Motor neurons from stem cells
Cells of this type are called motor neurons.
Neurons of various types, including motor neurons, have been obtained from human embryonic stem cells for several years. However, William Lowry and his colleagues took a different path. As the initial "raw material" they used ordinary human somatic cells, which were reprogrammed into full-fledged analogues of embryonic stem cells with the help of gene manipulations. The technology of such reprogramming was successfully tested in an experiment quite recently, about two years ago. At the same time, a name was invented for new cells – induced pluripotent cells.
On February 23, Lowry and his laboratory staff published their results on the website of the journal Stem Cells. The authors of this work claim that motor neurons obtained from induced stem cells demonstrate normal electrical activity and possess all the other properties of ordinary nerve cells of this type. Experimenters who had previously obtained motor neurons from induced pluripotent cells did not provide such evidence.
So far, this experiment is being conducted exclusively by the Department of Fundamental Science. However, the demonstrated possibility of obtaining full-fledged motor neurons from induced pluripotent cells may someday bring enormous benefits to medicine. There are many diseases of the nervous system that cause the death of motor neurons. This is, for example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which leads to the gradual cessation of motor nerves. Now there is hope that one day it will be possible to turn the somatic cells of the patient into motor neurons that work normally and are suitable for transplantation.
Speaking of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:
Now you will find out how MND patients feel
Shocking social advertising spot Motor Neurone Disease Assotiation is banned from showing to children under 15(based on materials AdMe.ru )
The Association for the Fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Motor Neurone Disease Assotiation) filmed an advertising video clearly and very naturally demonstrating the gradual painful physical deterioration of the health of a woman with MND.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Motor Neurone Disease) is a rapidly progressive disease of motor neurons that leads to death. The causes of the disease, as well as medications, are still unknown to doctors. The life expectancy of MND patients ranges from 2 to 5 years. In the UK alone, at least 5 people die every day from this incurable disease.
The title of the video (Sarah Story) uses the name of a real character. Sarah is a young woman with MND, whom the director of the video, Jim Weedon, attracted as a consultant when creating an advertising spot.
Download the video (6 M, mp4 file).
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru25.02.2009