Wow. This is absolutely awesome.
Simple switch turns cells embryonic
Technique removes need for eggs or embryos.
Research reported this week by three different groups shows that normal skin cells can be reprogrammed to an embryonic state in mice. The race is now on to apply the surprisingly straightforward procedure to human cells.
If researchers succeed, it will make it relatively easy to produce cells that seem indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells, and that are genetically matched to individual patients. There are limits to how useful and safe these would be for therapeutic use in the near term, but they should quickly prove a boon in the lab.
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2
Thread: Skin Cells -> Embryonic Cells
-
June 8th, 2007 01:40 AM #1Administrator
- Join Date
- March 25th, 2001
- Location
- Washington, DC, USA
- Posts
- 12,284
Skin Cells -> Embryonic Cells
Capitalization is the difference between "I had to help my Uncle Jack off a horse." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse."
There is never a good time for lazy writing!
-
June 8th, 2007 06:42 AM #2Moderator
- Join Date
- August 8th, 2003
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Posts
- 4,210
I'm pleased, but actually not all that surprised. IIRC some research done a while back showed that every cell contains the DNA necessary for the whole organism. Congrats to the researchers!
The man who gets angry at the right things and with the right people, and in the right way and at the right time and for the right length of time, is commended. - Aristotle (but not the Aristotle you're thinking of)
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. - Albert Einstein
Mainly to keep a lid on the world's cat population. - Anon
I pressed the Ctrl key, but I'm still not in control!
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts