Posted 08.03.2009 at 2:19 pm
6 Comments
Retina Some of these cells did not start out like the others
Researchers at the University of Florida claim to be the first to use targeted gene manipulation to take adult stem cells and change them into another kind of cell completely. They changed the stem cells, from bone marrow in this instance, into retinal cells. These retinal cells, when injected into blind mice, helped cure their blindness.
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Science, Dan Smith, blindness, eyesight, future of medicine, retina, retinal damage, stem cell research, stem cellsThe final transformation was only completed once the manipulated cells were injected back into the mouse. Once they were in the bloodstream, the body recognized the cells as those belonging in the eye, where they eventually settled. These cells replaced damaged cells on the outer layer of the retina. This is the layer that is normally damaged in diseases like macular degeneration and diabetes-related blindness. After 28 days of receiving the modified stem cells, formerly blind mice reacted to light tests the same as normal mice.
Macular degeneration is an age-related disease that affects almost 2 million people in the States alone; this could lead to the cure. But the groundbreaking process of tricking adult stem cells into becoming other cells could be even more beneficial, providing the flexible benefits of embryonic stem cells without the enduring controversy.
[via PhysOrg]
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cure the three blind mice first.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-PnT38bGvg
This research seems to be improving almost monthly with new discoveries and techniques.
Yeah, this research could definitely be profitable with all of these discoveries.
profitable? no! you're going to charge all these people who have severe health problems who probably don't have money to begin with. you're a terrible person for even suggesting it. we need to help each other out, these discoveries are made so that we can better mankind and make it possible for everyone to have the same opportunities.
save me a couple cells.
i want telescopic vision.
This stuff is amazing, especially the sheer speed of developments.
I know human trials are far off, but if I'm around when it goes commercial, with my terrible, but almost entirely correctable, eyesight, I'll try to jump right on it!
I'm also glad scientists look well along the road of developing stem cells that aren't embryonic ones, given the tremendous controversy those arouse. Though come to think of it, I suppose opponents of the use of embryonic stem cells may have a back-up of arguing that even non-embryonic ones are "Frankencells," as those opposed to genetically-modified foods shriek "FRANKENFOOD!!!"
Anyway -- to the scientists, keep on strolling. Better still, go for the gold in a hundered-yard dash!!! ;-)