Lifeboat Foundation

Japanese scientists have reported the first successful skin-to-eye stem cell transplant in humans, where stem cells derived from a patient’s skin were transplanted into her eye to partially restore lost vision.

The patient, a 70-year-old woman diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the leading cause of vision impairment in older people – received the experimental treatment back in 2014 as part of a pilot study. Now, closing in on two years after the transplant took place, the scientists are sharing the results.

The researchers took a small piece of skin from her arm (4 mm in diameter) and modified its cells, effectively reprogramming them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).

Continue reading “Japanese scientists have used skin cells to restore a patient’s vision for the first time” »

Something so simple and finally done to help so many.

Beautiful

Researchers at the University of California said the new system dramatically improves the ability of people with limited sight to read books, menus, newspapers and emails.

Continue reading “OrCam headset recognises faces, objects and reads words aloud” »

Nice

A study providing new information about neuropathic pain afflicting some 90 percent of cancer patients who have had nerve damage caused by tumors, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation indicates gene therapy as a possible treatment.

The study in rats showed transfer of a gene known as KCC2 into the spinal canal restored chloride levels gone awry after nerve injury. Results from the research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, were published in the May 5 online issue of Cell Reports.

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A gene therapy for an inherited immune disease completes a 27-year journey.

Organoids grown from genetically edited stem cells are giving scientists a new tool to screen drugs and test treatments.

Cell phones do not cause brain cancer.

Mobile phone use has not caused a rise in brain cancer in Australia, says a new study led by the University of Sydney.

Ido Bachelet, Shawn Douglas and George Church filed a patent in 2011 for DNA origami devices useful in the targeted delivery of biologically active entities to specific cell populations.

This is the patent for the DNA nanorobot for molecular precise delivery of treatments to cells. This has been covered several times by Nextbigfuture

Their DNA origami device comprises a scaffold strand and a plurality of staple strands, wherein:

Continue reading “Original Patent details on DNA Origami Molecular buckets which enables nanomedicine” »

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NKeeHahhNL4

At the same time we extract adult stem cells from the patient.

Using bacteria to aid in the design of superior biomedical implants capable of resisting colonization by infectious bugs.

Dr. Pushkar Lele, assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, is developing novel insights in cellular mechanics with bacteria to aid in the design of superior biomedical implants capable of resisting colonization by infectious bugs. Lele’s group also focuses on unraveling the fundamental principles underlying interactions in biological soft-matter to build bio-nanotechnology-based molecular machines. Lele’s lab currently focuses on a unique electric rotary device found in bacteria — the flagellar motor.

According to Lele, it is well established how motile bacteria employ flagellar motors to swim and respond to chemical stimulation. This allows bacteria to search for nutrients and evade harmful chemicals. However, in his recent work, Lele has now demonstrated that the motor is also sensitive to mechanical stimulation and identified the protein components responsible for the response. Sensing initiates a sensitive control of the assemblies of numerous proteins that combine to form the motor. Control over motor assemblies facilitates fine-tuning of cellular behavior and promotes chances of survival in a variety of environments.

Continue reading “Lele flagella motor research develops novel insights in cellular mechanics” »