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UK scientists make neural stem cell find
Source: Agencies |
September 28, 2010, Tuesday
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BRITISH scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism in the development of the nervous system that they say might one day be part of new treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's disease or brain tumors.
The scientists found that a gene, named Sox9, is key to the development of neural stem cells in the human embryo - master cells that in turn develop into brain or spinal tissue.
In experiments in mice, they found that by using the gene they could kick-start the development of these cells, raising the prospect of one day being able to replace or regenerate damaged brain cells in humans.
"With the knowledge that the gene Sox9 plays a central role in the development of our nervous system, we are one step closer to being able to control stem cells in the brain and regenerate different kinds of nerve cells," said James Briscoe from Britain's Medical Research Council, who led the study.
"Being able to correct damaged nerve cells would be a huge leap forward for the millions of people with Alzheimer's, stem cell-related brain tumors or who have suffered from a stroke," he said.
Human embryos begin to develop their nervous systems only two weeks after conception. From this stage until about five weeks, the nervous system is largely made up of so-called neuroepithelial cells, which grow rapidly and lay the foundations for brains and spinal cord.
Briscoe's team found that Sox9 is needed for the neuroepithelial cells to turn into the stem cells that make up the central nervous system.
The scientists found that a gene, named Sox9, is key to the development of neural stem cells in the human embryo - master cells that in turn develop into brain or spinal tissue.
In experiments in mice, they found that by using the gene they could kick-start the development of these cells, raising the prospect of one day being able to replace or regenerate damaged brain cells in humans.
"With the knowledge that the gene Sox9 plays a central role in the development of our nervous system, we are one step closer to being able to control stem cells in the brain and regenerate different kinds of nerve cells," said James Briscoe from Britain's Medical Research Council, who led the study.
"Being able to correct damaged nerve cells would be a huge leap forward for the millions of people with Alzheimer's, stem cell-related brain tumors or who have suffered from a stroke," he said.
Human embryos begin to develop their nervous systems only two weeks after conception. From this stage until about five weeks, the nervous system is largely made up of so-called neuroepithelial cells, which grow rapidly and lay the foundations for brains and spinal cord.
Briscoe's team found that Sox9 is needed for the neuroepithelial cells to turn into the stem cells that make up the central nervous system.
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