Scientists want to halt gene editing in humans

A breakthrough gene-editing process developed in 2012 could potentially be used to eradicate genetic diseases in humans—or make a person more intelligent or attractive. The Crispr-Cas9 or “DNA scissors” technique involves making DNA-altering changes to sperm, eggs, or embryos that could then be inherited by future generations.

For example, negative mutations could be replaced with “corrected” DNA strings, Bloomberg reports. The technique is relatively easy for anyone who knows about molecular biology, and it’s already …

Scientists grow ‘mini-lungs’ to aid study of cystic fibrosis

I saw this on Science Daily: March 19, 2015

Summary:
‘Mini-lungs’ have been created by researchers using stem cells derived from skin cells of patients with cystic fibrosis, and have shown that these can be used to test potential new drugs for this debilitating lung disease.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have successfully created ‘mini-lungs’ using stem cells derived from skin cells of patients with cystic fibrosis, and have shown that these can be …

Immune system-in-a-dish offers hope for ‘bubble boy disease’

I saw this on Science Daily:March 12, 2015

Summary:
Researchers have been able to grow patient-derived, healthy cells in the lab, coming a step closer to treating fatal blood disorders. “This work demonstrates a new method that could lead to a more effective and less invasive treatment for this devastating disease,” says the study’s senior author. “It also has the potential to lay the foundation to cure other deadly and rare blood disorders.”

For infants …

A Single-Cell Breakthrough: newly developed technology dissects properties of single stem cells

I saw this on Science Daily:March 17, 2015

Summary:
Researchers figure out a way to isolate and grow thousands elusive intestinal stem cells at one time, a high throughput technological advance that could give scientists the ability to study stem cell biology gastrointestinal disorders like never before.

e human gut is a remarkable thing. Every week the intestines regenerate a new lining, sloughing off the equivalent surface area of a studio apartment and refurbishing it …

Neurons controlling appetite made from skin cells

As seen in Science Daily February 27, 2015

Researchers have for the first time successfully converted adult human skin cells into neurons of the type that regulate appetite, providing a patient-specific model for studying the neurophysiology of weight control and testing new therapies for obesity. The study, led by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and at the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), was published last month in the online issue of the …

New cells may help treat diabetes

As seen in Science Daily January 28, 2015

Starting from human skin cells, researchers at the University of Iowa have created human insulin-producing cells that respond to glucose and correct blood-sugar levels in diabetic mice. The findings may represent a first step toward developing patient-specific cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes.

In the new study, published Jan. 28 in the journal PLOS ONE, the UI team led by Nicholas Zavazava, MD, PhD, UI professor …

Wisdom teeth stem cells can transform into cells that could treat corneal scarring

As seen in Science Daily 2/23/15

Stem cells from the dental pulp of wisdom teeth can be coaxed to become cells of the eye’s cornea and could one day be used to repair corneal scarring due to infection or injury, according to researchers. The findings indicate they also could become a new source of corneal transplant tissue made from the patient’s own cells

Corneal blindness, which affects millions of people worldwide, is typically treated with …