More on atem cell research

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

More news on existing tests of stem cell research (still on rats only as

it is in the USA). Remember that using this technology on humans is

presently banned by presidential order and FDA rules in the USA.

Lifting the Presidential order would allow trying to develop new

technology to use it on humans.

Take care, Bill Werre

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2444673.stm

" The next challenge will be to see if the neurons can actually make the

right contact to the right targets "

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Professor Ping Wu, University of Texas

Previous attempts to replace damaged nerve cells have failed, with only

a few cells developing into neurons.

By treating the stem cells with chemicals, the scientists succeeded in

changing them into neurons.

But despite this advance the researchers say there is still a long way

to go before stem cells will lead to new treatments for humans.

Priming cells

Stem cell research is being hailed by many scientists as the tool that

could give rise to cures for diseases where cells are damaged in the

brain and the spinal cord.

But a major obstacle to this has been that only a few stem cells become

neurons when placed in most brain areas.

Now though, new research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience

may have overcome this.

Scientists from the University of Texas, US, have pre-treated human

embryonic stem cells with a mixture of chemicals needed for nerve cell

development.

The following day they injected these cells into the central nervous

system of healthy rats and the primed cells then developed into exactly

the right type of neurons for the area that they were implanted into.

Professor Ping Wu from the University of Texas said: " This priming seems

to get the cells into a plastic intermediate stage, and then after

they're injected they acquire environmental cues and become specific

kinds of neurons according to where they're located. "

Clinical trials

The researchers are continuing their work and are now injecting the

primed cells into rats with spinal cord injuries.

" The next challenge will be to see if the neurons can actually make the

right contact to the right targets - for example, if motor neurons are

transplanted into the spinal cord, whether they can send fibres, or

axons, to muscle, " Professor Wu said.

But there are still many stages to overcome before treatments for human

conditions can begin to be developed.

" Then we'll see if they can release the neurotransmitters, and then look

at function to see if there is a long-term functional recovery.

" We also need to confirm that there is no tumour formation from the

implanted stem cells. Then we're talking about real clinical

significance and real clinical trials. "

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

More news on existing tests of stem cell research (still on rats only as

it is in the USA). Remember that using this technology on humans is

presently banned by presidential order and FDA rules in the USA.

Lifting the Presidential order would allow trying to develop new

technology to use it on humans.

Take care, Bill Werre

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2444673.stm

" The next challenge will be to see if the neurons can actually make the

right contact to the right targets "

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Professor Ping Wu, University of Texas

Previous attempts to replace damaged nerve cells have failed, with only

a few cells developing into neurons.

By treating the stem cells with chemicals, the scientists succeeded in

changing them into neurons.

But despite this advance the researchers say there is still a long way

to go before stem cells will lead to new treatments for humans.

Priming cells

Stem cell research is being hailed by many scientists as the tool that

could give rise to cures for diseases where cells are damaged in the

brain and the spinal cord.

But a major obstacle to this has been that only a few stem cells become

neurons when placed in most brain areas.

Now though, new research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience

may have overcome this.

Scientists from the University of Texas, US, have pre-treated human

embryonic stem cells with a mixture of chemicals needed for nerve cell

development.

The following day they injected these cells into the central nervous

system of healthy rats and the primed cells then developed into exactly

the right type of neurons for the area that they were implanted into.

Professor Ping Wu from the University of Texas said: " This priming seems

to get the cells into a plastic intermediate stage, and then after

they're injected they acquire environmental cues and become specific

kinds of neurons according to where they're located. "

Clinical trials

The researchers are continuing their work and are now injecting the

primed cells into rats with spinal cord injuries.

" The next challenge will be to see if the neurons can actually make the

right contact to the right targets - for example, if motor neurons are

transplanted into the spinal cord, whether they can send fibres, or

axons, to muscle, " Professor Wu said.

But there are still many stages to overcome before treatments for human

conditions can begin to be developed.

" Then we'll see if they can release the neurotransmitters, and then look

at function to see if there is a long-term functional recovery.

" We also need to confirm that there is no tumour formation from the

implanted stem cells. Then we're talking about real clinical

significance and real clinical trials. "