Stem cells that might save a baby’s life and be utilized to treat illnesses like lymphoma and leukemia are found in the umbilical cord of newborns. Because of this, many new parents decide to preserve (“bank”) the umbilical cord blood’s abundant stem cells for their child. However, since gestational diabetes destroys stem cells and makes them useless, parents are not given this choice in the 6 to 15% of pregnancies who are impacted by the illness.

In a study that will be published in the journal Communications Biology, bioengineers at the University of Notre Dame have now shown that a new approach may heal the injured stem cells and allow them to once again grow new tissues. [1]

Figure 1. New Invention Restores Life-Saving Cells

Figure 1 shows Specially-created nanoparticles are the key component of this new strategy. Each spherical nanoparticle may store medication and deliver it specifically to the stem cells by attaching it to the surface of the cells. These nanoparticles are about 150 nanometers in diameter or about a fourth of the size of a red blood cell. The particles deliver the medication gradually as a result of their unique tuning, which makes them very effective even at very low dosages.

Donny Hanjaya-Putra, an assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering in the bioengineering graduate program at Notre Dame who directs the lab where the study was conducted, described the process using an analogy. “Each stem cell is like a soldier. It is smart and effective; it knows where to go and what to do. But the ‘soldiers’ we are working with are injured and weak. By providing them with this nanoparticle ‘backpack,’ we are giving them what they need to work effectively again.” [2]

The main test for the new “backpack”-equipped stem cells was whether or not they could form new tissues. Hanjaya-Putra and his team tested damaged cells without “backpacks” and observed that they moved slowly and formed imperfect tissues. But when Hanjaya-Putra and his team applied “backpacks,” previously damaged stem cells began forming new blood vessels, both when inserted in synthetic polymers and when implanted under the skin of lab mice, two environments meant to simulate the conditions of the human body. [3]

The researchers hope their approach will be used to repair cells damaged by other types of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. “Rather than discarding stem cells,” Hanjaya-Putra said, “we hope that in the future, clinicians will be able to rejuvenate them and use them to regenerate the body.” For example, an infant born prematurely due to preeclampsia may need to stay in the intensive care unit with an imperfectly formed lung. We hope our technology can improve this child’s developmental outcomes.” [4]

References:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/new-invention-restores-life-saving-cells/
2. https://publicnewstime.com/news/sports/yanks-dietrich-1-of-5-suspended-minor-leaguers/
3. https://quicktelecast.com/new-invention-restores-life-saving-cells/
4. https://industry-update.com/new-invention-regenerates-life-saving-cells/101414/

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), New Invention Restores Life-Saving Cells, AnaTechMaz, pp.76