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Stem cells

Stem cells
Stem cells are biological cells found in all multi-cellular organisms, that can divide into diverse specialised cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells. Human adult stem cells are routinely used in medical therapies, for example in bone marrow transplants. Stem cells can also be artificially grown and transformed into specialised cell types with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves.
Why the science behind Kim Kardashian’s “vampire facial” remains popular – from platelet-rich plasma therapy to extracting stem cells after liposuction to be used in regenerative treatments. Photo: Getty Images
Beauty

Remember Kim Kardashian’s ‘vampire facial’? A look at regenerative skincare

Forget surface treatments: a new wave of skincare is harnessing the body’s own biological materials – from blood and fat to stem cells – to encourage natural regeneration and rejuvenation from within.

Wellness

For those struggling with severe or chronic pain, stem cell therapy may offer relief

Japan

Japanese stem cell research helps treat spinal injuries

Education in Hong Kong

Outgoing CUHK head to focus on medical research, remain involved in academia

Rocky Tuan also cites navigating the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the most unforgettable experiences during his tenure.

Professor Rocky Tuan delivers a speech during the 94th congregation ceremony at the university in November of last year. Photo: Elson Li
Wellness

Snake gut secrets unlocked by new study may help treat human diseases

Research on how pythons regenerate their guts may open door to treatment for Crohn’s and coeliac diseases, colorectal cancer, even diabetes.

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Science

Type 1 diabetes reversed in Chinese woman using reprogrammed stem cells

25-year-old with chronic condition for over a decade has no need for external insulin some 2½ months from minimally invasive surgery.

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Science

Chinese scientists hope panda stem cell breakthrough can help species survive

Researchers have created a type of self-renewing cell that could help future research and preserve vital genetic resources.

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There are thought to be just 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild. Photo: Xinhua
Beauty

Review | Why you should book this stem cell-based facial at W Hong Kong’s Bliss Spa

Bliss Spa at the W Hong Kong uses exclusive products from Swiss skincare brand Cell Premium that features stem cell technology – so what’s the facial treatment like?

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | Why storing cord blood is becoming popular in Hong Kong and is it necessary?

Doctors at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital are treating a five-year-old girl using cord blood transferred from Guangdong province.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong receives second cross-border cord blood transfer to treat girl, 5

Doctors at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, where the girl is being treated, expect stem cell transplant to be ready as soon as October.

Hong Kong Children’s Hospital in Kai Tak. The blood cord transfer is a first for the hospital and the second for the city. Photo: Jelly Tse
Trending in China

Special university graduation for China student who was donating stem cells

A brave, caring student in China who could not attend graduation day with his peers because he was saving a life, was given a special individual ceremony.

A life-saving university student in China has been given a special lone graduation ceremony because he missed the official event due to the fact that he was donating stem cells. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/jcu.edu.cn
Science

Chinese team reports patient’s diabetes cured with cell therapy in world first

A breakthrough cell therapy in Shanghai is reported to have cured a man’s diabetes, giving hope to other sufferers.

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Singapore

Asian parents on edge after Singapore stem cell bank ruins thousands of samples

The scandal now engulfing Cordlife Group Ltd. has implications across the region, given its operations in Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.

Science

Chinese team tests lung treatment that may be first to reverse COPD damage

Paper follows statement by Zuo Wei that ‘stem cell and progenitor cell-based regenerative medicine may be the biggest, if not the only, hope to cure COPD’.

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In a Chinese study, 17 patients with varying stages of COPD who received the team’s therapy had no serious adverse side effects and the team did not observe signs of tumour formation in the patients six months after transplant. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

Scientists create human embryo models without sperm or egg

The advancement offers hope for research on miscarriage and birth defects but also raises fresh ethical concerns.

Scientists have used stem cells to create structures that resemble human embryos in the lab. File photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Singapore to get lab-grown sausages that take just 8 days to cultivate

Meatable is betting that its use of patented stem-cell technology that can rapidly grow slaughter-free sausages will give it an edge over other cultivated meat start-ups.

Wellness

No more dialysis or wait for donor organs? Huge kidney disease breakthrough

Synthetic kidney transplants could begin within 10 years thanks to a Hollywood lawyer who couldn’t get answers after suffering renal failure, and funded research that in 2022 led to a big breakthrough.

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Science

Lab-grown human embryo models spark calls for regulation

Scientists have used stem cells to create structures that resemble human embryos in the lab, in a first that has prompted calls for stricter regulation in the rapidly advancing field.

Researchers have pushed back against media reports calling their human embryo models ‘synthetic embryos’. File photo: Shuttestock
Science

China grows blood stem cells in groundbreaking space experiment: scientists

Cells cultivated on Tiangong space station’s lab module return to Earth, where they will continue to be tested and analysed, laying foundation for more studies on regenerative medicine in space, researchers say.

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Science

Team behind extreme animal gene experiment eyes human nuclear resistance

Modified human embryonic stem cells showed supernatural resistance against radiation, according to Academy of Military Sciences team in Beijing.

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Science

Scientists create baby mice from 2 males for first time

This raises the distant possibility of doing the same for people – although no one knows whether the same technique would work in human stem cells.

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The research is the latest to test new ways to create mouse embryos in the lab. File photo: Shutterstock
Disease

Man cured of HIV after stem cell transplant in Germany

The 53-year-old, known as the Düsseldorf Patient, is just the third person worldwide to be cured of the condition using the stem cell treatment.

A nurse holds a ribbon in support of HIV and Aids awareness. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Will premium lab-grown caviar and foie gras be biotech’s newest gold mine?

Lab-grown caviar and foie gras could be biotech’s newest gold mine, as industry experts say, ‘being ethical is the new luxury’ – here’s what you need to know

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Healthcare start-ups eye investors at Hong Kong’s global health summit

About 180 local and overseas healthcare start-ups to showcase innovations at Asia Summit on Global Health.

Science

Chinese scientists study axolotl’s ability to regenerate for human health

Scientist says ultimate research goal is to introduce stem cells to injured human brain tissue locally to restart any regeneration genes.

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Chinese scientists whose study of the axolotl’s ability to regenerate cells after injury was published in Science journal say their findings have the potential to help improve the regenerative capability of mammalian and human brains in the future. Photo: BGI
Business of climate change

How climate crisis stirred Hong Kong architect to launch lab-grown fish firm

Learning how pollution and overfishing are damaging marine ecosystems and how the nascent business of using stem cells to grow meat was gaining traction prompted Carrie Chan to launch Avant Meats.

Learning how pollution and overfishing are damaging marine ecosystems prompted Carrie Chan to launch a company specialising in lab-grown seafood. Illustration by Perry Tse
Science

Chinese team claim stem cell breakthrough in mice study

Researchers say they turned one type of stem cell into another that can develop into all types in the body.

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Science

Scientists rejuvenate skin of 53-year-old woman, make cells 30 years younger

Researchers hope the rejuvenation method could see applications like speeding up healing time in burn victims, and eventually extending human life.

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