Thursday, June 04, 2009

Sleuths follow lung stem cells for generations to shed light on healing

Source: Duke University Medical Center
Date: June 4, 2009

Summary:

More than one kind of stem cell is required to support the upkeep and repair of the lungs, according to a new study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Scientists at Duke University Medical Center painstakingly followed and counted genetically labeled cells in the mouse lung for over a year, under differing conditions, to learn more about natural renewal and healing processes. This information may shed light on what goes wrong in conditions like lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and asthma.