Critical proteins involved in animal stem cell regulation are much older than previously thought, predating the origin of animals that likely evolved more than 700 million years ago. This is the result of a study by a international research team including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Germany.

Researchers have developed a new model in which steam cells can be rapidly converted into brain cells with protein structures characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. This will help researchers to study Parkinson’s unique and highly variable disease pathology in a petri dish.

Researchers have developed a new soft, flexible, battery-free implant that attaches to the bladder wall to sense filling. People suffering from paralysis, spina bifida, bladder cancer or end-stage bladder disease in which bladder function is often compromised, and bladder reconstruction surgery may be required will find the new implant useful.

Researchers led by Professor Gary Lewin at the Max Delbrück Center have identified a new ion channel, Elkin1, crucial for touch perception, complementing the previously known Piezo2 channel. This discovery, confirmed through experiments on mice and human sensory neurons, opens new avenues for understanding touch and potentially treating chronic pain.

Researchers have developed an engineered tissue which represents a simplified cerebral cortex by 3D printing human stem cells. The method has the potential to repair and treat brain injuries.

Amsbio has introduced its new matrix hydrogel – Extragel which is a highly effective growth scaffold for in vivo xenograft generation, pluripotent stem cell maintenance, angiogenesis and advanced 3D culture applications.

Amsbio has expanded its iMatrix series of recombinant laminin E8 fragments with isoforms LN-111 and LN-332. The newly added range provides greater flexibility and control when tailoring one’s substrate to the requirements of specific cultured cells.

Researchers at University of Michigan developed a method to produce artificially grown miniature brains — called human brain organoids — free of animal cells that could greatly improve the way neurodegenerative conditions are studied and, eventually, treated.

Researchers have revealed that common viruses play an important role in some cases of Alzheimer’s disease. They elaborated that herpes simplex virus type 1 when found in the human brain along with a specific genetic factor led to a higher risk of developing the disease.

Studying stem cell samples from hundreds of individuals in the same culture dish, using a method developed at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, could have transformative potential for personalised treatments and the study of complex human traits.