Kidney Stem Cell Breakthrough Provides Tool for Further Research

Australian researchers have discovered how to turn specialized human kidney cells back into generalized cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells. This type of cell reprogramming is a useful tool for studying genetic kidney diseases.  The scientists hope to generate iPS cells from patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease and Alport syndrome; the transformed cells would retain the genetic information that causes these diseases, providing scientists with greater insight into how these disorders work and how to develop stem cell therapies to treat them.

Source:

Stem Cell Tool in Kidney Disease, The Australian, May 18, 2011

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