Max
10-02-2001, 04:04 PM
Geron Researchers Cite Cell Research
By PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnology Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Researchers at biotechnology company Geron Corp. say they have found a way to reduce the amount of mouse tissue used in growing human embryonic stem cells.
Until Monday, all known cell lines were grown on top of mouse ``feeder cells'' that contain growth-sustaining nutrients. The process had raised concerns that mouse viruses could be passed on to people during human trials, a big hurdle for any researcher looking for Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) approval.
In a study published Monday in the journal Nature Biotechnology, Geron scientists said that they could grow the human stem cells without the mouse feeder cells.
Instead of the feeder cells, Geron scientists said they are working with a gel derived from mice. The gel still contains mouse tissue, but not as much as the feeder cells.
The company's stock price jumped more nearly 20 percent on the Nasdaq Stock Market in response.
``It's positive news, but Geron doesn't have the mass-production process scaled up yet,'' said John McCamant, editor of the Berkeley-based Medical Technology Stock Letter. ``This is just a very early step.''
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body's parts. Scientists are trying to learn how to coax them to become new, healthy cells to repair ailing hearts, livers, brains and other organs. The cells are extracted from week-old embryos, which are destroyed in the process.
<A HREF="http://www.pluslotto.com/default.asp?urlref=3300003298889" TARGET=_blank>
http://www.lpics2.com/banners/A3.gif </A>
By PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnology Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Researchers at biotechnology company Geron Corp. say they have found a way to reduce the amount of mouse tissue used in growing human embryonic stem cells.
Until Monday, all known cell lines were grown on top of mouse ``feeder cells'' that contain growth-sustaining nutrients. The process had raised concerns that mouse viruses could be passed on to people during human trials, a big hurdle for any researcher looking for Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) approval.
In a study published Monday in the journal Nature Biotechnology, Geron scientists said that they could grow the human stem cells without the mouse feeder cells.
Instead of the feeder cells, Geron scientists said they are working with a gel derived from mice. The gel still contains mouse tissue, but not as much as the feeder cells.
The company's stock price jumped more nearly 20 percent on the Nasdaq Stock Market in response.
``It's positive news, but Geron doesn't have the mass-production process scaled up yet,'' said John McCamant, editor of the Berkeley-based Medical Technology Stock Letter. ``This is just a very early step.''
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body's parts. Scientists are trying to learn how to coax them to become new, healthy cells to repair ailing hearts, livers, brains and other organs. The cells are extracted from week-old embryos, which are destroyed in the process.
<A HREF="http://www.pluslotto.com/default.asp?urlref=3300003298889" TARGET=_blank>
http://www.lpics2.com/banners/A3.gif </A>