life inspired

"Cellular reprogramming to a stem-cell state has now been achieved in tissues of genetically engineered mice. This work signals a future for regenerative medicine in which tissue fates might be manipulated in living organisms." Full paper @ Nature

Labels: cell reprogramming, stem cells

"Our knowledge of the principles by which organ architecture develops through complex collective cell behaviours is still limited. Recent work has shown that the shape of such complex tissues as the optic cup forms by self-organization in vitro from a homogeneous population of stem cells. Multicellular self-organization involves three basic processes that are crucial for the emergence of latent intrinsic order. Based on lessons from recent studies, cytosystems dynamics is proposed as a strategy for understanding collective multicellular behaviours, incorporating four-dimensional measurement, theoretical modelling and experimental reconstitution." Full paper @ Nature

Labels: develo, self-organization, stem cells

"When under threat, it pays to be flexible. That principle may help explain why scientists have been able to use viruses to reprogram differentiated cells into stem cells, an advance that was recognized as part of this year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. In the 26 October issue of Cell, a U.S. research team reports that a cell's defensive reaction to viruses seems to make it more open to expressing genes that are usually shut down—whether they be those that trigger inflammation or those that are active in stem cells. The find could help scientists better understand how cellular reprogramming works, and may also help them develop more efficient and safer ways to reprogram cells." Full news analysis @ Science. Full article:

Lee et al [2012. "Activation of Innate Immunity Is Required for Efficient Nuclear Reprogramming". Cell 151 (3):547 - 558.

Labels: cell reprogramming, immune system, stem cells

"The transformation of skin cells into stem cells is a fascinating but poorly understood process. At last, the molecular characters underlying the initial steps have been revealed." Full article @ Nature

Labels: cell reprogramming, epigenetics, stem cells

Very Blade Runner! "Yoshiki Sasai has grown an eye and parts of a brain in a dish [from stem cells]." Full news feature @ Nature News

Labels: stem cells, synthetic biology, tissue growth