A study led by Boston University School of Medicine has identified a novel approach to create an unlimited number of human red blood cells and platelets in vitro. In collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Boston Medical Center (BMC), the researchers differentiated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into these cell types, which are typically obtained through blood donations. This finding could potentially reduce the need for blood donations to treat patients requiring blood transfusions and could help researchers examine novel therapeutic targets to treat a variety of diseases, including sickle cell disease.  Published online in the journal Blood, the study was led by George J. Murphy, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at BUSM and co-director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM) at Boston University and BMC and performed in collaboration with David Sherr, PhD, a professor in environmental health at BUSM and BUSPH.

Murphy Lab members Amy Leung, Sarah Rozelle and Shirley Nah visit Manchester Essex Regional High School to teach students about stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, inspiring the youth of today to pursue careers in the sciences.

Sarah Rozelle, a graduate student in the Murphy lab, is profiled on the Boston University School of Medicine webpage…click on the link to read more…

Shirley Nah, a Master’s student in the Murphy Lab, was presented a prestigious research award by David Coleman for her work involving the induced pluripotent stem cell modeling of neurodegenerative disease.

Sarah Rozelle, a 3rd year graduate student in the Murphy Lab was selected to give an oral presentation of her work at the 18th annual Globin Switching meeting held at the Asilomar Conference Center, Monterey, CA.

Boston University researchers, led by Drs. George J. Murphy and Martin Steinberg, have developed a way to test treatments for sickle cell disease – a genetic disorder of the blood – by working with pluripotent stem cells grown from a small amount of the patient’s own blood.  Click on the picture to link to the full article.

Amy Leung, Ph.D, a postdoctoral fellow in the Murphy Lab was awarded a prestigious research award following the presentation of her work at the International Symposium on Amyloidosis in Groningen, The Netherlands, 6-10 May 2012.

More Than Just Skin Deep:  Read more about the CReM Directors by clicking on this link…