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A Recap of the Best Stem Cell Discoveries of 2017: Part 1

It has been a very exciting year in the field of stem cell research.  There have been many incredible breakthroughs throughout the year, including some discoveries that may lead to new treatments for currently incurable conditions.  Researchers have also made discoveries that improve the effectiveness of current stem cell therapies.

This is the first article in our four-part series that will recap the most impressive stem cell discoveries in 2017.

Using Stem Cells to Create Functional Pacemaker Cells

Scientists from the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Toronto, Canada, have created functional pacemaker cells from stem cells.  This breakthrough has the potential to treat disorders that cause an irregular heartbeat, saving thousands of lives.

The researchers used human pluripotent cells during the research.  They are powerful cells that are capable of differentiating into many other types of cells.  The researchers prompted the stem cells to turn into sinoatrial node (SAN) cardiomyocytes — the cells that regulate the heartbeat.  It took 21 days to convert the stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

The discovery may completed revolutionise how irregular heartbeats are treated.  Instead of having an electronic pacemaker inserted into the patient’s body, they may be able to receive a transfusion of cells.  Read more about this research

New Findings About Stem Cells in the Brain of Epileptic Patients

Swedish researchers have discovered that people with epilepsy have neural stem cells in locations where they don’t normally exist.  The discovery may help them develop treatments that reduce the severity of epilepsy symptoms.

Neural stem cells create the nerve cells found within the brain and nervous system.  Researchers have long suspect that certain brain conditions are related to neural cells being located in unusual locations within the brain.  This study confirms that is the case.  The next step will be to develop treatments that neutralise or remove these unwanted cells.  Read more about this research

Reprogramming Stem Cells Could Lead Us to a World Without Paralysis

Motor neurones are responsible for carrying signals to-and-from the spinal cord to different effector organs in the body.  They are the cells that enable the brain to send messages to the muscles in our bodies. 

Unfortunately, many people suffer from conditions that cause motor neurones to be mutated, preventing them from functioning correctly.  The most common of these conditions are spinal muscular atrophy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  They are serious conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to control their muscles.

New research suggests that stem cells may be used to create healthy neurones, reducing the patient’s symptoms.  Read more about this research

Discovery Improves Use of Umbilical Cord Blood as Cancer Therapy

Umbilical cord blood stem cells are already used to treat many forms of cancer including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.  Stem cells help the patient begin producing healthy blood cells after they have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Researchers in the United States have developed a new technique for improving the efficacy of stem cell cancer treatments.  They found that a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) can make stem cell transplants much more effective.  This exciting discovery could help to save the lives of many cancer patients.  Read more about this research

Outer Layer of Human Heart Regrown Using Stem Cells

There have been many incredible developments in the field of regenerative medicine in 2017.  Regenerative medicine focuses on healing injuries and diseases using the body’s own regenerative capabilities.  Stem cells are an important focal point for much of this research, because of their ability to create new cells and regenerate tissue. 

One major breakthrough came from researchers in the United States.  They managed to use stem cells to regenerate the cells that cover the exterior of the heart.  The discovery may lead to stem cell treatments that repair damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack or injury.  Read more about this research

Improving Longevity of Integrated Stem Cells in Vision Therapy

Some of the most exciting stem cell discoveries of 2017 involved degenerative visual conditions like macular degeneration.  A group of researchers in the United States performed animals tests to confirm that stem cells can restore vision.   They managed to restore some vision in blind mice.  The mice became capable of recognising light a few months after receiving stem cell injections.  Read more about this research

New Technique Using Stem Cells Shows Promise for Bone Repair

Multipotent stem cells are capable of differentiating into multiple types of cells including myocytes (muscle cells), osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and adipocytes (fat cells).

Researchers have discovered that the ability of stem cells to repair bones can be improved by adding a carbon material with photocatalytic properties.  The material speeds up the rate that stem cells create osteoblasts.  A treatment using this technique could make healing a bone fracture or break much faster.  Read more about this research

World’s First Stem Cell Study for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening autoimmune condition that affects cells within the lungs.  People with the condition have shortness of breath, a persistent cough and frequent lung infections.  It is a chronic condition that dramatically shortens a person’s life.

In 2017, researchers in the United States performed the world’s first stem cell transplant on an adult with cystic fibrosis.  It was a part of a small-scale study involving 15 participants.  The researchers hope the stem cells will fix the underlying immune system disorder.  Read more about this research

New Treatment Repairs Heart Without Risk for Cancer

Researchers from the North Carolina State University in the United States have developed a stem cell therapy that can repair damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack.  They used synthetic stem cells that promote healing in the heart muscle without any risk of tumours developing in the patient.  The cells were created by combining human cardiac stem cells with a synthetic polymer.  The polymer prevents the stem cells from moving away from the heart muscle and forming tumours. 

Thanks for reading A Recap of the Best Stem Cell Discoveries of 2017: Part 1.  You can continue reading about the many amazing stem cell discoveries in 2017 in part 2 of our series.

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