A nanofiber matrix for healing

Kyoto: A new nanofiber-on-microfiber matrix could help produce more and better quality stem cells for disease treatment and regenerative therapies. A matrix made of gelatin nanofibers on a synthetic polymer microfiber mesh may provide a better way to culture large quantities of healthy human stem cells. Developed by a team of researchers led by Ken-ichiro Kamei of Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), the ‘fiber-on-fiber’ (FF) matrix improves on currently available stem cell culturing techniques.

Medical team develops 3D babyscan for children in the womb

Bonn: Eight out of 1000 new-born babies are born with a heart defect. It's a blessing in disguise if the anomaly is detected before birth and the expectant mother is transferred where necessary to a specialist centre: if treated properly, the baby has substantially better chances of survival, with the risk of undesirable after-effects, e.g. resulting from lack of oxygen or poor perfusion of the organs, being reduced. Child cardiologists at the University of Bonn are currently developing a method whereby they can improve the detection of heart defects even in the early stages of pregnancy.

Research Leads to 3D Structures of Key Molecule Implicated in Diseases of the Brain

Scripps: Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have teamed up with several other institutions and pharmaceutical companies, including the University of Southern California (USC), San Diego’s Receptos Inc. and Japanese company Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., to publish the first 3D structures of a receptor implicated in many diseases of the brain and in normal physiology throughout the body. Surprisingly, the structures revealed a new understanding of the body’s use of cannabinoids—a naturally produced substance chemically related to marijuana.