Featured Videos
The Institute for Cell Engineering (ICE) at Johns Hopkins
Neuroscientist Valina Dawson introduces the Institute for Cell Engineering (ICE), where researchers are working to solve problems such as transplant rejection, Parkinson's disease, and coronary artery disease using regenerative medicine.
The Immunobiology Program at Johns Hopkins’ Institute for Cell Engineering
Stephen Desiderio introduces the Immunobiology Program, where scientists study how our immune system works and look for ways to bolster it.
The Vascular Biology Program at Johns Hopkins' Institute for Cell Engineering
Researcher Gregg Semenza introduces the Vascular Biology Program, where scientists trace cells as they move through the body and study the relationship between low-oxygen conditions, blood vessel growth, and cancer.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Neurons That Control Biological Rhythms and Sleep - Dr. Seth Blackshaw
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: The hypothalamus is a cherry-sized part of the brain that serves as the master regulator of many behaviors, including biological rhythms, sleeping and eating. Dr. Seth Blackshaw’s lab has identified genes that control the formation of neurons in the hypothalamus that control biological rhythms and sleep, paving the way for therapies for sleep disorders, obesity and diabetes.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Using Nanoparticles to Reduce the Need for Biopsies - Dr. Jeff Bulte
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: When he was 7, Dr. Jeff Bulte discovered the beauty of cells when he received a microscope for Christmas. Today, he uses magnetic nanoparticles to make transplanted stem cells visible in patients, which could reduce the need for invasive biopsies.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Treating Diseases by Understanding Cell Identity | Patrick Cahan, Ph.D.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Biomedical engineer Patrick Cahan studies the molecular basis of cell type identity. He is making a tool that measures how closely cells grown in a lab mimic those in our bodies, which could help pave the way to replacing damaged tissue and more effectively studying diseases in the lab. The tool will also help him detect how cancer rewires the normal circuitry of a cell.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Improving Bone Marrow Transplants - Dr. Linzhao Cheng
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Using engineered stem cells, Dr. Linzhao Cheng is working to develop improved methods for bone marrow transplants and blood transfusions. Recently, his group helped to overcome one of the greatest hurdles of stem cell therapies: how to produce large numbers of potent human stem cells.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Keeping Memories Safe - Dr. Ted Dawson
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Neurons store our memories and control all aspects of our bodily functions; they are what make us human. Dr. Ted Dawson’s research focuses on the culprits that kill neurons. His hope is to find ways to prevent the loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other brain disorders.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Using Human Neurons to Prevent Brain Injury - Dr. Valina Dawson
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Millions of Americans suffer from brain injury because of stroke or diseases. Using lab-grown human neurons, Dr. Valina Dawson is working to identify what causes brain cell death. Her research may lead to new treatments to prevent brain injury.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Understanding the Immune System— Dr. Joel Pomerantz
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Better understanding white blood cells and the body’s immune response may help researchers detect and fight cancer. Dr. Joel Pomerantz and his team at Johns Hopkins study the immune system to this end.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Giving Immune Response a Nano-Boost— Dr. Jonathan Schneck
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Can a custom-built white blood cell avoid suppression by cancer and boost our immune system? Dr. Jonathan Schneck has developed “artificial antigen-presenting cells” and is working to put them to use in the clinic.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Chemotherapy-Resistant Breast Cancer Stem Cells - Dr. Gregg Semenza
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: While chemotherapy attacks and kills 99 percent of breast cancer cells, it leaves behind chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells, which can later cause metastatic tumors. Dr. Gregg Semenza’s team has identified a way to overcome the resistance of cancer stem cells to chemotherapy, completely eradicating breast tumors in mice.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Using MRI to Repair Brain Damage - Dr. Piotr Walczak
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Experiments have shown that stem cells are capable of repairing brain damage caused by diseases such as multiple sclerosis or stroke. Using noninvasive imaging, such as MRI, Dr. Piotr Walczak can monitor stem cell therapy to see where transplanted cells are, which may help in developing more effective therapies for patients.
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Using Stem Cells to Treat Blood Disorders - Dr. Elias Zambidis
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Dr. Elias Zambidis cares for children suffering from leukemia and other blood disorders. His laboratory studies human pluripotent stem cells, which may one day be used to treat not only blood disorders, but also heart disease, vascular disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Magnetizing Cells for Tracking | Science: Out of the Box
Although it has great potential for treating cancer, spinal cord injuries, diabetes and many other serious diseases, there are challenges to making stem cell therapy a reality. Watch cell imaging specialist Jeff Bulte explain his pioneering work in tracking stem cells in the body — and how it can help lead to better stem cell treatments by reporting stem cells’ location and whether they are still alive.
