![[STEMBOOK]: Targeting a blood stem cell subset shows lasting, therapeutically relevant gene editing, STEMCELLS](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/2019.07.31%20Targeting%20a%20blood%20stem%20cell%20subset%20shows%20lasting%2C%20therapeutically%20relevant%20gene%20editing_0.jpg?itok=2cZjEkiG "This is a microscopy image of blood stem cells that will go through CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in a lab dish. (Credit: Kiem lab / Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)")
Seattle, WA, USA – In a paper published in the July 31 issue of Science Translational Medicine, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit long-lived blood stem cells to reverse the clinical symptoms observed with several blood disorders, including sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.
Birmingham, AL, USA – Bone marrow contains biological factories, which pump out billions of new blood cells daily. The non-blood cells that maintain this production also have the potential to produce bone, fat and cartilage. This output all starts from stem cells that have the ability to differentiate into various types of cells.
Yokohama, Japan – Japanese scientists have developed an efficient method of successfully generating hair growth in nude mice. The new method can be scaled up and therefore shows great potential for clinical applications in human hair regenerative therapy. Their findings were published on May 9, 2019 in Biomaterials.
In a paper published today in Nature Communications, the scientists have identified a new type of cell called a hepatobiliary hybrid progenitor (HHyP), that forms during our early development in the womb. Surprisingly, HHyP also persists in small quantities in adults and these cells can grow into the two main cell types of the adult liver (Hepatocytes and Cholangiocytes) giving HHyPs stem cell-like properties.
Cologne, Germany – Molecular mechanics in the skin of mice are driven by polarity genes as discovered by a team led at the Cluster of Excellence CECAD . The polarity protein Par3 has functions that are conserved from worms and flies to mammals. It also plays an important role in skin homeostasis and regulates barrier, adhesion and cell division orientation. The new study by a team around Sandra Iden about how polarity regulators control cellular mechanics in the skin was now published in Nature Communications.
Minneapolis, MN, USA – New University of Minnesota Medical School research is the first to show that estrogen is essential to maintaining muscle stem cell health. In an article recently published in Cell Reports, lead authors Dawn Lowe and Carrie Ramey/CCRF are the first to establish that estrogen is essential in females for muscle stem cell maintenance and function.
![[STEMBOOK]: Making cancer stem cells visible to the immune system - New results may enable innovative treatment concept against leukemia](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/2019.07.1%20Making%20cancer%20stem%20cells%20visible%20to%20the%20immune%20system%20-%20New%20results%20may%20enable%20innovative%20treatment%20concept%20against%20leukemia.jpg?itok=MY0GIh5M "NK cells (red) attack normal leukemia cells (green). Leukemia stem cells (blue), on the other hand, suppress NKG2DL expression at their surface and thus escape destruction by the immune system. © Schürch/Lengerke, University and University Hospital of Basel")
Heidelberg, Germany – Leukemia stem cells protect themselves against the immune defense by suppressing a target molecule for killer cells. This protective mechanism can be tricked with drugs. In the journal Nature, scientists from Basel, Tübingen and Heidelberg describe the new therapeutic approaches that can possibly be derived from these results. A joint press release of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), and the University Hospital Tübingen.
![[STEMBOOK] Repair of aged tissue can be enhanced by inhibiting signals from neighbouring cells](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/Re%C2%ADpair%20of%20aged%20tis%C2%ADsue%20can%20be%20en%C2%ADhanced%20by%20in%C2%ADhib%C2%ADit%C2%ADing%20sig%C2%ADnals%20from%20neigh%C2%ADbour%C2%ADing%20cells.jpg?itok=U7NjRZLi "Intestinal organoid captures interactions between stem cells and neighbouring Paneth cells (red), (Credit: Nelle Pentinmikko)"){kind=small}
Helsinki, Finland – Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered how regenerative capacity of intestinal epithelium declines when we age. Targeting of an enzyme that inhibits stem cell maintaining signaling rejuvenates the regenerative potential of an aged intestine. This finding may open ways to alleviate age-related gastrointestinal problems, reduce side-effects of cancer treatments, and reduce healthcare costs in the ageing society by promoting recovery. The article was published in Nature.
![[STEMBOOK] World first: Homing instinct applied to stem cells show cells 'home' to cardiac tissue](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/2019.07.03%20World%20first%20Homing%20instinct%20applied%20to%20stem%20cells%20show%20cells%20%27home%27%20to%20cardiac%20tissue.jpg?itok=dUOKn1vP "Human mesenchymal stems exhibit green fluorescence after being 'painted' by the designer protein. (Credits: University of Bristol)")
Bristol, UK – In a world first, scientists have found a new way to direct stem cells to heart tissue. The findings, led by researchers at the University of Bristol and published in Chemical Science, could radically improve the treatment for cardiovascular disease, which causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK (1). To date, trials using stem cells, which are taken and grown from the patient or donor and injected into the patient's heart to regenerate damaged tissue, have produced promising results.
Storrs, CT, USA – A new technology discovered by a team including UConn School of Dental Medicine researchers records cellular communication in real time – providing a closer look into the dynamics of cell secretion and a greater understanding of how cells repair tissue.
