New research out of the Lillehei Heart Institute at the University of Minnesota shows that by turning on just a single gene, Mesp1, different cell types including the heart, blood and muscle can be created from stem cells. The study was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

“Previous research indicated that this gene was the “master regulator” for development of the heart, and that its activity prevented the differentiation of other cell types,” said Michael Kyba, Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Pediatrics and a Lillehei endowed scholar. “Our work reveals that this gene acts differently, and that it plays a role in the development of blood and skeletal muscle as well.  The outcome depends on the chemical signals that cells expressing this factor sense in their environment.”

Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Lillehei Heart Institute have combined genetic repair with cellular reprogramming to generate stem cells capable of muscle regeneration in a mouse model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

The research, which provides proof-of-principle for the feasibility of combining induced pluripotent stem cell technology and genetic correction to treat muscular dystrophy, could present a major step forward in autologous cell-based therapies for DMD and similar conditions and should pave the way for testing the approach in reprogrammed human pluripotent cells from muscular dystrophy patients.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and the Lillehei Heart Institute have utilized molecular genetic engineering to optimize heart performance in models of diastolic heart failure by creating an optimized protein that can aid in high-speed relaxation similar to fast twitching muscles.

The newest addition to the University of Minnesota’s Biomedical Discovery District (BDD) – our Cancer/Cardiovascular Building – continues to progress toward completion.

When complete, the Lillehei Heart Institute and the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology will relocate 20-25 investigators to the facility to continue their work in cardiac regeneration, cardiac development, muscular dystrophy, congenital heart medicine and genomics.

Going forward, the groups plan to add nearly four investigators per year to the new building.

The Masonic Cancer Center plans to utilize the new space for two specific groups of investigators: chemical biologists focusing on studying chemical carcinogens as a cause of cancer and faculty focusing on novel new therapeutic strategies to fight cancer.

The arrangements will build on collaborations already underway with researchers in two other Biomedical Discovery District buildings – the Winston and Maxine Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (WMBB) and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR).

By relocating researchers to the new facility, both Lillehei Heart Institute and Masonic Cancer Center researchers will capitalize on existing partnerships while expanding into the type of laboratory space required for a new era of scientific discovery.

Stay tuned to Health Talk for more on the Biomedical Discovery District going forward.

Today is the culmination of 10 weeks of intensive research and learning for a group of select scholars on the University of Minnesota campus.

Twelve students from both high school and college programs are completing their work in the Lillehei Heart Institute (LHI) Summer Research Scholars Program.

This highly competitive program is designed to inspire the brightest students to choose a career in cardiovascular science and medicine.

“The University of Minnesota has led the world in cardiovascular medicine. With this program, we intend to build the future leaders in cardiovascular medicine and science,” said Mary Garry, Ph.D., LHI Summer Scholars program director.