Whitehead Institute - Whitehead research on stem cell and regenerative biology

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.

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.
New technique produces genetically identical stem cells (7/1/08)
Cells from mice created using genetically reprogrammed cells can be triggered via drug to enter an embryonic stem-cell-like state.
(Boston Globe article)
(Wired article)
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.
Mature B cells reprogrammed to stem-cell-like state (4/17/08)
Fully differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells.
Reprogrammed cells reduce Parkinson's symptoms in rats (4/7/08)
Dopamine-producing neurons transplanted into adult rat brains treat behavioral symptoms related to low dopamine levels.
(Boston Globe article)
(New Scientist article)
(Reuters article)
Human blood stem cells are multiplied 20-fold in culture (1/17/08)
Advance offers promise for bone marrow transplants, gene therapy.
Reprogrammed adult cells treat sickle-cell anemia in mice (12/6/07)
This is the first proof of principle for using adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state, combined with gene and cell therapy, for successful disease treatment in mice.
(LA Times article)
(The Guardian article)
(The Wall Street Journal article)
Heads or tails? Scientists identify gene that regulates polarity in regenerating flatworms (12/6/07)
Inhibiting one gene resulted in animals making a head instead of a tail at the site of the wound.
(Boston Globe article)
(New York Times article)

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