At Lund University, researchers have discovered a brand new type of stem cell in the adult human brain, which is thought to be responsible for the regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue.
Stem cells are known for their ability to proliferate into several different cell types, providing a plethora of research opportunities for medical researchers. These specific stem cells, found near small blood vessels in the brain through the analysis of brain tissue from biopsies, have also been identified in other locations of the body. In other organs, the stem cell appears to have a similar structure, and is responsible for repair and wound healing, leading scientists to suggest that the curative properties may also apply to the brain.
The next step is to better understand this new type of stem cell, and to learn how to better control and enhance its self-healing properties. “Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile,” said Gesine Paul-Visse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lund University.
With a more thorough understanding of how this stem cell operates, researchers hope to use it to better treat neurodegenerative diseases and stroke.
As Paul-Visse puts it, “Ultimately the goal is to strengthen these mechanisms and develop new treatments that can repair the diseased brain.”
For more information, read the article “New stem cell found in the brain” http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/04/23/new_stem_cell_found_in_the_brain.html
Or look for the original study published in the journal PLos ONE.
So, what do you think? Will this new stem cell found in the brain make an important impact in neurobiological research?
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