Functioning Neurons From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Produced

Bhaskar · 08-10-2007, 01:54 AM

Science Daily — Scientists with the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at UCLA were able to produce from human embryonic stem cells a highly pure, large quantity of functioning neurons that will allow them to create models of and study diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, prefrontal dementia and schizophrenia.

Researchers previously had been able to produce neurons - the impulse-conducting cells in the brain and spinal cord - from human embryonic stem cells. However, the percentage of neurons in the cell culture was not high and the neurons were difficult to isolate from the other cells.

UCLA's Yi Sun, an associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Thomas Südhof at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center were able to produce 70 to 80 percent of neurons in cell culture. Sun and Südhof also were able to isolate the neurons and determine that they had a functional synaptic network, which the neurons use to communicate. Because they were functional, the neurons can be used to create a variety of human neurological disease models.

"Previously, the system to grow and isolate neurons was very messy and it was unknown whether those neurons were functioning," Sun said. "We're excited because we have been able to purify so many more neurons out of the cell culture and they were, surprisingly, healthy enough to form synapses. These cells will be excellent for doing gene expression studies and biochemical and protein analyses." ....

More : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0809105354.htm

Another Link : http://www.news-medical.net/?id=28596

The mom · 08-10-2007, 01:14 PM

Interesting that stem cell lines which differentiate into neurons, differentiate into specific neurons.

Looks like this is another indication that the Bush stem cells lines are not enough as all lines are not equal in what they produce. Wonder what won't be produced because of this limitation.

08-10-2007, 01:54 AM	#1
Bhaskar Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 577	Functioning Neurons From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Produced Science Daily — Scientists with the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at UCLA were able to produce from human embryonic stem cells a highly pure, large quantity of functioning neurons that will allow them to create models of and study diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, prefrontal dementia and schizophrenia. Researchers previously had been able to produce neurons - the impulse-conducting cells in the brain and spinal cord - from human embryonic stem cells. However, the percentage of neurons in the cell culture was not high and the neurons were difficult to isolate from the other cells. UCLA's Yi Sun, an associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Thomas Südhof at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center were able to produce 70 to 80 percent of neurons in cell culture. Sun and Südhof also were able to isolate the neurons and determine that they had a functional synaptic network, which the neurons use to communicate. Because they were functional, the neurons can be used to create a variety of human neurological disease models. "Previously, the system to grow and isolate neurons was very messy and it was unknown whether those neurons were functioning," Sun said. "We're excited because we have been able to purify so many more neurons out of the cell culture and they were, surprisingly, healthy enough to form synapses. These cells will be excellent for doing gene expression studies and biochemical and protein analyses." .... More : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0809105354.htm Another Link : http://www.news-medical.net/?id=28596 Last edited by Bhaskar; 08-10-2007 at 02:07 AM.

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08-10-2007, 01:14 PM	#2
The mom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Copper Canyon, Texas Posts: 366	Interesting that stem cell lines which differentiate into neurons, differentiate into specific neurons. Looks like this is another indication that the Bush stem cells lines are not enough as all lines are not equal in what they produce. Wonder what won't be produced because of this limitation.