News

Cambridge scientists could improve the “balancing act” in cancer therapy

3 July 2017

Scientists at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute have revealed new insights into cellular signaling processes that could improve chemotherapy treatments. In research published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, the study found that small signaling packages (known as extracellular vesicles) have the specific enzyme...

Janet Rossant awarded honorary degree

23 June 2017

At a ceremony held this week in Senate House, the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science to Professor Janet Rossant in recognition of her achievements in academia, philanthropy and public service. Professor Janet Rossant is an alumna and Honorary Fellow of Darwin College...

Patching up a broken heart

20 June 2017

Scientists at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) are developing heart patches from stem cells in the hopes of repairing tissue damage following heart attack. Using embryonic and adult stem cells, the research team led by Dr Sanjay Sinha , produced the correct mix of heart cells needed to make functional cardiac...

Fish research may hold the key to understanding childhood disease.

16 May 2017

Cambridge stem cell scientists have developed a new zebrafish model to study the origins of Fanconi anemia, a paediatric disease that causes fatal bone marrow failure and predisposes children to cancer. Using this model, the researchers showed the symptoms of this disease to be linked to genetic changes that disrupt blood...

Elections to the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society

8 May 2017

Three CSCI Affiliate Investigators have this week been elected to prestigious societies, the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society. Affiliates Richard Gilberston and Christine Watson have been elected Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences, while Affiliate Anne Ferguson-Smith has been elected a Fellow of...

Step Change for Stem Cell Research – New Building Tops Out

27 April 2017

The Wellcome Trust – MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute marked a major milestone this month with the topping out of its new purpose-built home on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Construction of the 18,000sqm, £94million facility is due to be completed in late 2018, when all 29 research groups that make up the Cambridge...

Cambridge discovery paves the way for new diabetes treatment options

27 April 2017

Cambridge stem cell scientists have revealed a new mechanism controlling the formation of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. These beta cells are the same cells that are damaged and lost in people living with diabetes. With this new understanding, researchers now have the opportunity to improve the production of...

Rising Star: Cambridge Stem Cell Scientist awarded Young Investigator Award

20 April 2017

Cambridge stem cell scientist Dr Florian T. Merkle has been announced as a 2017 Young Investigator (C.J. Herrick) Award winner by the American Association on Anatomists. The Young Investigator awards recognise outstanding investigators in the early stages of their careers who have made important contributions to the field...

Miniature ‘womb lining’ grown in lab could reveal secrets of menstrual cycle and early pregnancy

13 April 2017

Scientists at the Wellcome Trust – MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute are part of a team who have succeeded in growing miniature functional models of the lining of the womb (uterus) in culture. These organoids (lab-grown clusters of cells mimicking the womb lining) could provide new insights into the early stages of...

Stem Cell Exchange podcasts launch

11 April 2017

Today marks the launch of a series of podcasts put together by CSCI student Mariana Alves (Silva group) talking to CSCI group leaders and discovering more about their research. #cscipodcasts Mariana has been interviewing a selection of our CSCI Principal Investigators and the first podcast, released today, stars Professor...