Detecting a new characteristic of embryonic stem cells

VNA leads new research results published by McMaster University scientists, has discovered a new characteristic of the original embryonic cells, opening up the prospect that can orient the development process of the international type this cell.

The lead researcher, Professor Mick Bhatia, said this is the first time scientists have discovered that embryonic stem cells are able to create a support cell layer as a growth agent in each. Certain periods of development to protect embryonic stem cells at the risk of being destroyed. In other words, embryonic stem cells have the ability to create their own living environment.

(Photo: Sicencedaily) This is an important finding, because the cell's environment plays a decisive role in the direction of cell development. Therefore, by impacting on this environment, scientists will be able to easily " control " the original embryonic cells to develop into the types of cells needed for research and treatment. Professor Bhatia also said, the team will continue to experiment with changing the embryonic cell habitat to create nerve cells and blood cells.

Alab Bernstein, director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research, said the findings help scientists better understand the principle of embryonic cell activity and, therefore, apply embryonic cell transformation. Root to develop treatments for human diseases. In addition, the finding may help to better understand the development mechanism of cancer cells because these two types of cells have relatively similar characteristics such as rapid regeneration and are not easily destroyed. like other normal cells.

Stem cells are a type of cell with many special features, the most important of which is the ability to transform into any cell type in the body. Therefore, scientists hope to someday be able to use embryonic stem cells to treat the disease or to direct the development of this cell into parts for transplanting into the patient's body.