Groundbreaking discovery: Skin cell DNA can be inserted into a human egg to develop an early-stage embryo. A breakthrough in embryonic stem cell research that could lead to people receiving transplants based on their own tissues has been both hailed by scientists, but received a cautious response from ethicists, who have warned it again raises big questions about when life begins. In a world first, a US team of scientists used a human skin cell to create a cloned human embryo from which they were able to extract embryonic stem cells. Published in the journal Cell, the discovery involves a technique known as therapeutic cloning. Skin cell DNA was inserted it into a human egg that developed into an early-stage embryo, or blastocyst. The scientists said the resulting stem cells had the potential to be turned into a variety of cell and tissue types for use in organ repair and transplants. Advertisement Dieter Egli, senior research fellow at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, was among those who described it as a significant step. He said that if embryonic stem cells could be made from adults like us, that would mean we could make replacements for any type … Continue reading →

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Stem Cell Research Article Date: 16 May 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for: Human Cloning Produces Embryonic Stem Cells Stem cells derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have the potential to transform into any cell type, such as bone or brain tissue cells. They can be used to treat and help understand a wide range of conditions and health problems. Stem cells come from two main sources: Experts are describing this latest achievement as one of the biggest breakthroughs in stem cell research since last year when Isreali scientistssuccessfully created the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that are free of animal contamination and whose production complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Lead author, Shoukhrat Mitalipov, PhD, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore., said: SCNT involves removing the nucleus of a donor cell and transferring it to an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. SCNT creates embryos which are nearly identical to those of the donor. In the past, creating identical cells in this manner has been a major challenge. Normally a female germ cell begins to divide when it has about 150 cells - at … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/k4d3lg/the_market_for) has announced the addition of the "The Market for Primary Cells & Stem Cell-Derived Cells: Current and Future Opportunities" report to their offering. This study of the academic and pharma/biotech sectors in North America and Europe provides an analysis of the market for primary cells and an assessment of the brand equity for the leading companies who serve this market. This report also describes the emerging market for stem cell-derived differentiated cells, a potential threat -or opportunity- for this market. This study explores the following market analytics: - The number of researchers who currently or plan to use primary cells in their research - Proportion of researchers/labs who purchase primary cells - Annual lab budget associated with primary cell purchase - Market size, in terms of revenue, based on 2012 - Supplier share in terms of revenue - Market growth in terms of revenue in the next 12 months (through 2013) Go here to read the rest: Research and Markets: The Market for Primary Cells & Stem Cell-Derived Cells: Current and Future Opportunities … Continue reading →

US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embyronic stem cells for the first time. The method described by Oregon State University scientists on Wednesday in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create human clones, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, senior scientist at the Oregon National Primate Research Centre. But it is an important step in research because it does not require the use of embryos in creating the type of stem cell capable of transforming into any other type of cell in the body. The technique involves transplanting an individual's DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer. 'A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells,' said Mitalipov. He added that since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection. 'While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe … Continue reading →

A breakthrough in stem cell research could pave the way for new medical treatments A team of scientists have successfully cloned human embryos that can produce stem cells, a major breakthrough that could lead to new medical treatments and, potentially, human cloning. Scientists from Oregon Health and Science University, reporting their finding Wednesday in the journal Cell, said they had taken a baby's skin cells and combined them with human eggs. The result? Human embryos genetically identical to the original baby that, crucially, were able to produce fresh stem cells. SEE MORE: The eurozone's longest recession ever: By the numbers The process, known as a somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), involves taking the nucleus of one cell and implanting it into an unfertilized egg that has had its nucleus removed. "The egg 'reprograms' the DNA in the donor cell to an embryonic state and divides until it has reached the early, blastocyst stage," explains Nature's David Cyranoski. "The cells are then harvested and cultured to create a stable cell line that is genetically matched to the donor and that can become almost any cell type in the human body." SEE MORE: Anthony Weiner is still maybe running for mayor of New … Continue reading →

US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embyronic stem cells for the first time. The method described Wednesday by Oregon State University scientists in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create human clones, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, senior scientist at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. But it is an important step in research because it does not require the use of embryos in creating the type of stem cell capable of transforming into any other type of cell in the body. The technique involves transplanting an individual's DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer. "A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells," said Mitalipov. He added that since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection. "While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe this … Continue reading →

US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embyronic stem cells for the first time. The method described Wednesday by Oregon State University scientists in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create human clones, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, senior scientist at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. But it is an important step in research because it does not require the use of embryos in creating the type of stem cell capable of transforming into any other type of cell in the body. The technique involves transplanting an individual's DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer. "A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells," said Mitalipov. He added that since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection. "While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe this … Continue reading →