Source: Hartford Courant
Posted: October 2, 2006
Summary:
In a new study, scientists from the University of Connecticut and University of Pittsburgh discovered that mice are more easily cloned using DNA from mature blood cells than from stem cells, a finding that from the say puts a new spin on cloning theory and resolves an old debate about Dolly the sheep, the world's first clone. The scientists reported it was almost 10 times more efficient to clone mice using DNA taken from a fully mature blood cell than from DNA taken from a blood stem cell.
Researchers cite the finding as progress for therapeutic cloning because it proves conclusively that DNA easily obtained from fully mature, or differentiated, cells can produce genetically identical embryonic stem cells. Researchers are working to discover how cloning resets the biological clock of mature cells so they can develop cell lines capable of repairing tissues damaged as a result of many diseases including Parkinson's disease and Type 1 diabetes.
Commentary: Maybe the results of this study will eventually enable the development of effective alternative embryonic stem cell treatments, including blood and adult stem cells to treat diseases and medical conditions.
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