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A cell’s ‘cap’ of bundled fibers could yield clues to disease
Posted by wideant in Biotechnology on March 12, 2010
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Engineering in Oncology Center have shown that in healthy cells, a bundled “cap” of thread-like fibers holds the cell’s nucleus, its genetic storehouse, in its proper place. Understanding this cap’s influence on cell and nuclear shape, the researchers say, could provide clues to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, muscular dystrophy and the age-accelerating condition known as progeria.
“Under a microscope, the nucleus of a sick cell appears to bulge toward the top, while the nucleus of a healthy cell appears as a flattened disk that clings to the base,” said principal investigator Denis Wirtz, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and director of the Engineering in Oncology Center. “If we can figure out how and why this shape-changing occurs, we may learn how to detect, treat or perhaps even prevent some serious medical disorders.” Read the rest of this entry »
Scientists create blood vessel cells from stem cells
Posted by wideant in Biotechnology on January 30, 2010
A study from New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) defined conditions for generating a plentiful supply of endothelial (vessel lining) cells that are suitable for therapeutic use. Dr. James and his colleagues created a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) “reporter” line that can be used to measure endothelial cell production and activity.
Dr. James and his colleagues were able to monitor the emergence of endothelial cells in live cultures using the reporter line and screen for small bioactive molecules that increased their yield. they were able to indentify a compound that robustly increased the amount of endothelial cells produced. These cells can now be routinely and economically produced on scales that make pre-clinical assessment of their efficacy practical in large animal models of vascular disease. These findings bring us closer to having functional endothelial cells available for studying vascular disease. Read the rest of this entry »