RCERT-Regional Cell Research & Therapy Centre, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, Kampar (2026)

11/08/2026

𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻?

Calling out all orthopedicians and patients that are struggling with chronic knee pain!

Join us in an enlightening talk on the latest advancement of regenerative option for knee health with our prominent guest and speaker, Dr. Murugeaswaran.

Should you have any inquiries, please contact us using the details provided in the poster below.

See you this coming 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟴𝗽𝗺!

23/07/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day such an enjoyable one. Until next time—let's keep pushing boundaries, one discovery at a time! 🚀

16/07/2026

𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼-𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀: 𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
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Dry eye disease affects millions worldwide, yet current treatments mainly relieve symptoms rather than addressing the underlying inflammation.

A newly published study explored exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs)—tiny extracellular vesicles that carry powerful biological signals possessing competent therapeutics characteristics to their parent cells.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

• Exosomes significantly 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 in corneal cells exposed to dry eye conditions.
• In the mouse model, exosome treatment 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚, and lowered inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17a.
• These therapeutic effects were driven by 𝙢𝙞𝙍-146𝙖, a microRNA that regulates inflammatory pathways by modulating SQSTM1, helping protect the ocular surface from chronic inflammatory injury.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵

Unlike artificial tears that primarily lubricate the eye, exosome-based therapy aims to modulate the disease process itself by calming inflammation, preventing excessive cell death, and supporting tissue repair.

𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

While these findings are currently limited to laboratory and animal studies, they provide exciting evidence that cell-free regenerative medicine could become a promising future strategy for treating chronic dry eye disease. The future of eye care may not just be about replacing tears – it may be about restoring ocular health at the molecular level. A clinical translation of this framework would provide more insights on their efficacy in dry eye disease in humans.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:
Chen, L. et al. (2025) “Exosomal miR-146a derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviates inflammation and apoptosis in dry eye disease by targeting SQSTM1,” Experimental Eye Research, 258, p. 110490. Available at: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2025.110490

09/07/2026

RCERT is back with another sequel in the 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 series!

For the 3rd time, 𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 will be with us again, in 𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐢 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 to share their new technology on real-time nanoparticle visualization. The workshop is 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 and everyone is welcomed. Register yourself ASAP as the 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 are 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝!

You may scan the QR code on the poster or click on the link below for registration.
https://forms.gle/UhSpEAQ45ttpCZxW9

03/04/2026

Cheers to another milestone!

RCERT Central has officially joint venture with UTAR establishing a collaborative 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 turning the vision of translational medicine into reality. This research hub will play a pivotal role in upcoming projects and clinical trials bridging the academia and medicine field.

04/03/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?
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A 2025 randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Cell Transplantation explored whether a single injection of donor-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) into the knee joint could make a difference.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗱

24 patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive:

• A single injection of allogeneic (donor) BM-MSCs, or
• A placebo (saline).

Patients were followed for 12 months and below are the parameters measured during the course.

∆ Pain and function scores (VAS, WOMAC, KOOS)

∆ MRI scans using advanced T2 cartilage mapping to assess cartilage quality

∆ Safety and side effects

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀?

𝟭. 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 & 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

∆ At 9 months, the stem cell group showed significantly 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 in 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 scores compared to placebo.
∆ However, differences between groups were less clear by 12 months, suggesting effects may diminish over time.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗠𝗥𝗜 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲)

MRI T2 mapping showed that cartilage in the stem cell group had a 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 in 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, particularly in the medial (inner) knee compartment — the area most commonly affected in OA.

This suggests a 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 on cartilage structure over 12 months.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆
• 𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 were reported.
• Some patients experienced temporary knee pain or swelling after injection.
• A few required additional treatments (e.g., corticosteroid injection), but no hospitalisations occurred.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻?

This study suggests that a single intra-articular injection of donor BM-MSCs may:

• Provide meaningful 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳
• Potentially 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (based on MRI findings)
• Be 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 in a controlled clinical setting
However:
• Benefits appeared strongest at 9 months, not clearly sustained at 12 months.

This implies that 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 might 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 to sustain a prolonged effect or improvement in the knee OA which raises the question, will 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 do 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸?

Well, that is the direction researchers shall be heading towards determining the optimal dosing frequencies to preserve the regenerative effects.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Lee B-W, Lee JJ, Jung J-Y, Ju JH. Intra-Articular Injection of Human Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial. Cell Transplantation. 2025;34. doi:10.1177/09636897241303275

06/02/2026

On 29th January 2026, RCERT has again co-organised the microscopy event but this time around in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

We're anticipating sequels of this event in near future so stay tuned!

29/01/2026

On 27th January 2026, RCERT Central Sdn Bhd had successfully co-organised an event which features the microscopy technology brought about by TIRS Optics Co., Ltd.

This educative workshop had assembled researchers and students from undergraduate to postgraduate whom desire to enhance their competency in research specifically in the nanoparticles field.

The good responses from the participants call for more such events in the future which we are delighted to organise.

23/01/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 - 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) doesn’t just damage the kidneys—it disrupts the mitochondria, the energy factories that tubular cells rely on to survive and repair. New research reveals a crucial molecular protector working behind the scenes: 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚, a circular RNA.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱?

- 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 levels drop sharply in AKI—across ischemia, sepsis, and drug-induced injury.
- This loss leads to mitochondrial failure, excess oxidative stress, inflammation, and ultimately renal fibrosis.
- Restoring 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 helps kidney cells recover by rebalancing mitochondrial homeostasis.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝙘𝙞𝙧𝙘𝘼𝘼𝙎𝙎 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?

- In the cytoplasm, 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 boosts mitophagy (the clearance of damaged mitochondria).
- In the nucleus, it stabilizes a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, ensuring new, healthy mitochondria are made.
- Together, these actions protect kidney cells from apoptosis, dampen inflammation, and limit fibrosis.

Though this study highlights the importance of 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 in protecting the kidney, their importance still revolves around safeguarding and preserving the mitochondria. In other words, interrupting the AKI-to-CKD progression—still relies on getting the cell’s energy balance fixed.

Mitochondrial health isn’t just cellular housekeeping—it could be the key to preventing chronic kidney disease. Therefore, with reference to previous articles posted, mitochondrial therapy could be a potential treatment or a complementary to 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 expression modulation. However, we shall expect more studies to partake in the demonstration of the mitochondrial therapy efficiency.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Ma, T., Yu, Y., Luo, H., Zhang, Z., Wei, M., Tian, C., Fan, X., Yan, Z., Zhang, S., Hao, J., & Wang, P. (2026). CircAASS alleviates renal injury and fibrosis by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis in tubular epithelial cells. Autophagy, 22(1), 182–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2025.2581212

#𝘼𝙆𝙄 #𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙮 #𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙮𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙𝙮𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 #𝙍𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙏

22/01/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?
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A newly published study explores a bold, science-driven idea: intra-articular mitochondrial transplantation as a future therapy for osteoarthritis (OA). Chondrocytes in damaged cartilage often suffer from mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to poor energy production, inflammation, and tissue breakdown. Restoring mitochondrial health could help restore cellular balance.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼?

- Developed a rapid, high-purity method to isolate viable mitochondria from healthy tissue.
- Injected these mitochondria directly into joint environments.
- Tested safety, distribution, and survival using both in vitro (cartilage & synovium explants) and in vivo (mouse knee joint) models.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱?

- Transplanted mitochondria remained viable and functional.
- They were detected in cartilage, synovium, and joint extracellular matrix.
- No evidence of migration to distant organs.
- No signs of local toxicity, inflammation, or structural damage—even weeks after injection.

In previous post, we have seen how 𝗲𝘅𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 help recovery in OA patients. Newly administered 𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖 are equally effective where they focus on assisting the existing cells reestablish themselves and function normally to 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 while the 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 works on 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

This opens speculation on what will happen if these treatments are combined. Will they pose synergistic effect as we anticipate or vice versa? The science should answer.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Vaamonde-Garcia, C.; Hermida-Gomez, T.; Paniagua-Barro, S.; Burguera, E.F.; Blanco, F.J.; Fernandez-Moreno, M. In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of the Feasibility and Safety Profiles of Intraarticular Transplantation of Mitochondria for Future Use as a Therapy for Osteoarthritis. 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 2025, 14, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14030151

#𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰 #𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢 #𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘺 #𝘖𝘈 #𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 #𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴 #𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘙𝘛

RCERT-Regional Cell Research & Therapy Centre

11/08/2026

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16/07/2026

09/07/2026

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29/01/2026

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