Recipe for obtaining motor neurons from stem cells

2002/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

Columbia University researchers have invented the precise molecular mixture to convert stem cells into motor neurons. Among other things, they have seen that retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog protein help stem cells transform motor neurons. In addition, after the integration of the motor neurons obtained with the help of this mixture in the marrow of the embryos of the chickens, it has been shown that they develop together with others and that they adequately carry out their work.

According to the researchers, a similar methodology could be used in humans to regenerate nerve tissue lost from injuries or diseases.