Microscope For Phase Contrast

Fetal Stem Cells to Cure Stroke

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:19:18 +0000

It was recently reported that a team of British scientists have conducted a study with the objective to repair the damaged brains of stroke patients with the use of stem cells extracted from aborted fetuses.

Stroke is the rapid loss of brain function caused by an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain. This results to lack of oxygen and glucose supplies to the brain. Stroke is a medical emergency that can result to permanent brain damage or may even be fatal if not diagnosed and treated immediately. It is said to become the leading cause of death around the world in the coming years. (more…)

Stem Cells May Cure Diabetes

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:14:44 +0000

A new study has been conducted, giving hope to diabetes sufferers. New methods have been discovered to free patients from the burden of taking insulin shots everyday. A recent study made was conducted to fifteen patients with Type One Diabetes. Type One Diabetes is occurs when the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system of the patient. Results of the said study showed that the patients were able to overcome their insulin dependence after being treated with the use of their own stem cells. (more…)

Synthetic Viruses in Gene Therapies

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:11:00 +0000

Genetic defects cause cancer and many other life-threatening diseases because such damaged genes prevent the normal functions of the body. These mutated genes prevent the normal functions and other activities of the said genes. As such, gene therapies are employed in order to correct such defective functions. With the use of viruses in gene therapies, healthy genes can replace their defective counterparts in cells. Viruses became the media to embed such corrective genes. (more…)

Protein Disrupts Muscle Repair

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:05:50 +0000

In a study conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine, researchers found out the communication lines of the stem cells of the muscles weaken as the body ages. As such, injured muscles take a long time to heal. The said researchers have discovered a medium in order for muscle stem cells to receive work orders for repair. The solution to this is a protein that was traditionally responsible for promoting maintenance and proliferation of stem cells in many tissues called Wnt. When such protein is found in damaged or aging cells, it blocks proper communication. (more…)

Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:00:59 +0000

A new research from the University at Buffalo Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering announced that tissue engineered blood vessels that have been constructed from the bone marrow adult stem cells may serve as a patient’s own source of new blood vessels in the future. This is achieved through a coronary bypass or other procedures for vessel replacement. (more…)