Bedford Research Stem Cells Glow!

Breakthroughs in understanding circadian rhythms in stem cells.

Fall 2014: Bedford Research scientists are following up on their discovery that stem cells have a circadian rhythm that may need to be supported for optimum development in the laboratory.

In the body, the daily pattern of light and dark controls many signals sent out by the brain, such as those that trigger changes in body temperature, and feelings of hunger and sleepiness.

Stem cells may especially need circadian signals to differentiate into specific cell types, such as neurons or bone marrow — but what type of signal should they receive in the laboratory? And what frequency? There is growing evidence that each type of cell needs a different circadian signal.

To answer this question, Bedford Research scientists have taken advantage of a genetically engineered mouse that has the firefly “glow” gene (Luciferase) attached to one of the circadian rhythm genes (the “Period 2” gene). Tissues in this PerLuc mouse “glow” when Period 2 is active.

Until this fall, Bedford Research scientists have been unable to discover the circadian signal needs of their two new lines of stem cells from the PerLuc mouse because of the lack of a microscope sensitive enough to detect and photograph the glow of a small number of cells.

The good news is that such a microscope has been developed, and this year became available in the U.S. The bad news is that the system costs $160,000 and is not yet available anywhere on the east coast.

Olympus loaned Bedford Research scientists a demonstration LV200 for a couple of weeks this fall during which we discovered that our PerLuc stem cells do, indeed “glow” (Figure 1), and that the “glow” actually begins soon after egg activation, and increases with the transition into stem cells (Figure 2).

These exciting new findings provide strong support for the importance of circadian rhythms in stem cell growth and development. One of our goals is to raise funds to purchase the new microscope system as soon as possible in order to discover what circadian signals stimulate differentiation of each cell type.

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News Briefs

Bedford’s Science Advisory Committee Grows

Dr. Jose Cibelli joins as chair and welcomes four new members.

In January of 2014, Bedford Trustee, Dr. Jose Cibelli, head of the Cellular Reprogramming Lab at Michigan State University, joined Bedford’s Science Advisory Committee as its Chair. This summer, the Committee welcomed new members: Dr. Fred Davis, Professor of Biology (specializing in Circadian Rhythms) at Northeastern, Dr. David DiGiusto, Director of the Lab for Cellular Medicine at City of Hope Cancer Center, Dr. Phil Horner, Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine at University of Washington, and Dr. Steve Sheridan, Senior Researcher at Harvard Medical School Center for Genetic Research. We’re thrilled to have these prestigious committee members join founding member Dr. Carol Warner.

Progress in Stem Cell Engineering

There is strong evidence that “off-the-shelf” stem cell therapies, i.e. one that can be delivered to any patient, will be possible in the future. In order to create such therapies, we will need stem cells that have been engineered for specific regenerative medicine treatments, such as bone marrow stem cells that are resistant to HIV.

Using “activated” mouse eggs (called “parthenotes”) as a model system, Bedford Research scientists have made substantial progress adapting new technologies to “knock-out” the receptor for HIV. The same technology is being applied to new cell lines for studies of nerve development.

We’re Moving!

After 16 years at Davis Square in Somerville, MA, we are moving to a larger space in Bedford, MA. The need to develop an FDA-approved laboratory module for “bench to bedside” stem cell research, plus a unique “lease to purchase” opportunity prompted the move. We have two years to raise $800,000 to purchase the building. We are seeking support from state life science research funds as well as philanthropists.

We have one pledge of $75,000. To find out more about endowing the laboratory please email ryan@bedfordresearch .org so we can take advantage of the lease opportunity and the savings in overhead that can be diverted to the research.

Prostate disease research Update

Patient recruitment into the prostate cancer screening project is ongoing. The goal of the project is to develop semen screening tests that will help diagnose and stage prostate cancer as well as reflect overall male health. A group of urologists in Texas have recently joined the research project and will help recruit patients for the next phase of the work.

Your support makes these programs possible.

All contributions are 501(c)(3) tax deductible.

DONATE NOW

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