Adult and embryonic stem cells share two important and scientifically intriguing properties: they can renew themselves almost indefinitely, and they can form multiple cell types.
Decades of research on adult stem cells have brought advanced bone marrow transplants that save thousands of lives. Recent studies of human embryonic stem cells have produced extraordinary scientific advances—most recently, the ability to create embryonic-stem-cell-like cells without using an embryo or egg. And investigations into other animals with astonishing abilities of self-renewal, such as planarian flatworms, provide an important additional perspective on mechanisms of regeneration. Whitehead scientists work at the cutting edge in all of these fields.
Putting microRNAs on the stem cell map (8/7/08)
Short snippets of RNA called microRNAs help to keep embryonic stem cells in their stem cell state. Researchers now have discovered the gene circuitry that controls microRNAs in embryonic stem cells.
(New York Times article)
Recipe for cell reprogramming adds protein (8/6/08)
Embryonic-like stem cells can be efficiently generated using a natural signaling molecule instead of the virally delivered cancer-causing gene c-Myc.
Embryonic pathway delivers stem cell traits (5/15/08)
Understanding the role of EMT in adult stem cell creation may lead toward the development of healthy stem cells for regenerative medicine and provide drug targets for cancer.
