Publications by authors named "Martin Pera"
Article Synopsis
- Wildlife biodiversity helps keep ecosystems healthy and strong.
- Scientists study this diversity to learn more about life and how it started.
- Due to the rapid loss of various species, immediate action is needed from conservationists, and new techniques like stem cell technologies could help protect animal diversity.
Article Synopsis
- Human pluripotent stem cell technologies are now widely used in biomedical research for studying early human development, disease, drug screening, and cell therapies for difficult diseases.
- The advancements driving this revolution come from various fields such as cancer biology, reproductive technologies, cell culture, and gene editing.
- The review discusses the gradual development of human pluripotency studies and highlights the rapid expansion of the field over recent decades.
Article Synopsis
- Incorporating broad genetic diversity in disease modeling can improve its relevance to human diseases, as inbred mouse strains often fail to accurately reflect these conditions.
- A new cross-species precision disease modeling platform has been developed, utilizing the genetic diversity of mice to connect cellular and organism-level studies.
- The study found that differences in genetic backgrounds influenced the effects of neurodevelopmental gene mutations, revealing key molecular pathways that affect resilience or sensitivity to these changes.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers studied human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and found that they exist in different pluripotent states, with varying proportions across different individuals.
- They identified 13 gene and regulatory network modules that are interconnected, indicating that the organization of regulatory elements influences gene expression.
- The study revealed that pluripotency has a complex regulatory framework influenced by genetic variants, particularly highlighting the significant role of the NANOG-OCT4 Complex in these variations.
Article Synopsis
- The culture of human stem cells in labs aims to replicate a biological state for accurate research outcomes.
- To ensure the reliability of results, standardized practices are necessary, but currently, no widely accepted guidelines exist for working with human pluripotent and tissue stem cells.
- The International Society for Stem Cell Research has proposed recommendations for researchers, focusing on feasible reporting criteria to improve the reproducibility and rigor of stem cell studies.
Article Synopsis
- The second week of embryonic development is a crucial period in human life that has been difficult for scientists to study.
- New research involving human embryo models created from stem cells is expected to enhance our understanding of important processes like cell specialization and the shape formation of embryos.
- These insights could significantly advance our knowledge of early human development.
Article Synopsis
- The legal definition and protection of human embryos vary significantly around the world, leading to differing interpretations and regulations.
- The use of human pluripotent stem cells to create in vitro models of early embryos has sparked debate about existing legal definitions and their implications.
- The authors propose a new legal definition of an embryo, identify key "tipping points" for recognizing embryo models, and recommend ethical principles for their responsible use to benefit society.
Analysis of regulatory network modules in hundreds of human stem cell lines reveals complex epigenetic and genetic factors contribute to pluripotency state differences between subpopulations.
Timothy D Arthur Jennifer P Nguyen Agnieszka D'Antonio-Chronowska Hiroko Matsui Nayara S Silva Martin F Pera
bioRxiv
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- Stem cells can exist in different pluripotent states, and research shows that these states vary significantly among human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from different individuals.
- The study identified 13 gene and regulatory network modules that are interconnected, indicating that regulatory elements influence each other and affect gene expression related to stem cell features like self-renewal and pluripotency.
- Analysis revealed a complex regulatory landscape with regulatory variants linked to important transcription factor binding sites, particularly affecting the NANOG-OCT4 complex, which may explain the differences in pluripotency states observed in hiPSCs.
Article Synopsis
- Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can develop genetic and epigenetic changes when cultured in the lab, raising concerns about their quality control in research and therapy!
- The International Society for Stem Cell Research emphasizes the necessity to reassess standards to maintain the genetic integrity of these stem cells as their usage grows!
- The text discusses the detection methods for these changes and their impact on cell behavior, highlighting the unknown risks of contamination in cell therapies, pointing out the need for improved safety assessments!
Article Synopsis
- 3D patient tumor avatars (3D-PTAs) have the potential to improve precision medicine by offering personalized insights into cancer treatment.
- There are challenges in implementing 3D-PTA technologies, including the need for standardized criteria and trial testing to prove their clinical effectiveness.
- Future advancements should focus on innovative trial designs and creating platforms that integrate diagnostics with treatment options to speed up new therapies for patients who do not respond to traditional treatments.
Article Synopsis
- The study of human-animal chimeras, particularly human-monkey chimeras, faces various technical difficulties and ethical dilemmas.
- This Comment highlights the significance of researching these chimeras, suggesting their potential benefits for science and medicine.
- It also addresses the current scientific and regulatory challenges that need to be overcome for this research to progress effectively.
Article Synopsis
- Pluripotent stem cells are essential for researching human development and related disorders.
- Recent studies highlighted in Stem Cell Reports question how well these stem cells can develop compared to normal human embryos.
- The findings suggest that while these cells are promising for research, their behavior in laboratory settings might not fully represent real embryonic development.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates fluid and solute transporters in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), crucial for maintaining retinal health, and identifies defects in mice that show central retinal hypopigmented patches.
- Researchers found a mutation in the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter gene SLC4A5, which was significantly reduced in expression in the RPE and associated with various retinal abnormalities, including detachment and neovascular lesions.
- Through various imaging techniques and electroretinography (ERG), the study shows that age-related deterioration in retinal structure and function correlates with SLC4A5's role in the outer blood-retinal barrier, impacting fluid regulation and light response.
Article Synopsis
- PIKfyve inhibitors selectively target and kill pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) and stem cells while leaving differentiated cells unharmed.
- These inhibitors disrupt lysosome function, leading to autophagosome build-up and reduced cell growth in both pluripotent and differentiated cells.
- In animal studies, the specific inhibitor WX8 prevented teratocarcinoma formation from ECCs and effectively eliminated pluripotent cells while allowing differentiated cells to continue growing, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications.
Article Synopsis
- Pluripotent cells in mammalian embryos go through distinct stages, altering their gene expression and developmental capabilities during early development phases before and after implantation.
- Studies on cultured mouse and human pluripotent stem cells have discovered an intermediate stage called the "formative state," bridging naive and primed pluripotency.
- The research explores these findings in relation to mouse and human development and discusses how they might inform the creation of human embryo models using pluripotent cells.
Article Synopsis
- Recent advancements in in vitro cell-derived models of mammalian development, especially for human embryos, offer valuable insights into developmental biology while navigating ethical and technical challenges.
- These models could significantly enhance areas like in vitro fertilization, clinical research, and drug testing, potentially benefiting various sectors of society.
- However, the use of these technologies brings up important ethical, regulatory, and social issues that need careful examination.
Article Synopsis
- Nodal is a critical member of the TGF-β superfamily involved in key processes during mammalian embryonic development, including supporting the epiblast in mouse embryos and specifying mesendodermal and left-right asymmetry.
- In human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture, Nodal signaling is essential for maintaining stem cell properties, but due to challenges in creating active recombinant Nodal protein, Activin or TGFB1 are often used instead.
- Recent studies have revealed that Nodal signaling functions in hPSCs as part of an autocrine pathway, co-operates with GDF3, and plays a vital role in maintaining the epiblast and stem cell populations.
Article Synopsis
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly affects young and aging populations, leading to varying outcomes from mild to severe long-term effects.
- Current treatments show limited success, prompting a shift towards personalized medicine that accounts for genetic differences in recovery outcomes.
- Research involving animal models and in vitro studies seeks to identify specific genes and networks that influence recovery, aiming to create more effective therapies for TBI.
Article Synopsis
- Archetypal human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) are thought to be similar to mouse epiblast stem cells, but variability within hPSC cultures makes this comparison tricky.
- A specific subpopulation of hPSC known as ESR exhibits unique traits, including a low G1 cell cycle fraction and a distinctive metabolism that combines oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis.
- ESR cells are highly pluripotent, can differentiate into germ cell-like cells, and represent an earlier developmental stage than mouse epiblast stem cells, with different DNA methylation patterns and chromatin accessibility.