UW-Madison researchers discover method to encourage self-renewal of stem cells

UW-Madison cell and regenerative biology professor James Thomson and his team of scientists recently made new strides in their extensive stem cell research.

Thomson and his team members from the Morgridge Institute for Research conducted tests and experiments on mice to advance their research, according to a UW-Madison news release.

Results from the trials led to a developed method which eternally preserves progenitor cells in their pluripotent stages. In other words, the stem cells, which eventually transform into specific tissues, will forever remain in a phase with the potential to become one of at least 200 different cell types.

Maintaining pluripotent stem cells in a controlled environment enables them to undergo constant reproduction. The cells will cyclically divide and grow to produce working endothelial, blood and smooth muscle cells.

David Vereide, one of Thomsons associates at MIR, said the cells are able to self-renew through the regulation of a small quantity of genes.

"Normally, these cells are ephemeral and get used up while differentiating into specific cell types, but we found a way to interrupt that, Vereide explained in the release.

He also said their findings bring researchers very close to finalizing medical uses for stem cells.

Thomson said in the release he and his team have ambitions to progress from examining mouse cells to working with human cells, and motivate other experts to uncover even more valuable information on the topic.

"I'm hoping that other scientists who see this get inspired," Vereide said in the release. "If you dig into the progenitor state of any tissue, you will probably find core factors that will drive the expansion of those progenitors in a dish.

The new discovery will be recorded in the Dec. 9 publication of Stem Cell Reports.

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UW-Madison researchers discover method to encourage self-renewal of stem cells