Cell Biology

Researchers flag new cancer therapy that guards p53

Tue, 06 May 2008 06:59:59 -0400

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 that the chemicals, tenovins, can be developed into new therapies that will protect the p53 gene, thwarting tumor development. Tenovins work by halting enzymes that mark p53 for destruction. Some cancer therapies activate p53 through DNA damage. But a new therapy that protects p53 without damaging DNA could be not only more effective but safer for patients.

"This program has successfully combined skills in cell and cancer biology, biochemistry, genetics and chemistry to deliver compounds of genuine therapeutic interest," said lead author Dr. Nick Westwood from the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews.

- read the release

Disgraced scientist back at work on cloned embryos

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 allowed to go on with his work. He appears to be doing just that, after he and 30 loyal researchers made the switch from the university to a private lab outside of Seoul. Some experts like Dr. Curt Civin at Johns Hopkins say he just might pull it off--even though his work is likely to get a tremendous amount of scrutiny.

One researcher at the lab says that they have taken stem cells from cloned animal embryos. They believe that they are ready to do the same for human embryos.

- here's the article from The Washington Post

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Early trial backs use of artificial skin tissue

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 artificial tissue in the trial.

- read the Cosmetics Design report

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Stem cells used to build new blood vessels

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 mature artery. One distinct plus: these grafts did not develop deadly clots that sometimes occur in other grafts. David Vorp at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine says he will next attempt to replicate these results in pigs, which bear a closer physical resemblance to humans.

- read this report on the stem cell research from The Age

New drug controls body's signals for eating

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 noted a reduction in eating. Over a 12-day period, the mice dropped to a weight that was 40 percent below normal. Israel's Bioline RX bought the development rights.

- read the report from Scenta

ALSO: A new study indicates that mutations in the gene known as brain specific homeobox transcription factor might explain why some people fidget less and put on more weight. German engineers developed a mouse model without the Bsx factor and found they had accumulated more weight than normal mice over a period of three months. Report

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British team targets stem cell cure for AMD

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 scientists at University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and the University of Sheffield say they will lead the project.

"Given AMD could affect up to one third of the population by 2070, and that the bulk of these will have dry AMD, the potential to create a treatment strategy for this condition is critical and may have a major impact on vision loss in the community," says Dr. Lyndon Da Cruz.

- read the article on the project from The Telegraph

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Doctor creates vaginal tissue with stem cells

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 mucosal tissue. The two women suffer from Mayer-Von Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome. In the procedure, a biopsy is taken from the tissue where the vagina should be and that material is then broken down by an enzyme, allowing it to then grow into the mucosal tissue. Dr. Marchese has studied a similar approach to treating burn victims at Harvard Medical School.

- read the report on the stem cell project from DNA India

Related Article:
New type of cells developed for tissue repair. Report

Human/animal chimeras get a reprieve in the U.K.

Mon, 21 May 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 replacing it with the nucleus of a skin cell from a patient with a disease being studied. The hybrid is used to create embryonic stem cells for research. Under law, the chimeras would not be allowed to grow beyond 14 days and then would have to be discarded.

- here's the report from The Independent

Geron reports breakthrough in stem cell research

Mon, 21 May 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 clusters contain the major cellular components of islets and are sensitive to glucose, the key sugar to which they must respond to be therapeutically beneficial," stated Anish Majumdar, Ph.D., the senior author of the paper. "Our major goal moving forward is to improve the purity, yield and maturational status of these cells to induce normoglycemia in animal models of diabetes."

- here's the report on Geron's work from TheStreet.com

Oklahoma professors unveil new approach to cancer therapy

Mon, 14 May 2007 20:01:39 -0400

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 cells, avoiding harsh side effects linked to chemotherapy. While the professors say they have started with breast cancer research, the same approach should work in a broad array of solid tumor cancers. They expect to conduct another round of animal tests before entering the clinic.

- here's the AP report on the cancer program