National DNA Day!

Visit the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute Site (http://www.genome.gov/10506367) today for activities and information related to the human genome. Have fun!

Illinois Awards Grants

Illinois Awards Grants

The $10 million in stem cells research funding, including embryonic stem cell research, which Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich used an executive order to authorize, has been distributed in the form of 10 grants to 7 institutions. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the recipients as follows:

*Children's Memorial Research Center (one grant): $2 million to fund stem cell research in cancer, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and brain injuries
*University of Illinois at Chicago (two grants): $2.8 million to study strokes, blood disorders, lung diseases and heart repair.
*Northwestern University (two grants): $1.4 million to study replacement blood vessels and stem cell development.
*Loyola University (one grant): $1.4 million to study leukemia and other blood cancers.
*University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (two grants): $841,000 to study muscular dystrophy and bone and soft tissue defects.
*Hines VA Hospital (one grant): $800,000 to study strokes.
*University of Chicago (one grant): $473,000 to study stem cell function

Much of the article focuses on the political issue, which has a lot to do with Blagojevich’s method of avoiding legislative control. His Republican opponent in the gubernatorial race also supports embryonic stem cell research, although she said it should have been approved by the legislature.

There is a related AP story in the Chicago Tribune. It also includes discussion of other political issues related to the election.

There was potentially going to be an appeal in the recent lawsuit seeking an injunction against the governor; I assume this is not going forward at this point. If it does, what happens to the allocated money?

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Help Mouse Kidneys

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Help Mouse Kidneys

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston (the official Hospital of the Boston Red Sox, according to the release—just thought you’d like to know that) have discovered that stem cells derived from bone marrow can regenerate renal cells in mice with Alport syndrome. Alport syndrome is a congenital disorder that first appears in children and leads to end-stage renal failure by the time people are in their twenties or thirties. Mutations in collagen genes causes the kidneys’ filtration system to malfunction, eventually leading to organ failure.

The researchers found that 4 weeks after the procedure, 10 percent of the transplanted cells had migrated to the kidneys. Not only did the they regenerate damaged cells, they also repaired the defective collagen matrix. The researchers pointed to this study as showing not only a potential therapy for people with Alport syndrome but also as demonstrating that extracellular matrix defects can be repaired with stem cells.

The transfers were allogeneic, rather than autologous. I would be interested in knowing if autologous transfer were as effective. Also, is this a life-time cure or does the faulty genetic programming survive, necessitating regular procedures? And of course, can stem cells regenerate renal cells in other kinds of kidney disease?

Breast Cancer Stem Cell Research

Breast Cancer Stem Cell Research

A research team in Iceland has grown breast cells on a three dimensional matrix, mimicking actual anatomy, instead of on a two dimensional culture in order to study breast stem cells and how they might be related to cancer. They could also be used as a way to study the effects of new drugs. The press release is a little unclear on what kind of cells were grown, but I believe they were actual stem cells and not differentiated breast cells.

The big news here is really the three dimensional technology rather than any new research findings. It seems like a significant one, and if I were a researcher I might want to try growing other types of stem cells in a three dimensional matrix to study them.

Another Sperm Study

Another Sperm Study

Researchers in the Netherlands announced that they have cultivated spermatogonial stem cells extracted from bull testicles in mice. (The press release initially says they harvested them from cows—I think not—and then clarifies that they were from bull calves.) The stem cells survived in the mice for up to three months, although they did not develop into sperm. The researchers found that glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which is a growth factor for brain cells, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) were necessary for the cells too thrive. There is a risk of cancer with unregulated GDNF, however.

The study is not directed at differentiating spermatogonial stem cells into other types of cells; the researchers are interested in finding ways to cultivate sperm from stem cells as a treatment for male infertility.

I don’t know what other researchers might do with this finding, but I expect there will be ways in which it becomes useful to things other than fertility.