Scientists from the University of Oxford, University College London, and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have discovered a way to manipulate and grow regulatory T cells that will stop organ rejection in mice. The technique involves extracting T cells from the subject as well as cells from the donor organ and culturing them in a … Continue reading Cell Therapy May Eliminate Need for Transplant Drugs
UCSB Researchers Discover Drug Target for PKD
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have discovered that the same molecular mechanism that causes cancer cells to multiply also causes cysts to grow in patients with ADPKD, the most common form of Polycystic Kidney Disease. They found that the transcription factor STAT3 is activated by a mutated protein present in ADPKD patients. UCSB researchers are … Continue reading UCSB Researchers Discover Drug Target for PKD
Scientists Discover Role of PVT1 Gene in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, Arizona are shedding new light on the role of the PVT1 gene in reducing kidney filtration and causing diabetic kidney disease. They discovered that high blood sugar increases the rate of PVT1 gene expression, unleashing proteins associated with damage to the mesangial cells of the … Continue reading Scientists Discover Role of PVT1 Gene in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Research Breakthrough – Kidneys Grown in Lab in Scotland
Scottish researchers at the University of Edinburgh have managed to grow tiny kidneys measuring just 0.2 inches long. Their breakthrough represents a giant leap forward in the future treatment of kidney disease. The organs, created in the lab using stem cells from human amniotic fluid and animal fetal cells, are of the same size and … Continue reading Research Breakthrough – Kidneys Grown in Lab in Scotland
Low Levels of Hormone Klotho May Be Early Warning Sign of CKD
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that Klotho, an anti-aging hormone produced in the kidneys, may serve as a biomarker for early CKD and its cardiovascular complications. Low levels of Klotho have been observed in both mice and humans with CKD. The senior author of the study, Dr. Orson Moe said, “It can … Continue reading Low Levels of Hormone Klotho May Be Early Warning Sign of CKD
Grant System Leaves Cancer Researchers to Play it Safe
From New York Times June 28, 2009 Here is an interesting article with insight into the cancer research grant system and why more funds are needed for medical research. Grant System Leaves Cancer Researchers to Play It Safe