The Stem Cell Podcast

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,

Guest: Writer, director and photographer Duane Fernandez talks about how curiosity drives him and his work. We talk to Duane on his experience with helping people from all walks of life and business experience their true potential and how this can apply to science. Resources and Links The Woman Who Can Smell Parkinson's Disease – According to this article, a woman from Perth named Joy Milne can detect people with Parkinson’s through a telltale odor. Neurons from Glia In Vivo – Scientists present new recipes for directly converting glial cells to neurons in mouse brains. Exclusive Video: First "Glowing" Sea Turtle Found – Scientists diving near the Solomon Islands made an illuminating discovery: the first biofluorescent reptile ever recorded. Japanese Scientist Haruko Obokata Stripped of Doctorate over Stem Cell Scandal – Waseda University revoked a doctoral degree awarded to a young researcher embroiled in a scandal that has rocked the scientific establishment. Fighting Citrus Greening with Vibrating Orange Groves – According to this article, hijacking the mating signals of Asian citrus psyllids may help provide an environmentally friendly system for preventing citrus greening - a disease that has cost the Florida citrus industry billions of dollars in recent years. Neurons Reprogrammed in Animals – Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers have now shown that the networks of communication among reprogrammed neurons and their neighbors can also be changed, or “rewired.” A Cell Therapy Untested in Humans Saves a Baby with Cancer – This article reveals that cancer doctors have been electrified by a new approach that involves genetically altering patients’ T cells, the soldiers of the immune system, so that they can better attack cancers. Ovarian Cancer Drug Promising for Prostate Tumors – Olaparib, a drug designed to fight inherited ovarian cancers in women, appeared to help some men with advanced prostate cancer done in a small trial. Insulin Plays Very Strong Role in Dopamine Release, Significantly Influences This Important Choice – The more insulin there is in the brain, the more dopamine will be released, but new research indicates that this dopamine regulation might actually affect what we choose to eat. The Effect of Oxytocin Nasal Spray on Social Interaction Deficits Observed in Young Children with Autism: A Randomized Clinical Crossover Trial – This article shows that the synthetic hormone oxytocin nasal spray may provide a potential treatment to improve core social and behavioral difficulties in autism, but its efficacy has yet to be evaluated in young children who potentially may benefit to a greater extent. Small Molecules Efficiently Reprogram Human Astroglial Cells into Functional Neurons – Researchers demonstrate that sequential exposure of human astrocytes to a cocktail of nine small molecules that inhibit glial but activate neuronal signaling pathways can successfully reprogram astrocytes into neurons in 8-10 days. 3D Technology, Stem Cells Used to Aid Skull Bone Regrowth – A team of West Australian researchers will help patients needing cranial reconstructions to regrow parts of their own skulls as part of a new procedure using stem cells and advanced 3D printing technology. New Studies Question the Treatment of Female Infertility with Stem Cells – Professor Kui Liu from University of Gothenburg led a study, together with Professor Outi Hovatta of Karolinska Institutet, assert that the procedure of isolating stem cells is aspecific and also that the stem cells have not been capable of forming eggs. Co-Transplantation of Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Schwann Cells through Cerebral Spinal Fluid for the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Safety and Possible Outcome – This article discusses the procedure of how some researchers assess the safety and feasibility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell and Schwann cell co-injection through cerebral spinal fluid for the treatment o...

Guest: Dr. Steven Goldman from the University of Rochester talks about glial cells and his work using neural stem cells to model and fix diseases, like multiple sclerosis. Resources and Links Can a Cancer Drug Reverse Parkinson's Disease and Dementia? – A drug that's already approved for treating leukemia appears to dramatically reduce symptoms in people who have Parkinson's disease with dementia, or a related condition called Lewy body dementia. Study Shows Antioxidant Use May Promote Spread of Cancer – Scientists at the Children’s Research Institute at The University of Texas Southwestern have made a discovery that suggests cancer cells benefit more from antioxidants than normal cells, raising concerns about the use of dietary antioxidants by patients with cancer. Sitting for Long Periods Is No Worse for Your Health than Standing, Study Claims – This article reveals that prolonged sitting doesn’t appear to be killing you any faster than standing. Does Fungus Cause Alzheimer's? – In this article, researchers discover traces of fungus in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. Schizophrenia Symptoms Linked to Features of Brain's Anatomy? – This article describes how Washington University psychiatrist C. Robert Cloninger, MD, PhD, and fellow researchers have matched certain behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia to features of the brain's anatomy using advanced brain imaging. Can Diamonds Detect Cancer? – A new study out of Australia found that synthetic versions of diamonds to be effective at detecting early-stage cancerous tumors through magnetic resonance imaging. Armed Malaria Protein Found to Kill Cancer Cells – A new type of cancer therapy based on seemingly unrelated elements of malaria and cancer is showing promise for development. Ebola Found in the Semen of Some Men Nine Months Later – This article reveals that some men still have fragments of Ebola virus in their semen nine months after first showing symptoms of the virus. Larger Brains Do Not Lead to High IQs – This article shows that brain volume plays only a minor role in explaining IQ test performance in humans, but rather brain structure and integrity appear to be more important as a biological foundation of IQ. AIDS Pioneer Finally Brings AIDS Vaccine to Clinic – Robert Gallo’s team has been developing a vaccine with an unusual method of protection for 15 years and is now launching the first clinical trial of it in collaboration with Profectus BioSciences, a biotech that spun off from Institute of Human Virology. Newly Unraveled Dynamic Structure of DNA Could Pave Way for Better Medicines – This article reports that an improved understanding of the appearance of the DNA – shown in research to have a dynamic, constantly wiggling and morphing nature – is believed to help scientists in producing new antibiotics, more effective chemotherapies and better drugs. First 'In Womb' Stem Cell Trial to Begin – This article announced the first clinical trial injecting fetal stem cells into babies that are still in the womb. Scientists Produce Beef from Cow’s Stem Cells: Lab-Grown Burgers Could Be on the Menu by 2020 – Professor Mark Post who created the lab-grown burger made from stem cells in his lab facility in Maastricht, The Netherlands is developing the technology for mass production expressed confidence in having the novel product on the market in five years. Scottish Researchers Are 3D Printing Extremely Delicate Stem Cells – The team at Heriot-Watt led by Dr. Will Shu, at the University’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, have the distinction of being the first group to 3D print with stem cells, using a valve-based technique. Single Cell RNA-Sequencing of Pluripotent States Unlocks Modular Transcriptional Variation – Researchers find that the cellular transcriptomes of cells grown in three different conditions: serum, 2i, and the alternative ground state a2i, are distinct, with 2i being the most similar to blastocyst cells and including a subpopulation rese...

Guest: Dr. David Mooney, Professor of Bioengineering at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences discusses his work using biomaterials to help stem cells more efficiently integrate after transplantation. Resources and Links Gene-Editing Record Smashed in Pigs – Researchers modify more than 60 genes using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in effort to enable organ transplants into humans. NASA Discovers Evidence for Liquid Water on Mars – NASA scientists have found compelling evidence that liquid water exists on Mars based on the “recurring slope lineae,” patches of precipitated salt that appear to dribble down Mars’ steep slopes like tears rolling gently down a cheek. Stem Cell Fraud: A 60 Minutes Investigation – Scott Pelley confronts one disgraced doctor offering false hope to a family with a disabled child using unproven stem cell treatment. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. David Mooney Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Andrew Cohen, Associate Professor at Drexel University, discusses his work on creating new software and programs to track stem cell lineages using time lapse video data. Resources and Links Antidepressants plus Blood-Thinners Slow Down Brain Cancer – Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne scientists found that combining antidepressants with anticoagulants slows down brain tumors in mice. Seasonal Body Clocks Are Controlled By 'Calendar Cells': Scientists Identify Proteins that Determine When Mammals Mate – According to this article, experts found that “calendar cells” in a structure called the 'pars tuberalis' respond according to how much daylight there is and can change dramatically over the year, driving the seasonal reproductive cycle. Wine's Darkest Secret Revealed - It's All in the Fungi – This article reveals that a type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, makes a "small but significant" contribution to a wine's flavor and taste. Edges of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies Display Distinct Mechanical Properties and Differentiation Potential – This article describes the results found after the live imaging of the differentiation process of human embryonic stem cells, and reveals that cells on the outer edge of the undifferentiated colony begin to differentiate first and remain on the perimeter of the colony to eventually form a band of differentiation. Orthostatic Hypotension May Indicate Neurological Disease – According to this article, orthostatic hypotension may be an early warning sign of a serious neurological disease and may be associated with an increased risk of premature death. Why People in 'Tall' Nations Are More Likely to Be Slim – Researchers from Australia looked at nearly 9,500 people in 14 European countries and found a strong connection between genes that boost height and those associated with lower amounts of body fat. Salsalate Drug Offers New Hope for Treating Alzheimer's Disease and FTD – Scientists from the Gladstone Institutes discovered that salsalate, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, effectively reversed tau-related dysfunction in an animal model of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A Barrier against Brain Stem Cell Aging – Scientists from the University of Zurich identified a diffusion barrier that regulates the sorting of damaged proteins during cell division. New Study Finds Brain Disease in 95% of Deceased NFL Players – Researchers found evidence of brain disease in 95% of brains tested belongs to former NFL players with the repeated minor head trauma as the biggest risk to neurological health for footballers. Pinpointing Punishment – This study describes a new study co-authored by Joshua Buckholtz, an Assistant Professor of Psychology, René Marois, professor and chair of psychology at Vanderbilt and colleagues, explaining how a brain region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex coordinates third party punishment decisions of the type made by judges and juries. UK Scientists Apply for License to Edit Genes in Human Embryos – Scientists from London’s Francis Crick Institute have asked for permission to edit the genomes of human embryos use CRISPR/Cas9 technology — a request that could lead to the world’s first approval of such research by a national regulatory body. New Technique Lets Scientists Better See, Study Interface Where Two Cells Touch – University of Buffalo researchers and their colleagues at other institutions conducted a study to better understand myelin and the fatty insulator that enables communication between nerve cells. They studied how damage to myelin occurs, and how that damage may be repaired. Sonogenetics Is a Non-Invasive Approach to Activating Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans – Researchers demonstrate the use of low-pressure ultrasound as a non-invasive trigger to activate specific ultrasonically sensitized neurons in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Stem Cell Manufacturing Now Ready – This article announces the availability of ma...

Guest: Dr. Scott Noggle, VP of Stem Cell Research at The New York Stem Cell Foundation discusses his automated system for making iPS cells. Dr. Noggle applies new advances in pluripotent stem cell biology and cell reprogramming to the creation of human models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease to discover new disease targets. Resources and Links Reversing Muscle Atrophy with Food: Eating Apples, Green Tomatoes May Increase Muscle Strength – Researchers from the University of Iowa discovered that the ursolic acid in apple peels and tomatidine compounds in the skin of green tomatoes prevented muscle atrophy — the loss of muscle mass due to the natural aging process — by turning off the problematic protein ATF4. Homo naledi, a New Species of the Genus Homo from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa – According to this article, Berger et al. report the recent discovery of an extinct species from the genus Homo naledi that was unearthed from deep underground in what has been named the Dinaledi Chamber, in the Rising Star cave system in South Africa. Neurodegeneration: Amyloid-Β Pathology Induced in Humans – This article reveals that people who died of the neurodegenerative condition Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease after treatment with cadaver-derived human growth hormone also developed some of the pathological traits of Alzheimer's disease. Nearsightedness Develops When Kids with Specific Gene Read a Lot – This article suggests that when children with a certain gene spend much of their time doing activities that involve close work such as reading, they are more likely to develop nearsightedness. Brazilian Wasp Venom Kills Cancer Cells by Opening Them Up – In this article, a study reveals exactly how the social wasp Polybia paulista venom's toxin - called Polybia-MP1 - selectively kills cancer cells without harming normal cells. Neuroscientists Locate 'Alcoholism Neurons' in the Brain – According to this article, alcohol consumption alters the structure and function of neurons in an area of the brain called the dorsomedial striatum. New Strategy to Lower Blood Sugar May Help in Diabetes Treatment​ – Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggest a different strategy to lower blood sugar: by slowing the production of glucose in the liver. Tree Resin Research Offers New Epilepsy Treatment Potential – Researchers in Sweden published innovative new research that details how certain types of tree resin might contain substances with the potential to relieve or cure epilepsy. A New Factor in Depression? Brain Protein Discovery Could Lead to Better Treatments – This article points out that the discovery, about a protein called fibroblast growth factor 9 goes against previous findings that depressed brains often have less of key components than non-depressed brains. Sleep Deprivation Quadruples Your Risk of Catching a Cold – This article describes how sleep deprivation is greatly detrimental to your health, making you four times more likely to catch a cold. Researchers Explore Memory Problems Related to Parkinson's – This article reports that many people with Parkinson's disease have memory problems. The Earth Has 3 Trillion Trees, Study Finds – A study led by Yale University estimates the Earth is home to 3 trillion trees – more than what was previously believed. Automated, High-Throughput Derivation, Characterization and Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – The authors demonstrate that automated reprogramming and the pooled selection of polyclonal pluripotent cells results in high-quality, stable induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Procedures Need More Oversight – This article suggests that federal officials need to do more to prevent for-profit stem cell clinics from exploiting and potentially injuring patients, according to an article published in a leading medical journal. Masayo Takahashi Is Awarded Inaugural Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize Cent...

Guest: Dr. Flora Vaccarino from Yale University joins the show to discuss stem cells and autism, specifically her work on neural stem cells and how she is using them to study Autism Spectrum Disorder. Resources and Links Citizen Science Effort Highlights How Little We Know about Invisible Life in Our Own Homes – Scientists are announcing the discovery of thousands of unidentified species living in and around homes in the United States. Reprogramming Cancer Cells Back to Normal Looks Feasible, Study Shows – A new study in Nature Cell Biology suggests there may be a way to change the code so that cancer cells revert back to normal cells. Does This Phylum Make Me Look Fat? – Beyond carbs and fats, some studies have hinted that a key group of gut microbes — from the phylum Firmicutes — might be more common among people who are overweight. Identifying The Gene Switch That Turns Fat Cells Bad – This article reports that using state-of-the-art DNA editing tools, scientists have identified a genetic switch that helps govern the body’s metabolism. Human Brain Grown in a Lab Could Be Most Complete Yet – Scientists developed a miniature brain in the lab that was grown from the skin cells of an adult human and, incredibly, boasts 99% of the genes found in a human fetal brain. Science of Making Memories: Part of Your Hippocampus Decides Which Experiences are New or Different Versions of the Same – This article reveals that the CA3 region, a region of the hippocampus, decides what you will and can remember by answering the question: Is it the same or is it different? Major Publisher Retracts 64 Scientific Papers in Fake Peer Review Outbreak – In the latest episode of the fake peer review phenomenon, one of the world’s largest academic publishers, Springer, has retracted 64 articles from 10 of its journals after discovering that their reviews were linked to fake e-mail addresses. Safeguarding Gene Drive Experiments in the Laboratory – Multiple stringent confinement strategies should be used whenever possible in creating gene drive systems. Estimating the Reproducibility of Psychological Science – Scientists conducted a large-scale, collaborative effort to obtain an initial estimate of the reproducibility of psychological science. Adding Chili To Food Really CAN Help You Lose Weight: Compound In Fiery Peppers Tells The Body It's Full, Preventing Over-Eating – Eating chili peppers can activate the stomach to stretch and release the 'full-feeling' signals, stimulating a receptor called potential vanilloid 1 channel protein which stops a person from overeating. FDA Approves Addyi, a Libido Pill for Women – FDA approved the first prescription drug to enhance women’s sexual drive. Biogen, Columbia to Map ALS Disease Genes With Ice Bucket Money – Biogen Inc. and Columbia University Medical Center will map the genes and clinical traits of 1,500 people with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in an attempt to find a treatment for the devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Stem Cells Survive Wild Ride on Prototype Space Capsule – Despite a rough landing, stem cells riding in a prototype capsule called the RED-4U survived a long fall back to Earth during a drop test — part of an initiative to research the cells in space. Humanized Mice Reveal Differential Immunogenicity of Cells Derived from Autologous Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Using a humanized mouse model (denoted Hu-mice) reconstituted with a functional human immune system, researchers demonstrate that most teratomas formed by autologous integration-free human induced pluripotent stem cells exhibit local infiltration of antigen-specific T cells and associated tissue necrosis, indicating immune rejection of certain hiPSC-derived cells. Landmark IPSC Clinical Study On Hold Due to Genomic Issue – This article reports that the pioneering induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) clinical study in Japan led by top stem cell clinical researcher Dr. Masayo Takahashi has been stopped due to mutat...

Guest: Dr. Chris Armstrong, CEO of Stem Cell Theranostics, joins the hosts to discuss his company and how they are using iPSCs to model cardiovascular disease. Resources and Links Elusive Liver Stem Cell Identified in Mice by Researchers – Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine identified a cell type in the liver of mice that can both self-renew and make new liver cells. Can Crime Scene Compound Stop Malaria? – Luminol, the glowing compound detectives spray at crime scenes to find trace amounts of blood, may one day be used to kill the malaria parasite. Anti-Smoking Bacteria Found to Eat Nicotine – Scientists discovered anti-smoking bacteria called Pseudomas putida that eat nicotine before it reaches the brain. How To Reach 'Extreme Old Age': Scientists Reveal the Secret of Living to 100 Years Old – There is a good chance centenarians and super-centenarians - those who live to 105 and longer - will pass on their 'long life' genes on to their children. Non-Magnetic Metals Turned Magnetic in Groundbreaking Research – A team of scientists led by the University of Leeds has been able to turn the non-magnetic materials manganese and copper magnetic. Study Offers First Genetic Analysis of People with Extremely High Intelligence – The first ever genetic analysis of people with extremely high intelligence has revealed small but important genetic differences between some of the brightest people in the United States and the general population. 3D Brain Map Reveals Connections Between Cells in Nano-Scale – Scientists have created an unprecedented high-resolution map of the brain that reveals structures as small as those found in individual nerve cells. Stem Cells Help Researchers Determine Toxicity of Pollution – The effects of BPA on mouse stem cells could be detected and measured in lab tests by researchers. MicroRNA-153 Regulates the Acquisition of Gliogenic Competence by Neural Stem Cells – This article shows that miR-mediated fine control of nuclear factor I A/B expression is important in the molecular networks that regulate the acquisition of gliogenic competence by neural stem/progenitor cells in the developing CNS. Activating Endogenous Neural Precursor Cells Using Metformin Leads to Neural Repair and Functional Recovery in a Model of Childhood Brain Injury – Metformin activates endogenous neural precursor cells in the neonatal brain. A Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Hemogenic Endothelium Reveals Differential Regulation of Hematopoiesis by SOX17 – This article states that proteomics accurately identifies regulatory proteins in hematopoietic progenitors. Genome Editing. The Mutagenic Chain Reaction: A Method For Converting Heterozygous To Homozygous Mutations – In this article, researchers developed a method called the mutagenic chain reaction, which is based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system for generating autocatalytic mutations, to produce homozygous loss-of-function mutations. Caution Urged over Editing DNA in Wildlife (Intentionally Or Not) – This article discusses the effects of rapid alteration of gene pools which could fight disease but can harm ecosystems. Automated, High-Throughput Derivation, Characterization And Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers demonstrate that automated reprogramming and the pooled selection of polyclonal pluripotent cells results in high-quality, stable induced pluripotent stem cells. Prediction Of Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Injury Mechanisms with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cells and Machine Learning Methods – This article describes how the researchers developed a rapid 1-step protocol for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into proximal tubular-like cells. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Chris Armstrong

Guest: For this episode, we bring on internationally recognized stem cell pioneer Dr. George Daley from Children’s Hospital Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to discuss all things stem cells. Resources and Links New Ebola Vaccine Has ‘100 Percent’ Effectiveness in Early Results – Researchers announced promising results of a new vaccine’s trial called Ebola ça Suffit — French for “Ebola that’s enough” funded by World Health Organization, in Guinea, one of several countries affected by a historic outbreak in West Africa. Synthetic Ribosome Can Keep Bacteria Alive – According to this article, scientists have engineered a tethered ribosome that works nearly as well as the real thing—an organelle that produces all the proteins and enzymes within the cell. Anxiety and Depression Caused By Stress Linked to Gut Bacteria Living in Intestines, Scientists Find – Anxious and depressive behavior brought on by exposure to stress in early life appears only to be triggered if microbes are present in the gut. Scientists Have Discovered the Taste of Fat and Say It Could Hold the Key to Tackling Obesity – Scientists describe the taste of fat as a unique and unpleasant taste called oleogustus, and suggest that its identification could lead to new ways of fighting obesity and heart disease, and to the creation of improved fat replacements. Study Shows Glitazone Antidiabetic Drug May Reduce Risk of Parkinson’s Disease – Researchers found that diabetes patients taking glitazone antidiabetes drugs (either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) had a 28% lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease than people taking other treatments for diabetes who had never taken glitazones. Long-term Memories Are Maintained by Prion-like Proteins – Research from Eric Kandel’s lab at Columbia University Medical Center reveals that different prions are critical for the long-term storage of memories. Astronomers Spot Black Hole So big, It Defies Current Theories of Galaxy Evolution – This article describes the discovery of a galaxy called CID-947 with a black hole that makes up 10% of its mass has left scientists dumbfounded, possibly overturning current theories of how galaxies evolve. Physicists Confirm Existence of Rare Pentaquarks – Professors Sheldon Stone and Tomasz Skwarnicki, doctoral student Nathan Jurik and former University research associate Liming Zhang are on the team that has confirmed the existence of two rare pentaquark states. Should Aborted Foetuses Be Used for Stem Cell Research? –Recent incident where US company Planned Parenthood was found to be offering foetal tissue to buyers without the parents’ knowledge has raised serious ethical questions around the use of foetuses in stem cell research. Four Stem-Cell Stocks With Promise – Reni Benjamin, a biotech analyst at Raymond James Financial shared four stem cell stocks that has upside potential in the second half of the year. From Dish to Bedside: Lessons Learned While Translating Findings from a Stem Cell Model of Disease to a Clinical Trial – Scientists share lessons while taking a discovery made using iPSCs into a clinical trial. Scientists Create Functional Liver Cells from Stem Cells – Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Alexander Grass Center for Bioengineering report that they produced large amounts of functional liver cells from human embryonic and genetic engineered stem cells. Researchers Create Model of Early Human Heart Development from Stem Cells – UC Berkeley researchers, in collaboration with scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, have developed a template for growing beating cardiac tissue from stem cells, creating a system that could serve as a model for early heart development and as a drug-screening tool to make pregnancies safer. Stem Cells Could Treat Mitochondrial Disease – Researchers generated human stem cells in the lab, repaired common mitochondrial defects, and reported they were able to rescue cell function.