Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Post

Talk about a technology with a huge ethical black-eye, induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) have a checkered past not so much with their potential but how we harvested them. First it was with embryos, then placenta, then umbilical cords which are now being cell banked commercially. However, for humans born way before cord blood banking (like me) our options to benefit from these cells is limited. Jia Tan, study author and cell biologist at Monash University in Melbourne, describes how they can take cells from many species and then "wipe" their epigenetic memories clean to provide a pure Pluripotent Stem Cell for use on anyone to battle a disease or grow a new/replacement organ. Still a ways away from being available, it offers hope for those who need it. #inducedpluripotentstemcells #growanewliver #growanewkidney #yougettheidea

Secondary Publication: Proposal for Points of Consideration for Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture Journal In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 10.1007/s11626-024-00863-w In 2019, the basics of hPSC culture were compiled as a Japanese review in Tissue Culture Research Communications (TCRC) of the Japanese Tissue Culture Association (JTCA) (Akutsu, H et al.) Five years have passed, this area has expanded and the number of users has increased. Therefore, we consider that basic information for culturing hiPS cells is important. Therefore, with the permission of the TCRC, we decided to publish a secondary publication in English. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has published the ISSCR Standards for the Research Use of Human Stem Cells.https://https://lnkd.in/gF7__dTK We believe that our review serves as a brief introduction before reading the formal ISSCR Standards. We hope it will be useful to researchers. https://lnkd.in/gTvQ5jaj

🧪 How to reprogram a cell into a stem cell? TLDR: wipe its memory Scientists have paved a new path to make special lab-grown cells, dubbed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, closely resemble embryonic stem (ES) cells. Like ES cells, iPS cells are incredibly versatile as they can morph into any type of body cell. 🧫 How? A technique called transient-naive-treatment (TNT) reprogramming. This was used to minimize gene differences between iPS and ES cells. In the past, significant differences between iPS and ES cells hindered their potential applications. The TNT-reprogramming approach solves this problem by simulating the epigenetic 'reset' seen in early embryonic development. After exposing non-reproductive body cells to specific conditions for five days, the researchers managed to erase most epigenetic modifications without causing abnormalities. 🤯 The results? The iPS cells created via TNT reprogramming bear remarkable similarity to ES cells on both molecular and functional levels. This breakthrough holds exciting implications for regenerative medicine and biomedical research. It paves the way for new disease modeling & drug discovery possibilities while offering a more accurate representation of target cells for therapeutic purposes. ❓ Despite these advancements, several questions remain unanswered and the researchers aim to investigate why some genomic regions resist reprogramming & identify the specific conditions that contribute to TNT reprogramming effects. 🚀 As someone with limited biology knowledge, I find this research paper at the same time hard to follow and fascinating - the ability to re-program a cell promises numerous future medical applications. #stemcellresearch #regenerativemedicine #biomedicalresearch #innovation Image: human iPS cells, By NIH Image Gallery from Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Researchers have successfully applied AI-generated proteins in a stem cell study, marking a major milestone at the intersection of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. This achievement holds immense promise for the future of healthcare. The practical implications are profound, potentially unlocking new treatments for a wide range of diseases. Imagine AI-generated proteins leading to innovative therapeutic approaches and personalised medicine tailored to individual needs. This research not only showcases the rapid advancements in AI capabilities but also underscores its transformative potential in scientific research and healthcare. It's an inspiring example of how cutting-edge technology can revolutionise the way we approach medical challenges. #Biotechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthcareInnovation #Biology #AIResearch https://lnkd.in/eMQQCeCe

🌟 Inner Ear Organoids: Exciting in vitro model development showcased at the global Stem Cell Event last week in Hambourg 🌟 Last week at ISSCR, Sylvie Pucheu, Léa Jaillot, Ezeddine Harmouch and Azel Z. from LBN Montpellier University presented their recent work on an Efficient Embryoid-based Method to Improve Generation of Otic Vesicles from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. This 3D in vitro strategy aims to better understand the mechanisms of human otic development and test novel regenerative therapies to combat hearing loss and balance impairments. 🔬 Innovation: The research team adapted a protocol to improve embryoid body-based otic induction from hiPSCs, preserving the integrity and viability of cells forming the otic embryoid bodies (OEBs) and otic vesicle-like structures. Using a Sox2-GFP reporter hiPSC line, we tracked the progression from pluripotency to otic progenitors, showing robust otic induction and improved vesicle generation between days 11-60 of cell cultures. This is a great milestone for the OrgaEar project directed by Professor Azel Zine, that we conduct in collaboration with the University of Montpellier and the support of SATT AxLR. #Organoids #Innovation #StemCells #InVitroModels #TherapiesDevelopment #InnerEarPathologies #ISSCR2024 #HearingResearch #RegenerativeMedicine

Impressive summary of recent advances in the mathematical modelling of human pluripotent stem cells. Which model do you think is most effective? https://lnkd.in/etEjm2Kd Check out my website at ShoshanaLefflerdat.com #stemcells #computationalbiology #compbio #mathematicalbiology

‘Cause I’m TNT: New Reprogramming Method Produces Naive Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers from Monash University in Melbourne and The University of Western Australia have demonstrated how a reprogramming method imitates embryonic epigenetic reset. Transient naive treatment (TNT) reprogrammed human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells that are molecularly and functionally more similar to human embryonic stem (hES) cells than primed hiPS cells, which are more like cells in the post-implantation embryo. This research suggests that TNT reprogramming has the potential to set a new standard for therapeutic and biomedical uses. Learn more: https://ow.ly/97J950PAntJ