Diabetes Breakthrough: Scientists Coax Human Stem Cells Into Making Insulin

[babylonsister]

Diabetes Breakthrough: Scientists Coax Human Stem Cells Into Making Insulin

by Good News Network - October 9, 2014



Since his infant son Sam was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 23 years ago, Harvard scientist Doug Melton has dedicated his career to finding a cure for the disease. Today he announced that he and his colleagues have taken a giant leap forward, for the first time producing massive quantities of human insulin-producing beta cells.

With human embryonic stem cells as a starting point, the new cells are equivalent in most every way to normally functioning beta cells.

He hopes to be underway with human transplantation trials using the cells within a few years.

“We are now just one pre-clinical step away from the finish line,” said Melton, whose daughter Emma also has type 1 diabetes, a condition that affects an estimated 3 million Americans at a cost of about $15 billion annually.

A report on the new work has today been published by the journal Cell.

“You never know for sure that something like this is going to work until you’ve tested it numerous ways,” said Melton, co-scientific director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the University’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. “We’ve given these cells three separate challenges with glucose in mice.” The results were clear and fast, Melton told NPR news. “We can cure their diabetes right away — in less than 10 days.”

more...

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/diabetes-breakthrough-scientists-coax-human-stem-cells-making-insulin/

[shenmue]

1. Watch the fundies freak out over embryos, though

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Way to Funny!!

Typical Rethug voter=old white folks who probably are over weight and using insulin. Probably hard core funndie to boot.

[Scuba]

3. Kick for science!!!

[malaise]

4. This would be beyond huge -this would change the world

as we know it. Diabetes is a major killer.