Friday, November 13, 2009

How Does The Pancreas In An Embryo ‘Know’ Which Cells Are To Produce Insulin?

Source: Lund University
Date: November 13, 2009

Summary:

How does the developing pancreas in an embryo 'know' which cells are to produce insulin and which cells are to have other assignments? Researchers need to understand this if they want to be able to treat type-1 diabetes with stem cells developed into insulin-producing beta cells. At Lund University scientists have uncovered pioneering new knowledge, and are publishing it in the journal Cell.