Thursday, 9 February, 2012

Bacteria can help or harm their hosts. Now we hear how one genus of bacteria can multiply fly reproduction. In this symbiosis, both parties benefit. This bacterium also alters insect immunity, and could lead to new tactics for killing horrific parasites.

This muscle cell was derived from human embryonic stem cells propagated on a synthetic hydrogel scaffold. The cell’s alpha smooth muscle actin is stained red and the nucleus blue. Hydrogels are networks of hydrophilic, or water soluble, polymer chains that are used for tissue engineering. They are useful for the creation of microenvironments to support [...]

Salamanders and fish can regrow perfect limbs and fins after amputation. We can’t grow a replacement arm, but can the salamander’s natural regeneration teach about faster wound healing? The latest research on limb regeneration suggests growth factors and equipment that could be ready for the clinic in a few years.

Pres. Obama has removed some limits on studies of cells that can become any body cell. What was lost in eight years of limits on embryonic stem cells? What’s ahead?

Dry macular degeneration affects 10+m Americans. After 10 years of research, embryonic stem cells approach the clinic!

Korean scientist pulled off the biggest scientific fraud in memory. How did he do it? How is science supposed to prevent fraud? Why did it matter, and who loses out?

Developmental biology meets dentistry as scientists grow human teeth in test tubes. All the latest on test-tube teeth. Sounds better than the iron teeth that the Romans used…

Many things distinguish human from rodent. Those ever-growing teeth. That habit of digging through foundations. The ability to design web pages or dream up the ridiculous game of golf… If you haven’t looked under the hood lately, these talents come from quintessentially human section of brain, the cerebral cortex. How does the cerebral cortex develop?

Can embryonic stem cells provide a cure for Parkinson’s and other diseases? Perhaps, but plenty of legal barriers make research difficult. Meet the do-it-all stem cell.