Summary
Scientists in Scotland were able to grow sustainable nerve stem cells for the first time, which could help treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Original source:
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=1791412005
Details
SCIENTISTS in Edinburgh have created the world's first clutch of nerve stem cells in what could prove to be a major breakthrough in the race to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
By changing the growth conditions for the cells, the Edinburgh and Milan labs have for the first time established pure stem cell divisions.
The long-term aim of the research is that the cells will be used to build replacement neural tissue for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's sufferers.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder with no known cause or cure, and Parkinson's a disorder of the nervous system.
The most likely immediate use for the artificially-created cells is to test out the effectiveness of new drugs.
Stem Cell Sciences plc (SCS) is the Edinburgh-based stem cell company which gained the licence to the new technology to derive and grow neural stem cells.
Chief executive officer Dr Peter Mountford said: "Being able to grow pure brain cells is an exciting prospect for the company.
"SCS sees new business opportunities in both cell-based drug discovery and cell-based therapies for neurological disorders."
The company's chief science officer, Dr Tim Allsopp, added: "The remarkable stability and purity of the cells is something unique in the field of tissue stem cells and a great step forward.
Stem cells are "master" cells that can become many kinds of tissue, while nerve stem cells are those which help build the brain and central nervous system.
Previous attempts at creating the nerve cells have produced contaminated samples that have not been scientifically useful.
And the breakthrough comes three months after
scientists at Newcastle University announced they had successfully produced a cloned embryo using donated eggs and genetic material from stem cells.
It was the first time a human cloned embryo had been created in Britain.
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Friday, August 26, 2005
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