News

A study has found an unexpected new drug target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) that could open new avenues to develop effective treatments against this potentially lethal disease. The collaborative study led by researchers at the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Sanger Institute shows that inhibiting the METTL3 gene destroys h…

This week saw a delegation of Cambridge researchers travel to Malaysia to partake in the 2nd Cambridge – Oxford – Sunway Biomedical Symposium entitled Stem cells: from biology to therapy.   The meeting explored the fundamental biology of stem cells and the progress being made towards translating basic research into stem cell therapeutics.The organi…

Last Friday, the University of Cambridge opened up its doors for the 2017 Postgraduate Open Day, for prospective students to visit Cambridge, the Colleges, and its university departments.Jo Jack and some of our current 4-Year students, Fiona, Theresa, Anastasiya, Bao and Aracely, hosted a stand at the University Centre event, talking to students ab…

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators have created Expanded Potential Stem Cells (EPSCs) in mice, for the first time, that have a greater potential for development than current stem cell lines. These stem cells have the features of the very first cells in the developing embryo, and can develop into any type of c…

The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute are partnering with local Cambridge pubs to showcase their latest public outreach product: Regenerator, a session ale brewed in collaboration with local beer experts Moonshine Brewery.  The aim is to meet a wide range of the Cambridge public and chat all things stem cells, and what better way to do that than over a…

Researchers have used genome editing technology to reveal the role of a key gene in human embryos in the first few days of development. This is the first time that genome editing has been used to study gene function in human embryos, which could help scientists to better understand the biology of our early development.The team used genome editing t…

In the centenary year of the publication of a seminal treatise on the physical and mathematical principles underpinning nature – On Growth and Form by D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson – a Cambridge physicist has led a study describing an elegantly simple solution to a puzzle that has taxed biologists for centuries: how complex branching patterns of tissue…

Scientists at the Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute along with colleagues at the Children’s Hospital Boston have used 3D stem cell organoids to understand the process of lung cell formation, revealing new possibilities for the treatment of asthma and emphysema.  To stay healthy, our lungs must maintain two key populations of cells: the a…

Cambridge scientists have uncovered genetic changes that result in a pre-cancerous stem cell population that can give rise to lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system commonly diagnosed in people under 30. The research published in the journal Nature Cell Biologyshows how the genetic changes and resulting stem cell dysfunction creates a ‘perfect …

Dr Jenny Nichols from the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute has been featured in the August edition of Development, talking about her research and her career to date.In the interview with Aidan Maartens, Jenny explains how she formed her research questions, started working with former Director of the Institute Austin Smith and imparts her advice to ear…

Cambridge Stem Cell Institute group leader Dr Elisa Laurenti has won one of six University of Cambridge Public Engagement with Research Awards. She received a £1,000 prize presented by the Vice-Chancellor in an award ceremony on 13 July in the Old Schools.Elisa has been a leading force in public engagement at the Institute, particularly as coordina…

Scientists at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and the Sanger Institute have developed a new method for growing and transplanting artificial bile ducts that could in future be used to help treat liver disease in children, reducing the need for liver transplantation.In research published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers grew 3D cellu…

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 activity required to kill some…

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 and outgoing chair of CSCI’s…

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 tissue.  These cells were then gr…