The Stem Cell Podcast

Guest: Neuroscientist and stem cell pioneer Dr. Fred “Rusty” Gage, a professor at the Salk Institute where he discusses past, present, and future work of stem cells and neurogenesis. Resources and Links Too Much of a Bad Thing Can Be Good in Brain Tumors – DNA mutations can cause cancer but in some cases, more mutations may mean a better prognosis for patients like the one subtype of the most malignant brain tumor, called glioblastoma, or GBM. Turbo-charging Hormone May Help Regrow the Heart, Animal Study Shows – Researchers at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute discovered how to stimulate muscle regrowth in the heart of a mouse, which could be particularly important in looking at new treatments for those who suffer future heart attacks. Aluminum Battery from Stanford Offers Safe Alternative to Conventional Batteries – Stanford University scientists have invented the first high-performance aluminum battery that’s fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive that could replace many of the lithium-ion and alkaline batteries in wide use today. Blackpoll Warblers Migrate Thousands of Miles across Atlantic Ocean, Scientists Find – A team of ornithologists led by William DeLuca of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, reports the first direct evidence that the blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata), relatively small songbirds, completes an autumn trans-Atlantic migration ranging from 2,270 to 2,770 km (1,410 to 1,721 miles) and requiring two to three days of non-stop flight. Africa: Biodiversity Damage Mapped By Global Land-Use Study – Study concluded that, if human impacts continue to grow as they have been, future losses in biodiversity will be concentrated in biodiverse but economically poor countries. Blown-Up Brains Reveal Nanoscale Details – A study showed that material used in diaper absorbant can make brain tissue bigger and enable ordinary microscopes to resolve features down to 60 nanometers; this technique is called expansion microscopy. Repurposed Experimental Cancer Drug Restores Brain Function in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease – Scientists have found that saracatinib, a compound originally developed as a cancer therapy potentially could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Stemming Genetic Changes in Cultured Cells – Researchers have found that the fewest genetic changes arise in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that are grown on a substrate layer of “feeder cells”—non-dividing cells that provide nutrients and help ESCs attach to their culture dishes—and passaged mechanically, that is, broken into clumps before being moved into new vessels. Study: Saccharin Shows Promise as Cancer Inhibitor – The artificial sweetener saccharin shows considerable promise for its ability to inhibit an enzyme upregulated in many cancers, helping tumor cells survive and metastasize. Researchers May Have Solved Origin-of-Life Conundrum – Chemists report that a pair of simple compounds called acetylene and formaldehyde, which would have been abundant on early Earth, can give rise to a network of simple reactions that produce the three major classes of biomolecules—nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids—needed for the earliest form of life to get its start. Malaria Parasite Attracts Mosquitoes with Perfume – This article reveals that Plasmodium—the malaria parasite manufactures alluring odor molecules, called terpenes using a chloroplast-like organelle that attract mosquitoes. Why Is the Scientific World Abuzz about an Unpublished Paper? Because It Could Permanently Change Human DNA – Scientists around the world are anticipating the results of a Chinese study that would mark the first time DNA in a human embryo has been modified in a way that would carry into future generations. Meat Grown in a Laboratory Soon to Become Commercially Viable, Says Scientist – Meat grown in a laboratory will become commercially viable in the next decade according to the scientist who grew the world’s first stem cell burger. New RIKEN Chief Pledges to Restore Public Faith in Japanese Lab System – Hiroshi Matsumoto, the new president of RIKEN – Japan’s network of labs, pledged to follow through on his predecessor’s plans for addressing shortcomings that created an environment for research misconduct. Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs Draws Support, Detractors – This article describes the stem cell treatment for dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis. Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Trends: Complementation and Diversification of the Field – Research in human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells are increasingly being used in more independent research and application areas with the former still being used as a “gold standard,” but in a declining proportion of publications. Plucking Hairs in Dense Pattern Can Prompt Hair Regrowth – A new research reveals that plucking (that requires technique) will initiate “signals” to follicles to grow hair. Stem Cells Lurking in Tumors Can Resist Treatment – A mouse study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, shows that slow-growing tumors also have treatment-resistant stem cells prompting worries among medical experts. Early Reprogramming Regulators Identified by Prospective Isolation and Mass Cytometry – Single-cell mass cytometry and prospective isolation show that distinct intermediates are transient and bridge the gap between donor cell silencing and pluripotency marker acquisition during the early, presumably stochastic, reprogramming phase. Emergence of a Stage-Dependent Human Liver Disease Signature with Directed Differentiation of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin-Deficient iPS Cells – Scientists develop a bioinformatic approach to detect differences between the genomic programs of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from diseased versus normal human cohorts as they emerge during in vitro directed differentiation. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Gage Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Eirini Papapetrou, an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai where she discusses her work and latest paper on using stem cells to model blood diseases containing a chromosomal deletion. Resources and Links Sushi Parasite Inspires Worm Test for Cancer – Japanese researchers have discovered that Caenorhabditis elegans worms can detect cancer in people’s urine. New Genetic Variant that Causes Autism Identified by Johns Hopkins-Led Team – A Johns Hopkins-led team of researchers has identified a new genetic cause of the disorder using a novel approach that focuses on rare families severely affected by autism. Bad Gene Cripples Flu Defenses – This article describes how a girl nearly died from flu because of mutated genes. High-Fat Diet Alters Behavior and Produces Signs of Brain Inflammation – There is a great possibility that a high-fat diet produces changes in health and behavior, in part, by changing the mix of bacteria in the gut, also known as the gut microbiome. NASA’s Opportunity Rover Just Completed an 11-Year Marathon on Mars – NASA confirmed this week that the six-wheeled robot has now traveled more than 26.219 miles in eleven years and two months. Apple’s New ResearchKit: ‘Ethics Quagmire’ or Medical Research Aid? – Apple’s ResearchKit is designed to let medical researchers create iPhone apps for their studies that will help them recruit participants — without said participants ever setting foot in the lab. Woolly Mammoth DNA Inserted into Elephant Cells – This article describes the attempt of scientists to bring extinct species back from the grave through a process known as de-extinction. Surprise Finding Heightens Concern over Tiny Bits of Plastic Polluting Our Oceans – A team of scientists’ accidental finding of plastic in the skin of both farmed and wild fish adds to already growing environmental and public health concerns about the plastic particles or microplastics pervading our oceans and waterways. Altering Brain Chemistry Makes Us More Sensitive to Inequality – Researchers find that giving a drug that changes the neurochemical balance in the prefrontal cortex of the brain causes a greater willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as ensuring that resources are divided more equally. Engineering the Perfect Baby – A group of scientists try to edit the DNA of human germ line to correct disease genes and to pass those genetic fixes on to future generations. Don’t Edit the Human Germ Line – Heritable human genetic modifications pose serious risks, and the therapeutic benefits are tenuous, warn Edward Lanphier, Fyodor Urnov and colleagues. Industry Body Calls for Gene Editing Moratorium – Gene-editing companies say research on altering the DNA of human reproductive cells is dangerous and unethical. A Prudent Path Forward for Genomic Engineering and Germline Gene Modification – Scientists suggests that a framework for open discourse on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to manipulate the human genome is urgently needed. Scientists Call for a Summit on Gene-Edited Babies – A group of senior American scientists and ethics experts are calling for a debate on the gene-engineering of humans, warning that technology able to change the DNA of future generations is now “imminent.” The ISSCR Statement on Human Germline Genome Modification – The International Society for Stem Cell Research calls for a moratorium on attempts at clinical application of nuclear genome editing of the human germ line. Double-Blind Peer Review – Nature Biotechnology, together with Nature and its sister journals, is now offering anonymity to authors during the peer-review process. Celebs’ Stem Cell Facial Treatments Include Sheep Placenta, Others Get Human Cells – Celebrities pay hundreds of dollars to have a sheep placenta facial or known as collagen treatment wherein the placenta mush or stem cell fluid is smeared all over the face, and the skin is pricked so the cells can penetrate below the epidermis. Astrazeneca Buys into Harvard’s Stem Cell Tech for Diabetes R&D – Harvard professor Doug Melton and his team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute will use its technology for engineering insulin-producing beta cells to better understand how both types of diabetes develop. Scientists Coax Stem Cells to Form 3D ‘Mini-Lungs’ – Three-dimensional “mini-lungs” coaxed from stem cells and grown in a dish may offer insight into lung disease and could lead to the development of new drugs. UCSF Team Finds Key to Making Neurons from Stem Cells – This article describes how the research team at UC San Francisco discovered an RNA molecule called Pnky that can be manipulated to increase the production of neurons from neural stem cells. Elucidating Molecular Phenotypes Caused by the SORL1 Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Risk Factor Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells to examine genetic variation in the SORL1 gene and possible contributions to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease-related phenotypes in human neurons. Modeling the Early Phenotype at the Neuromuscular Junction of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Using Patient-Derived iPSCs – Researchers describe the results done by researchers who generated neuromuscular junction (NMJ) or NMJ-like structures using motor neurons derived from spinal muscular atrophy patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Integrated Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing of the Same Cell – This article shows the integrated sequencing approach using a quasilinear amplification strategy to quantify genomic DNA and mRNA from the same cell without physically separating the nucleic acids before amplification. Functional Analysis of a Chromosomal Deletion Associated with Myelodysplastic Syndromes Using Isogenic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – Scientists use cellular reprogramming and genome engineering to functionally dissect the loss of chromosome 7q (del(7q)), a somatic cytogenetic abnormality present in myelodysplastic syndromes. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Papapetrou Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Frederick Alt, a leading geneticist from Harvard Medical School, reveals fascinating insights into gene editing. He discusses a novel method for detecting off-target effects, crucial for CRISPR's precision. The conversation also touches on groundbreaking studies linking autism genes to cognitive performance, and how memory manipulation in mice offers tantalizing possibilities. Alt emphasizes the importance of specificity in gene editing technologies and their implications for future biomedical research. A must-listen for anyone interested in genetic advancements!

Dr. Rhonda Newman, a staff scientist at Thermo Fisher, specializes in cryopreservation of pluripotent stem cells. In this engaging discussion, she reveals innovative strategies to 'de-stress' stem cells and tackle associated mutations. They dive into intriguing research showcasing the impact of vitamin A on blood cell formation and the surprising role of peanut exposure in reducing allergies in children. The episode also touches on the importance of dishwashing methods linked to childhood allergies and the ethical complexities of stem cell research.

Dr. Lorenz Studer, founding director of the Sloan Kettering Center for Stem Cell Biology, is a leading expert in using stem cells for neurological diseases. He discusses groundbreaking advancements in cell transplant therapy, particularly for Parkinson's disease, including the creation of CGMP HLA super donor stem cell lines. There's an exploration of the ethical challenges in patient selection and regulatory hurdles, along with exciting innovations like a self-adjusting 'smart' insulin for diabetes. Humility and cooperation in research also take center stage.

Dr. Christine Mummery, a leading expert in stem cell biology from Leiden University Medical Center, shares her insights on using pluripotent stem cells to combat heart disease. She discusses the innovative process of differentiating stem cells into cardiomyocytes and vascular cells. The conversation explores milestones in heart repair and the exciting prospects of regenerative medicine, including overcoming challenges in publication and advancing therapeutic applications. Mummery also highlights the rhythmic contractions of engineered heart tissue, merging science with a touch of humor.

Dr. David Piper, Director of R&D at Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses groundbreaking innovations in disease modeling, particularly for Parkinson's. He highlights the potential of iPS technology in drug screening and the challenges of consistent stem cell production. The conversation delves into the impact of alcohol and BPA on health, while emphasizing collaborations with the Parkinson's Institute to develop effective research tools. Piper also shares insights on genome editing techniques like CRISPR and innovative methodologies for studying complex diseases.

Dr. Maria Themeli, a postdoctoral fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shares her groundbreaking research on CAR T-cell therapies, where stem cells are transformed into cancer-hunting assassins. The conversation dives into the complexities and challenges of enhancing T-cell precision in targeting tumors. They also explore intriguing connections between cancer, random mutations, and the immune system's role, along with the impact of methamphetamine use on health. Insights into funding hurdles for early-career researchers add a personal touch to the scientific discussion.

Guest: On this episode it’s just me and Yosif talking about a variety of hot papers with topics ranging from F-Class stem cells, wolves are better at math than dogs, the NFL is hating on stem cell transplants, STAP author can’t replicate findings, and there are actual sparks when sperm meets egg. Resources and Links New Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Cures Lab Animals of Disease – A new treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity has been developed by researchers at Indiana University and the German Research Center for Environmental Health and has essentially cured lab animals of obesity, diabetes and associated lipid abnormalities through improved glucose sensitivity, and reduced appetite and enhanced calorie burning. Laughing Gas Studied as Depression Treatment – This article reveals a study conducted by researchers on nitrous oxide, the laughing gas, as a potential treatment for severe depression in patients whose symptoms don’t respond to standard therapies. Curcumin, Compound in Turmeric, Found to Impair Fear Memories and Ease PTSD Symptoms – Scientists have found that curcumin, the principal compound found in turmeric, can impair fear memories involved with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rosetta Spacecraft Suggests Asteroids, Not Comets, Birthed Earth’s Oceans – Asteroids, not comets, likely delivered Earth’s ancient oceans from space based on the study from the Rosetta Spacecraft, which is now in orbit around a comet that is a frozen relic from the dawn of the planets. Oldest Horned Dinosaur Species in North America Found in Montana: Hooked Beak, Sharply Pointed Cheeks Distinguishes Neoceratopsian Species – This article presents the naming of the first definite horned dinosaur species from the Early Cretaceous in North America specifically in Montana as Aquilops americanus, which exhibits definitive neoceratopsian features and is closely related to similar species in Asia. Scientists Make ‘Feel Full’ Chemical – Based on this article, scientists have created a chemical that can be added to food to make people feel full which will help people to eat less and slow down weight gain. Gut Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease: Connection Made – Scientists are trying to determine what is the connection between intestinal microbes and Parkinson’s disease because those who suffer from Parkinson’s have a different microbiota in their intestines than their healthy counterparts. An Evolutionary Battle Against Bacteria – This article suggests that treating infections from Haemophilus influenzae, one of the bacteria species that causes meningitis, will be more effective if scientists used the evolutionary history of transferrin as a guide for designing transferrin that the bacteria can’t attack. The Best Sign of Dark Matter Yet? X-ray Signals in Neighbouring Galaxies Could Be Emitted by One of the Universe’s Greatest Mysteries – Two groups of researchers have detected a signal that could prove the existence of dark matter based on their analysis of X-rays emitted by two celestial objects – the Perseus galaxy cluster and the Andromeda galaxy. How Birds Hear Without Ears – Researchers have determined how birds accurately determine the direction of a sound, even when they do not have the complex external ear structures that most mammals, humans included, boast. It’s Official! Men Are More Stupid than Women, Says British Medical Journal – A study of 20 years of the Darwin Awards – the annual accolade which recalls foolish ways in which people have died – has revealed that 90% of the awards have been ‘won’ by men. Testosterone Increases Colon Cancer Risk – This article shows the relationship of testosterone levels with colon tumor growth and that women are less likely than men to develop non-sex specific cancer of the colon, stomach or pancreas due to female hormones such as estrogen. Dog Brains Process Human Speech in the Same Way We Do – There is a common response between humans and dogs with human speech – communicating not only words but also tone. Sparks Really Do Fly When a New Life Is Created: Stunning Images Reveal Moment Egg Releases Billions of ‘Zinc Sparks’ as It Is Fertilized – Researchers have developed a special technique to capture the moment of fertilization, and found billions of zinc atoms are released thus causing sparks that literally fly when a sperm and an egg hit it off. Stunning Zinc Fireworks When Egg Meets Sperm – This article has a movie that shows hot spots of fluorescence at the cell surface demonstrating how groups of zinc-rich packages are released from the egg during fertilization, resulting in a zinc spark. Curiosity Finds Methane, Other Organics – This article states that NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected both methane in Mars’s atmosphere and carbon-bearing organic compounds in its rocks. Starving Female Mantises Eat Males Without Having Sex First – Researchers have discovered that starving females will sometimes trick males into thinking they’re full of eggs waiting to be fertilized… but then she eats him without letting him mate with her at all. Wolves Discriminate Quantities Better than Dogs – This article shows the studies conducted by scientists on how well dogs can discriminate between different quantities and discovered that wolves perform better than dogs at such tasks possibly because dogs lost this skill, or a predisposition for it, during domestication. Proteome Adaptation in Cell Reprogramming Proceeds via Distinct Transcriptional Networks – This article tries to characterize the reprogramming process of somatic cells into induced pluripotent cells by performing a quantitative mass spectrometry-based analysis to probe in-depth dynamic proteome changes during somatic cell reprogramming. Small RNA Changes En Route to Distinct Cellular States of Induced Pluripotency – Scientists investigate how microRNA expression changes support the transition to pluripotency and suggests that a novel subset of distinctly expressed miRNAs supports pluripotency in the F-class state, substituting for miRNAs that serve such roles in induced pluripotent stem cells. Genome-Wide Characterization of the Routes to Pluripotency – This article attempts to address the lack of a complete molecular characterization of the reprograming process by generating an extensive transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic data sets describing the reprogramming routes leading from mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced pluripotency. An Epigenomic Roadmap To Induced Pluripotency Reveals DNA Methylation As A Reprogramming Modulator – This article reveals the crucial role that DNA methylation plays as an epigenetic switch driving somatic cells to pluripotency. Divergent Reprogramming Routes Lead To Alternative Stem-Cell States – This article tries to explore alternative outcomes of somatic reprogramming by fully characterizing reprogrammed cells independent of preconceived definitions of iPSC states. The NFL Has a Problem with Stem Cell Treatments – In this article, professional athletes are getting stem cell treatments to speed up recovery from injury but some doctors say there’s only thin medical evidence they actually speed healing. Stem Cell Treatment to Repair Torn Meniscus ‘Very, Very Close’ – According to this article, scientists are very to offering patients the chance to regrow their own meniscus by using stem cells to regrow the torn cartilage. 7q11.23 Dosage-Dependent Dysregulation In Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Affects Transcriptional Programs In Disease-Relevant Lineages – In this article, characterization of the impact of human genetic variation on health and disease experimentally tractable is done by enabling the bridging of genotypes to phenotypes in developmentally relevant human cell lineages. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Marius Wernig, an Associate Professor at Stanford University and an acclaimed stem cell researcher, discusses his groundbreaking work using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for treating severe skin disorders. He reveals innovations in gene therapy that enhance skin repair, delves into the challenges of culturing stem cells, and emphasizes the potential of iPSCs for personalized treatments. The conversation touches on the future of skin gene therapy and contrasts it with the complexities of brain diseases, making for an engaging exploration of advancements in medical science.