Researchers in Switzerland have engineered an artificial tissue in which human blood stem cells continue to function for several days.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/sb
The tissue, developed by scientists from the University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, and the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETHZ), mimics some of the complex biological properties of natural bone marrow niches.
Billions of blood cells are produced every day in human bone marrow. This constant supply is ensured by blood stem cells located in special niches within the marrow. These stem cells can multiply and mature into red and white blood cells, which then leave the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream.
For several years, researchers have been trying to reproduce natural bone marrow in the laboratory to better understand the mechanisms of blood formation and to develop new therapies – such as for the treatment of leukemia. However, this has proven to be extremely difficult because in conventional in vitro models the blood stem cells lose their ability to multiply and to differentiate into different types of blood cells.
The team now hope their new technique can be used to produce tailor-made solutions and further research possibilities.
“We could use bone and bone marrow cells from patients to create an in vitro model of blood diseases such as leukemia, for example. Importantly, we could do this in an environment that consists exclusively of human cells and which incorporates conditions tailored to the specific individual,” explains Professor Ivan Martin from the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland will pay CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss researchers ‘grow’ cartilage from bone marrow stem cells
This content was published on
Under normal conditions the mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from the bone marrow of adults develop into cartilage tissue which then remodels into bone tissue. This is similar to what happens after a fracture, for example. However, the researchers found they could prevent embryonic cartilage from becoming bone tissue by inhibiting the signaling pathway of a specific…
Italian and Swedish researchers win richest Swiss science prize
This content was published on
The Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine has been awarded to Antonio Lanzavecchia from the Swiss-Italian University and Christer Betsholtz from the University of Uppsala in Sweden. They will each receive CHF700,000 ($728,221), of which CHF625,000 must be spent on research. Established in 1986, the prize recognises excellence in European biomedical research. The main fields covered include…
This content was published on
Nenad Ban of the federal technology institute ETH Zurich has been selected to receive the Otto Naegeli prize for his work on ribosomes.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.