Source: Scientific American
Date: June 27, 2007
Scientific American reports on a discovery that mouse embryonic stem cells are can function like human embryonic stem cells, a finding that could potentially expedite the development of therapies for diseases from human embryonic stem cells:
"Two independent British research groups have discovered new stem cells in mouse embryos that could help enhance understanding of human embryonic stem cells as well as move scientists closer to harnessing these cells' full healing power."
The story continues to describe how the scientists made the discovery and potential applications in might have to the field of human embryonic stem cell research:
"...researchers report this week in Nature that they discovered a new mouse embryo–derived stem cell that behaves much like a human embryonic stem cell—which could make mouse models more valuable research tools. The teams, from the universities of Cambridge and Oxford in England, say the key may be in the timing: They plucked the cells from mouse embryos two days later than researchers ordinarily do. The scientists say these cells' humanlike quality can provide insight into how human embryonic cells operate."
