Embryonic stem cells

Here is information about recent Whitehead accomplishments in work on embryonic stem cell and the embryonic-stem-cell-like induced pluripotent stem cells.

New technique produces genetically identical stem cells (2008)
Cells from mice created using genetically reprogrammed cells can be triggered via drug to enter an embryonic stem-cell-like state.

Mature B cells reprogrammed to stem-cell-like state (2008)
Fully differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells.
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 03:56

Reprogrammed cells reduce Parkinson's symptoms in rats (2008)
Dopamine-producing neurons transplanted into adult rat brains treat behavioral symptoms related to low dopamine levels.
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 01:16

Mapping a new frontier: human regulatory circuitry
Whitehead Member Richard Young January 2008
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 50:32

Reprogrammed adult cells treat sickle-cell anemia in mice (2007)
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.

Scientists identify embryonic stem cells by appearance alone (2007)
Scientists can now identify pluripotent stem cells based solely on their physical appearance.

Cells take risks with their identities (2007)
Contrary to textbook models, many genes that should be “off” in embryonic stem cells and specialized adult cells remain primed to produce master regulatory proteins, leaving those cells vulnerable to identity changes.

Reprogrammed fibroblasts identical to embryonic stem cells (2007)
Researchers have manipulated mouse fibroblasts and turned them into cells with such developmental elasticity that they appear identical to embryonic stem cells.

Break no eggs (2007)
Behind the scenes of an astonishing leap in embryonic stem cell science.

The care and feeding of stem cells (2006)

NIH awards $6.8 million for stem cell neural-development project (2006)

Mapping the foundation of human development (2006)

Cloned stem cells prove identical to fertilized stem cells (2006)

A new technique for creating stem cells may ease ethical concerns
Examines pioneering work by Whitehead Member Rudolf Jaenisch
From NOVA scienceNOW
January 2006
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 8:00

Stem cells: you can't always get what you want
Whitehead Member Rudolf Jaenisch December 2005
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 59:00

The grand challenge (2005)

Researchers offer proof-of-concept for Altered Nuclear Transfer (2005)

Researchers discover key to embryonic stem-cell potential (2005)

Kennedy brings stem cell quest to Whitehead (2005)

Life, death and stem cells (2004)

Nuclear cloning and cell therapy: fact and fiction
Whitehead Member Rudolf Jaenisch April 2004
 [view video 220k]
  Video length: 59:43

With respect and conscience (2003)