U-M creates new stem cell lines with adult cells for bipolar disorder research

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Last Updated: July 25. 2011 11:42AM
U-M creates new stem cell lines with adult cells for bipolar disorder research
Kim Kozlowski/ The Detroit News


Ann Arbor— The University of Michigan announced today it has created five more stem cell lines, but with a technique using adult cells so no embryos were destroyed in the process.

Skin cells were used to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) — cells that are coaxed into acting like the controversial embryonic stem cells, which can become any cell in the body.

Three of U-M's iPS stem cell lines were created with skin donated by people with bipolar disorder; the other two were create with cells from a tissue bank so they are genetically normal.

The iPS stem cell lines will be used to study the progression bipolar disorder and other neurological diseases.

Read more: http://detnews.com/article/20110725/LIFESTYLE03/107250384/U-M-creates-new-stem-cell-lines-with-adult-cells-for-bipolar-disorder-research#ixzz1T8PjOght

[backtomn]

1. This is not only a good sign......

....but something that can avoid the issues some have with harvesting embryos and cloning. There has not been a single human trial finished with embryonic stem cells (although I have heard that one is starting) and those cells are subject to rejection (possibly requiring anti-rejection drugs for life), while adult stem cell (umbilical cord, skin, etc.) work has actually seen cures. Embryonic stem cell work is mostly government funded, since industry does not think it is a good risk, while industry is spending on adult stem cells. I would vote for using stem cells that will not be the subject of morality fights.....and not requiring tax dollars.

[Ian David]

2. I, for one, welcome our new, microscopic, bipolar overlords. n/t