including his latest paper published in Scientific Reports. Don't miss Tilo's funny story! Resources and Links Boeing Develops New Metal that Could Revolutionize Airplanes – Boeing reveals microlattice: a metal so thin that it can sit on the head of a dandelion. Smoking High-Strength Cannabis May Damage Nerve Fibres in Brain – People who regularly smoked strong skunk-like cannabis revealed subtle differences in the white matter that connects the left and right hemispheres and carries signals from one side of the brain to the other. A Breakdown Product of Aspirin Blocks Cell Death Associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's Diseases – A new study finds component of aspirin binds to an enzyme, called GAPDH, which is believed to play a major role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Sleep Deprivation Affects Stem Cells, Reducing Transplant Efficiency – Researchers found that a sleep deficit of just four hours affects by as much as 50 percent the ability of stem cells of the blood and immune system to migrate to the proper spots in the bone marrow of recipient mice and churn out the cell types necessary to reconstitute a damaged immune system. Genome-Wide RNA-Seq of Human Motor Neurons Implicates Selective ER Stress Activation in Spinal Muscular Atrophy – This article shows that selective activation of ER stress underlies motor neuron death in spinal muscular atrophy. Genetically Engineered Salmon Approved for Consumption – The federal regulators approved a genetically engineered salmon as fit for consumption, making it the first genetically altered animal to be cleared for American supermarkets and dinner tables. Microgravity Inhibits Regenerative and Differentiation Potential of Embryonic Stem Cells – A study performed on the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery showed that exposure of mouse embryonic stem cells to microgravity inhibited their ability to differentiate and generate most cell lineages, needed for the development of bone, muscle, the immune system, and other organs and tissues. Cranberry Juice Capsules Cut UTI Risk after Gynecological Surgery – This article reveals that cranberry juice capsules reduce the rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women undergoing elective benign gynecological surgery involving urinary catheterization. Microbes Play Role in Anti-Tumor Response – The presence of certain types of gut microbes in mice can boost the anti-tumor effects of cancer immunotherapy. Amyloid-Targeting Immunotherapy Disrupts Neuronal Function – In this article, some antibodies designed to eliminate the plaques prominent in Alzheimer’s disease can aggravate neuronal hyperactivity in mice. Expert Panel Approves Human Gene Editing – A new expert panel says research on human gene editing should proceed, with one notable exception: no putting edited cells in the womb to make a baby. Creating Patient-Specific Neural Cells for the In Vitro Study of Brain Disorders – This article outlines the researchers’ collective views on the current state of hiPSC-based disease modeling and discusses what they see to be the critical objectives that must be addressed collectively as a field. Growing Stem Cells Faster on Seaweed – Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT in Sulzbach have identified seaweed from Chile as a particularly efficient source of nutrients for the expansion of pluripotent stem cells. Stem-Cell Gene Therapy Restores Immune System Response – Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that gene therapy may be able to rebuild the immune systems of older children, adolescents and young adults who suffer from the disease known as X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.

Guest: Clinician and researcher Dr. Lior Gepstein discusses his work on using stem cells to model heart disease. We talk to Dr. Gepstein about his past and current work, including his latest paper published in Stem Cell Reports. His research covers human-induced pluripotent stem cell-cardiomyocytes and calcium levels. Resources and Links Antibiotic Resistance: World on Cusp of 'Post-Antibiotic Era – The world is on the cusp of a "post-antibiotic era", scientists have warned after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed. MG, the Newest STD on the Block, Found in over 1% of the Population – This article reports that slightly more than 1 percent of 4,500 participants tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease (STD) known as Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Parasitic Worm 'Increases Women's Fertility' – This article suggests that infection with a species of parasitic round worm, Ascaris lumbricoides that alters the immune system, makes it easier for women to get pregnant. How a Raisin Can Predict a Toddler's Future Academic Ability – A simple test using a raisin can predict how well a toddler will perform academically at age eight, based on a research conducted at the University of Warwick. Uterus Transplant: First US Clinical Trial Begins – This article reports that the first clinical trial of uterus transplantation in the United States has begun at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and in the process of selecting women with uterine factor infertility, a condition in which a woman was born without a uterus, has lost her uterus, or has a uterus that no longer functions. Viagra for Type 2 Diabetes: 'Little Blue Pill' Reduces Insulin Resistance without Risk of Heart and Kidney Disease – This article reveals that Sildenafil, active ingredient in Viagra, may improve insulin sensitivity and prevent type 2 diabetes, without heart and kidney disease risk. 'Ringo the Dog' Helps Find Potential New Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy – Ringo, a golden retriever, has made an important contribution to science by helping researchers discover a gene that inhibits the consequences of dystrophin loss in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Impairment of Sense of Smell May Indicate Dementia – A new study revealed that the decline in a person's olfactory sense may be an indicator of mild cognitive impairment, Lewy body, vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Nanopores Could Take the Salt out of Seawater – University of Illinois engineers have found an energy-efficient material, a nanometer-thick sheet of molybdenum disulfide riddled with tiny holes called nanopores, specially designed to let high volumes of water through but keep salt and other contaminates out, a process called desalination. With $379M Deal for Ocata, Astellas Buys Stem Cells for Eye Diseases – Japanese drug firm Astellas Pharma announced that it has agreed to buy Ocata Therapeutics, which is developing regenerative medicines for eye diseases. Thanks, George W., for the Boost to Stem Cell Research – This article reports that in 2001, George W. Bush restricted the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but three years later, California started its own stem cell program, and several states followed suit. NFL Legend Bart Starr Undergoes Second Experimental Stem Cell Treatment in Mexico – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr hopes to be in Green Bay on Thanksgiving to see Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey retired at halftime in person after recently undergoing his second experimental stem cell treatment in Mexico. Parents Hope Harvesting Stem Cells from Baby Teeth Will Save Lives – This article describes how one couple, RJ and Cindy Brideau, are banking stem cells that have been harvested from their children's baby teeth. Urine-Derived Stem Cells Predict Patient Response to Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs – This article suggests that inhibitors of PCSK9, a liver enzyme involved in regulating cholesterol homeostasis,