Cell Biology news from FierceBioResearcher

Scientists in Scotland say that they have identified a chemical group that can protect the p53 gene, a guardian against cancer tumors which is damaged or turned off in most cancer cases. They believe Read more...

In what is shaping up as one of the toughest rehab jobs in science, disgraced Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk is logging long hours in his new lab. Hwang was accused of one of the biggest frauds in scientific history when he claimed in 2005 to have cloned human embryos and developed embryonic stem cells from them. Hwang apologized for the scam but insisted that he should be …

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The UK's Intercytex has unveiled new early-stage data that supports its contention that an experimental artificial skin can reduce scarring. ICX-SKN is based on proteins found in wounds undergoing the healing process. Researchers have added fibroblasts to manufacture tissue that closely replicates the body's mechanism for developing new skin. The lab-made tissue was fully integrated in volunteers in 28 days. Squares of skin were cut from the bodies of six volunteers and replaced with the …

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Pointing the way to the development of customized blood vessel grafts for heart and kidney disease, researchers have taken stem cells from muscle tissue to make the blood vessel grafts in rats. The stem cells were allowed to develop on elastic tubes within days of extraction. The researchers were able to seed millions of the stem cells on a tube that was 1.2 mm in diameter. Gaining direction from surrounding tissue on blood pressure and other physical traits, the stem cells formed a …

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A research team at Hebrew University on Jerusalem has developed a drug that mimics the activity of the hormone aMSH, which spurs the feeling of fullness. The hormone binds to a receptor in the brain that sends out the signal to the body that it is full. The researchers, led by a grad student, developed a synthetic peptide called BL-3020 that was able to enter the bloodstream, make its way to the receptor and emit the 'full' signal. Testing the therapy on mice over 24 hours, researchers …

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In another example of the effectiveness of stem cells in crafting new tissue, an Italian doctor has successfully used the approach to create healthy vaginal tissue in two women suffering from a rare congenital condition. Dr. Cinzia Marchese said that the first woman was operated on a year ago and now has healthy vaginal tissue where there was none before. The second operation occurred just days ago, with the physician saying that it appeared that the stem cells were growing into new …

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A team of British scientists say they can develop a stem cell therapy that will cure blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration within five years. They will use embryonic stem cells to repair damaged retinas. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, with some 14 million suffering blindness in Europe as a result of the disease. The London Project to Cure AMD says it has obtained a £4 million donation to recruit leading researchers in the field. And …

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After a huge outcry from scientists and patient groups, the U.K. has proposed legislation allowing the development of human/animal chimera embryos for research. Public Health had proposed banning the chimeras, triggering an outburst from critics who maintain the embryos are crucial for research into Parkinson's and other maladies. The animal/human embryos can be used in place of human eggs, which are often difficult to come by. The substitute is made by removing an animal cell nucleus and …

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Geron stock got a big boost just days ago when researchers announced that they had coaxed embryonic stem cells into clusters that produced insulin in response to elevated levels of glucose. The work points to a potential cure for Type 1 diabetes, which had investors cheering up its stock by about 10 percent. Some analysts note that the company has been the subject of a considerable amount of press attention, which hasn't hurt its stock price.

"These studies show that the islet-like …

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A pair of scientists at the University of Oklahoma say they have developed a fusion protein that can prevent the spread of cancer. The fusion protein blocks cancer cells from ingesting methionine, a protein they need to develop. The researchers have developed a mechanism that delivers the compound directly to cancer cells, avoiding any damage to healthy cells. The research fits into a broad range of programs looking to develop new ways to deliver cancer therapies without harming healthy …

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