Yale and UConn Report Stem Cell Breakthrough

Yale University and the University of Connecticut reported today that the gene group Lin28 has been discovered to enhance stem cell growth and survival.

The research teams credited a $100 million grant approved by the Connecticut Legislature in 2005 to fund stem cell research over a decade as crucial in making the breakthrough possible.

“This is a fine example of how our state’s funding can bring researchers from different institutions in the state together to generate synergy,” said Haifan Lin, professor of cell biology and of genetics, and director of the Yale Stem Cell Center.

Lin28, previously known to allow mature human cells to develop into stem cells, was seen to activate targeted groups of genetic molecules called messenger RNAs inside cells in order to create proteins vital to maintaining stem cell function and survival.

“We knew that Lin28 affects the expression of some important microRNAs,” said Gordon Carmichael, professor of genetics and developmental biology at the University of Connecticut. “But we were surprised to find that it is doing something we didn’t expect it to do. What Lin28 is doing is making all these stem cells work better. It’s improving cell metabolism, helping those cells that are weaker survive.”

The human embryonic stem cells used in the study were provided by Yale’s Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture Core Laboratory in New Haven, the press release issued by the universities said.

Yingqun Huang, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, supervised the research in collaboration with Carmichael.

“Without a doubt, this study would have been impossible without the close collaboration of investigators at both UConn and Yale, under the guidance and vision of Dr. Huang,” Carmichael added.