Stem Cells: Nanog

From: Spudboy100@aol.com
Date: Fri May 30 2003 - 08:32:22 MDT

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    Story from BBC NEWS:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/2949460.stm

    Published: 2003/05/30 09:47:41 GMT

    Super cell discovery raises hopes
    Scientists have identified a molecule that allows special cells from embryos,
    called stem cells, to multiply without limit. The UK researchers have dubbed
    the molecule Nanog, after the mythological Celtic land of the ever young.

    Stem cells found in embryos are special because they can turn into almost any
    type of cell in the body, whether it is a heart cell, skin cell or brain
    cell.

    Research into these cells is expected to lead to revolutionary new treatments
    for a range of conditions from Parkinson's Disease to heart failure and
    diabetes.

    But the work is controversial because it involves using cells taken from
    embryos.

    Key discovery

    This discovery by a team at the Institute for Stem Cell Research at Edinburgh
    University could help to overcome that problem.

    Their finding could ultimately enable scientists to transform stem cells from
    adults into cells that have all the characteristics of those taken from
    embryos.

    Nanog seems to be a master gene
    Dr Ian Chambers
    Dr Ian Chambers, who isolated the molecule, said: "Nanog seems to be a master
    molecule that makes embryonic stem cells grow in the laboratory. "In effect,
    this makes stem cells immortal. Being Scottish, I therefore chose the name
    after the Tir na nOg legend."

    Professor Austin Smith, who heads the Edinburgh research team, described the
    finding as exciting.

    He said the discovery unlocked the secrets of embryonic stem cells.

    "This new molecule that we call Nanog, or forever young, is expressed only in
    these embryonic stem cells.

    "This molecule alone is powerful enough to define these cells as embryonic
    stem cells. It is the master molecule."

    He said the discovery could help scientists to develop treatments for a
    variety of conditions.

    "If Nanog has the same effect in humans as we have found in mice, this will
    be a key step in developing embryonic stem cells for medical treatments."

    The findings were published in the journal Cell, alongside another paper by
    researchers from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan.

    The two groups realised they discovered the same molecule last year and have
    since collaborated to bring this work to completion.



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