Stem Cell Research
Doctor's at John Hopkins University have made what they are calling “a significant finding” with stem cell research. This new research has revealed that stem cells, combined with certain growth hormones, can allow partially paralyzed rats to walk again by regrowing the spinal nerve cells in lab rats. The scientists at John Hopkins have discovered a way to direct stem cells to regrow neurological circuits in specific locations. The significance of this finding is far reaching within the medical field.
Stem cell research is the subject of much debate and much excitement. The stem cells can transform into anything that the body needs, so this research is important for various types of illnesses. The newest finding will help fuel stem cell research and show the importance of continuing to learn as much as possible about the capabilities of stem cells.
Autism
Autism is another hot issue in the medical field. There has been a great deal of debate over the cause of Autism and numerous studies have been conducted to determine why this disorder is taking over so many children. A study conducted by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has focused on large Middle Eastern families, where the culture generally involves cousins marrying cousins. The team of investigators visited several countries to confirm the diagnosis of the children included in the study.
The researchers conducted genetic mapping for each child in the families that were included in the study. This genetic mapping sought to locate areas of the child's genetic code where the DNA was the same on both chromosomes for those children in the family that were diagnosed with Autism.
Christopher Walsh, the leader of this investigative team, said “We check each set of chromosomes from beginning to end looking for one place where the child has two identical pieces of DNA on both chromosomes. Eventually we find a spot where all affected children have two identical chunks of DNA.”
The unaffected children did not have this section of identical DNA coding, suggesting that this block of matching DNA may be the culprit. This newest finding suggests that Autism may be a genetic disorder instead of a condition that is caused by environmental sources, as is widely believed. More research is needed to validate this new finding. Understanding the cause of Autism is of key importance in order to prevent and treat Autism affectively.
Cancer Vaccine
In the battle against Cancer, new research indicates that tobacco may be useful in fighting this disease. Scientists at The Stanford University School of Medicine have used tobacco plants to grow individual vaccines for Cancer patients that have a certain type of lymphoma. To make the vaccines, the scientists took antibodies from the lymphoma patients and grew those antibodies in a tobacco plant. After the plant was grown, the scientists extracted the antibodies and injected them into the same patient that they were taken from. In many of these patients, the vaccine produced immune responses that assisted the patient in fighting the cancer.
Cancer research is by far one of the most prevalent issues in the medical field. With breakthrough being made on a seemingly daily basis, perhaps this disease will become less threatening to the human population.
