Ways to achieve a peaceful co-existence with genomic parasites

Transposable elements are mobile genetic elements that can relocate within the genome and disrupt the normal function of genes, but are at the same time a source of evolutionary diversity. The lab of Tugce Aktas at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics has identified a novel pathway that keeps the activity of transposons in somatic cells in check after they have been transcribed. Their findings have now been published in Nature. The work is a collaboration with the labs of Zachary D. Smith (Yale Stem Cell Center, USA) and Franz-Josef Müller (Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Wege zur friedlichen Koexistenz mit genomischen Parasiten

Transposons sind mobile genetische Elemente, die sich innerhalb des Genoms bewegen und die normale Funktion von Genen stören können, gleichzeitig aber auch eine Quelle evolutionärer Vielfalt sind. Das Labor von Tugce Aktas am Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik hat einen neuen Mechanismus identifiziert, der die Aktivität von Transposons in somatischen Zellen nach ihrer Transkription kontrolliert. Ihre Ergebnisse wurden jetzt in der Fachzeitschrift Nature veröffentlicht. Die Arbeit entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit den Labors von Zachary D. Smith (Yale Stem Cell Center, USA) und Franz-Josef Müller (Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Deutschland).

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Aktueller Themenband zu Gen- und Zelltherapien der AG Gentechnologiebericht

Die Arbeitsgruppe Gentechnologiebericht am Berlin Institute of Health in der Charité (BIH) hat eine aktuelle Übersicht zu Gen- und Zelltherapien herausgegeben. Die umfangreiche Publikation, die in Kooperation mit der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gentherapie (DG-GT) und dem German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) entstanden ist, richtet sich an ein breites Publikum. Der Bedarf an sachkundigen Informationen über Entwicklungen der Gentechnologie ist groß. Hierbei sind Transparenz und ein verantwortungsvoller Umgang mit neuen Technologien unbedingt erforderlich.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

The gut microbiome prevents dangerous immune reactions

After stem cell transplantation, the donated immune cells sometimes attack the patients‘ bodies. This is known as graft versus host disease or GvHD. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Universitätsklinikum Regensburg (UKR) have shown that GvHD is much less common when certain microbes are present in the gut. In the future, it may be possible to deliberately bring about this protective composition of the microbiome.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Research Grants Endowed with €240,000

The application period for the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant 2024 began on August 1, 2023. With this grant, the foundation DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden supports up to four outstanding research projects in the field of stem cell transplantation or cell therapy each year. A stem cell transplant saves the lives of many blood cancer patients. However, relapses and severe complications continue to pose major challenges. The grant is intended to promote excellent science in this field. The application deadline is November 30, 2023.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Successful cure of HIV infection after stem cell transplantation

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of severe blood cancers is the only medical intervention that has cured two people living with HIV in the past. An international group of physicians and researchers from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and the United States has now identified another case in which HIV infection has been shown to be cured in the same way. In a study published this week in Nature Medicine, in which DZIF scientists from Hamburg and Cologne played a leading role, the successful healing process of this third patient was for the first time characterised in great detail virologically and immunologically over a time span of ten years.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Germany-wide clinical trial challenges international standard of care

Prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), complete remission is currently still considered the gold standard of care. A Germany-wide clinical trial now shows for the first time that this approach does not benefit disease-free survival or overall survival. An alternative approach of sequential conditioning followed by immediate stem cell transplantation may reduce side effects and shorten hospital stays.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

BioRescue produces primordial germ cells from northern white rhino stem cells – a world’s first for large mammals

In its race to advance assisted reproduction and stem cell associated technologies to save the northern white rhinoceros from extinction, the BioRescue consortium announces a major breakthrough: the creation of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLSs) from induced pluripotent stem cells of the northern white rhino Nabire. This milestone was led by specialists from Osaka University, Japan, and has never been achieved in large mammals before. Now there is one last step to master for the production of artificial rhino gametes (eggs and sperm) from preserved tissue.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

More than microscopes can show

Computer simulations visualize how an essential stem cell protein opens wrapped DNA

A key protein for converting adult stem cells into cells that resemble embryonic stem cells has been visualized in unprecedented detail by an international team of researchers around Hans Schöler and Vlad Cojocaru of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Münster. By combing experiments and computer simulations, the team visualized how the Oct4 protein binds and opens short pieces of DNA while wrapped around nuclear storage proteins (histones), just like in our genome. The results were published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research on September 22.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Research grants endowed with €240,000 each

Scientists with a research focus on stem cell transplantation and cell therapy are invited to apply for the 2023 DKMS John Hansen Research Grant starting August 10, 2022. With this grant, the DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden (Foundation for Giving Life) supports up to four outstanding research projects each year that aim to advance the medical progress and improve the chances of recovery for blood cancer patients. The requirements include a doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) that was obtained no longer than 10 years ago. The grants are endowed with €240,000 each, which will be paid out over a period of three years. The application deadline is December 2, 2022.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

New Stem Cell Mechanism in Your Gut

Stem cells are a hot topic for creating medical treatments. However, scientists still do not fully understand how they choose to divide or differentiate to renew organs. Researchers have now found a new biophysical mechanism that regulates stem cells in the intestines of mice. There, a stem cell is not purely defined by intrinsic molecular markers but also by their location and movements in their environment. This could have implications for possible new treatments.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

EBiSC2 and FAIRplus are improving FAIRness of stem cell data

The FAIRplus and EBiSC2 projects are joining forces to improve how ‘FAIR’ standards (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) can be applied to human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) line data. The joint effort will improve how iPSC line data can be made more findable, standardized and reusable for researchers.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Double agents: How stomach stem cells change allegiance upon injury

A stomach adult stem cell population can fulfill two distinct functions: either help with digestion under normal conditions or take the lead on injury response. Scientists at IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, demonstrate that these functions are two sides of a coin. Upon injury, one “molecular switch” is enough to propel the stem cells from one state to the other. The findings, now published in Cell Stem Cell, could be instrumental in improving our understanding of gastric pathologies.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Comprehensive map of human blood stem cell development

Scientists have created a new roadmap that traces each step in the development of blood stem cells in the human embryo, providing scientists with a blueprint for producing fully functional blood stem cells in the lab. The research could help expand treatment options for blood cancers like leukemia and inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Study finds 10-second videos predict blood cancer relapse

Ten-second videos of white blood cell motion in the skin’s microvasculature greatly improved the prediction of which stem cell and bone marrow transplant patients would have a relapse of their blood cancer.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Researchers identify key regulator of blood stem cell development

A protein that masterminds the way DNA is wrapped within chromosomes has a major role in the healthy functioning of blood stem cells, which produce all blood cells in the body, according to a new study.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Two New Studies for Better Chances of Recovery after Stem Cell Transplantation

The most dangerous side effect of allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), has still not been sufficiently researched. The world’s largest blood stem cell donor center DKMS wants to change that – it is the declared goal of the non-profit organization to improve the survival and healing chances of blood cancer patients. In the fight against GvHD, DKMS research teams have now launched two new scientific studies.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Stem cell discoveries hold potential to improve cancer treatment

Recent discoveries by stem cell scientists may help make cancer treatment more efficient and shorten the time it takes for people to recover from radiation and chemotherapy.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

New graft strategy may improve outcomes for blood stem cell recipients

Removing one type of T cell from donor blood used for stem cell grafts could greatly reduce a serious complication called graft-versus-host disease in patients with leukemia, according to a new study.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

New potential treatment for graft-versus-host-disease and other inflammatory disorders

Researchers have shown that blocking IL-6 and TNF cytokines provides a more effective approach to preventing life-threatening graft-versus-host-disease, an inflammatory condition that develops in patients after their allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

New technique may lead to safer stem cell transplants

Studying mice, researchers have developed a method of stem cell transplantation that does not require radiation or chemotherapy. Instead, the strategy takes an immunotherapeutic approach, combining the targeted elimination of blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow with immune-modulating drugs to prevent the immune system from rejecting the new donor stem cells.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Die Kunst des künstlichen Gewebes

Der Hilde Mangold Award – ein posthumes Denkmal für die deutsche Embryologin Hilde Mangold – wird jährlich an herausragende Stammzellforscherinnen durch das German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) verliehen. Mit dem Preis werden sowohl die wissenschaftlichen Errungenschaften, als auch das Lebenswerk der Preisträgerin als Vorbild für junge Wissenschaftlerinnen gewürdigt. Dieses Jahr darf Frau Prof. Dr. Katja Schenke-Layland, Direktion des NMI Naturwissenschaftlichen und Medizinischen Instituts in Reutlingen und Professorin für Medizintechnik und Regenerative Medizin an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Eberhard-Karls-Universität in Tübingen diesen Preis in Empfang nehmen.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Researchers discover key stem cell dormancy mechanism which could help unlock future cancer treatments

Researchers have made new findings which provide a broader understanding of how dormant hematopoietic stem cells are activated and could pave the way towards therapeutic treatments for a number of cancers.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Sensing ‚junk‘ RNA after chemotherapy enhances blood regeneration

Scientists reveal that during hematopoietic regeneration, RNA expressed from a part of the genome considered ‚junk DNA‘ is used by hematopoietic stem cells to get activated and proliferate. The study shows that these so-called transposable elements make RNA after chemotherapy and activate an immune receptor which induces inflammatory signals enhancing hematopoietic stem cell cycling and thus participating in the regeneration of the hematopoietic system.

Quelle: Sciencedaily

Sleeper cells: Newly discovered stem cell resting phase could put brain tumors to sleep

Biomedical engineering researchers developed a new cell classifier tool that takes a higher-resolution look at the life cycle of neuroepithelial stem cells, which led to the discovery and exploration of a new resting phase called Neural G0. This knowledge could help scientists to better understand glioma brain tumors and develop new methods of treatment.

Quelle: Sciencedaily