| A group of top researchers is focusing on | | | | critical gene related to these processes, it is called |
| understanding how an embryo's developing pancreas | | | | Cdc42. They found this out through knock-out mice |
| recognize which cells produce insulin and which ones | | | | that had this gene removed. The lack of Cdc42 |
| have other functions. This understanding is crucial in | | | | blocks the formation of tubes in the pancreas, thus, |
| the use of stem cells, developed into beta cells that | | | | the dominant environment is like the one around |
| produce insulin, to treat type-1 diabetes. | | | | enzyme-producing cells instead of the most important |
| Today, Lund University scientists have new | | | | insulin-producing beta cells one. |
| discoveries to announce in this regard, and they will | | | | These discoveries provide knowledge that is critical |
| do it in the journal Cell, which is one of the top | | | | for the future of medical treatments. A new door |
| biomedical journals and a very tough one to get | | | | has opened for the research on stem cell treatment |
| published in. In fact, it is not common to see Lund | | | | for type-1 diabetes, given the new understanding of |
| publishing in Cell; thus, Lund scientists consider it a big | | | | how immature cells grow into beta cells. This |
| achievement and a great honor. | | | | knowledge will also be valuable for diseases where |
| Diabetes researcher Henrik Semb's team has been | | | | cyst formation in the tubes produces organ failure, |
| analyzing two vital scientific questions: | | | | for example, in kidneys and liver. |
| 1. How are tubes formed in organs where they fulfill | | | | Every important article published in Cell requires |
| vital functions? For example, the tubes that filter | | | | committed and lengthy research, and this is exactly |
| urine in the kidneys, the tubes that carry blood in the | | | | what the Lund scientists have done. They have |
| blood vessels, and the tubes that carry air in the | | | | devoted years to studying tube formation, cell |
| lungs. | | | | differentiation, and the role of Cdc42 in the |
| 2. How is the differentiation of cells, the development | | | | mentioned processes. |
| of immature cells into various mature ones, related to | | | | Their secret resides in the team itself, formed by |
| the formation of tubes? | | | | amazing scientists capable of keeping their passion |
| These two processes are known to happen | | | | alive and energy focused even when they were |
| simultaneously in an embryo, but it was not known if | | | | tempted to publish several partial findings in other |
| they were related, until now. Henrik Semb's research | | | | journals. They definitely knew better. |
| team can explain step by step how certain cells in | | | | If you wish to know more about stem cell research |
| the developing pancreas form miniature cavities that | | | | and their future medical potential, talk to your |
| join together to create a system of tubes, and how | | | | pharmaceutical consultants; they should be on top of |
| cells that end up in different parts of this tube | | | | the latest developments and market opportunities. |
| system are exposed to different environments, thus | | | | If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. |
| they develop in separate ways. Some produce insulin, | | | | They'll thank you for it. If you have a blog or |
| others, enzymes that digest food in the intestines, | | | | website, you can link to it or even post it to your |
| and yet others take part in the tube's construction. | | | | own site (don't forget to mention as the original |
| This research team also discovered that there is a | | | | source). |