Wednesday, August 04, 2010

MicroRNA molecule increases number of blood stem cells, may help improve cancer treatment

Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
Date: August 4, 2010

Summary:

Investigators have identified a new mechanism that controls the number of hematopoietic stem cells - cells that give rise to all blood and immune system cells. In a report in the online Early Edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute identify a tiny RNA molecule that increases the number of these blood stem cells, an advance that may improve treatment of blood system cancers.