Posted on 07/09/2020 7:26:53 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants
SAN DIEGO – Sometimes, scientific breakthroughs occur when researchers aren’t exactly looking for them. While attempting to better understand the function of a protein in connective tissue cells, UC San Diego School of Medicine scientists found a way to transform multiple types of cells into neurons. This discovery has led to the development of a treatment that eliminates symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in mice.
The protein researchers were studying, called PTB, is known for its general role in activating or deactivating genes within a cell. In an attempt to better understand how PTB contributes to cell function, researchers silenced the PTB gene using a technique called siRNA in a type of connective tissue cell, known as a fibroblast. The researchers grew the fibroblasts in petri dishes, silenced PTB, and waited a couple of weeks to check on the fibroblasts and observe any changes.
When the researchers checked the fibroblasts, they were shocked. They found that very few fibroblasts remained in the dishes. Instead, the dishes contained mostly neurons. Unintentionally, they had discovered a way to turn fibroblasts into neurons.
In subsequent experiments, the researchers found that they could also turn other cells into neurons. When they silenced PTB in a type of non-neuronal brain cell known as an astrocyte, they were also able to generate neurons.
“Researchers around the world have tried many ways to generate neurons in the lab, using stem cells and other means, so we can study them better, as well as to use them to replace lost neurons in neurodegenerative diseases,” says lead author of the study, Xiang-Dong Fu, in a release. “The fact that we could produce so many neurons in such a relatively easy way came as a big surprise.”
I like your concepts that “tolerance of eccentricity and radicalism is a key part of the success of the scientific method”, but I would substitute the words “inquisitiveness, intuition, far-sightedness, adventurous, and dedicated” for “Radicalism”.
Having been involved in minor paleontological research in college (with some interesting results) and a find in the DC area that went to the Smithsonian, and then a career in journalism and legal research/litigation, I found that “intuition and inquisitiveness” paid off many times over a 50 year career in both/combined, which often resulted in saving the US taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in environmental clean-up costs.
People who think “linear” often miss what is in the other lanes and off to the sides of the road.
#8. If you can turn off Pelosi/Schumer/Schiff and Sheila Lee Jackson’s brains, you will save America from these brain-damaged fools and traitors.
In that case, we might, sarcingly, give you the “Morton Sobell Award” for preventing the reds from taking over the US/world.
If we give the immune system more targets then it will kill them too.
What if the neurons are infected with a pathogen?
I very much doubt that we have discovered all of the disease vectors that are out there attacking us yet.
I really do suspect that so called auto-immune diseases may actually be caused by an as yet undiscovered family of micro-organism or virus.
Fingers crossed and prayers up.
We lost my beloved Father to this horrible disease 2 years ago next week.
Keep this up, we’ll have the healthiest mice on the planet.
Humans, well..., not so much.
LOL
?? Why for ALS?
Beat me to it!
Sadly there is NO cure and only a terrible future for him and others with it until their lives are over. With other wasting or brain cells dying, there is some help and even gaining more and more toward eventual potential remission of their diseases (my aunt, best friend, and father-in-law all died of Parkinson's disease), with more and more friends getting this diagnosis but with my son-in-law's case, he wishes to have a massive heart attack, stroke or other fatal ailment rather than death by ALS!
We just had a good friend die of it 3 months ago, another friend die from it a few years ago, and another dying of something very similar- Very terrible diseases- I hope someday it will be cured- completely-
My question to you though was bout the article, did it mention ALS?
Why would you want to grow mouse neurons in your brain?
I don’t know, ask JOE BIDEN!
Did someone say cheeze???
It's something no one would wish on their very worst enemy.
In all the cases I've encountered with family, friends, etc. everyone has full mental capacities, so they are aware of what's going on with the wasting and unable for anyone to do the slightest bit to improve their last hours and days.
It just breaks hearts.
Two dear friends who lost husbands in the past 4-5 years, both developed the dementia part of Parkinson's and were gone within the week!
As sad as that has been, we begin to wish a shortened span for those with ALS, though many like Stephen Hawking, last for years, wasting more and more as times elapses. In Hawking's case, I believe it was over 20 years.
“ What this article leaves out is that Parkinson’s disease is an autoimmune disease.”
There’s no reason to believe Parkinson’s is an auto-immune disease. There is no build up of antibodies or immune cells in the area of the brain affected.
It’s more likely a defect in dopamine production that creates a toxic form of dopamine, the same chemical that these researchers used to give those mice Parkinson’s. What triggers that defective production is unknown. The cause doesn’t seem to be communicable or genetic, although some cases seem to be linked to a childhood flu.
Those guys from Iraq and Afghanistan are still in their forties and could have a long life ahead of them. I follow the brain injured vets online and there are literally tens of thousands that need help. I pray this helps them and sooner than later.
“Accidental” is how God MUST conceal direct influence. True Agape love between a sentient being and the Infinite can only exist if the person is NOT left with no choice in the relationship. Agape love only exists in 100% free will and choice to love. Proof through direct and obvious influence removes that choice, preventing the only Communion that serves both.
BUMP
This is personal for me, too. I have Parkinson’s and would be thrilled if a cur could be found in my lifetime. Plus all the other diseases it could be used on.
It would be wonderful.
Prayers continue for them and for you.
Prayers up for guidance for the scientists working on this project.
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