What: Researchers have found a new cell transformation method which turns blood cells into beating heart cells without the use of viruses. Scientists shock stem cells to create a gateway which allows them to inject a plasmid which add genes to the cells, turning them into induced pluripotent stem cells. Scientists then use a nutrient and growth factor broth to create beating heart cells.
Who: Johns Hopkins postdoctoral scientist Paul Burridge wanted to determine if cardiac cells could be created without a viral vector. He and other Johns Hopkins scientists performed the study.
The Future: Researchers hope the cells can be used to test cardiac medicines and even be grafted into the hearts of patients who have suffered heart attacks.
-compiled by Haley McKey
Read More
U.Va. students and physicians team up for another year of free kidney screenings
By Merrill Hart | November 5, 2024Saturday’s screening marked the first by KDSAP at Portico Church, near IX Art Park.
U.Va. Health sees a spike in COVID-19 cases
By Emily Horn | September 4, 2023U.Va. Health ended their vaccination requirements in August, and masks were made optional in most hospital areas in early April.
U.Va. Cancer Center harnesses $12 million grant to support opportunities for undergraduates, ongoing research and new center
By Ellen Wu | January 12, 2023The grant provides an opportunity to establish the Center for Systems Analysis of Stress-Adapted Cancer Organelles, which seeks to find the cause of cancer in individual organelles.
