Saturday, October 14, 2006

Key Gene Controlling Kidney Development Found

Source: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Date: October 14, 2006

Summary:

U.S. scientists in Memphis, Tenn., say they've found that a gene called Six2 plays a critical role in the development of human kidneys by keeping a population of "parent" stem cells constantly available to produce the specific cells that give rise to specialized parts of the organ.

Commentary: This finding might enable researchers to make significant progress in creating human kidneys for transplantation into patients with kidney failure.

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