Find the renowned scientist Stephen Hawking illness cause

In June 2006, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking · in Beijing science and technology development Consultative Council, to answer public questions. (Liu Yun/photo)

American scientists found this helps end overcome ALS

-Tech report [] message: United States of two scientific research team reported that the researchers found that a "glial cells" variation of toxin secreted by neural cells, may result in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), scientists believe that this will help find a cure for this degeneration of nerve diseases. Related scientific papers published in the latest edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lu cover of reesei) is a motor nerve system of degenerative diseases, the main clinical manifestation is gradually atrophy of muscle weakness, patients will eventually die from respiratory failure. Genius physicist Stephen Hawking is the patient's disease.

Two research teams in charge are Harvard's stem cell experts Dr. Kevin • El Gan and Colombia University of SEG • gdepri Dr. hereby Pauw Gdansk. They are all using mouse embryonic stem cells to produce a large number of cells, similar to ALS. Two research teams results show that when a astrocytes neurons carry the SOD1 mutation gene will secrete a toxin. This confirms previous scientists that the gene and the relevance of the ALS.

Gdepri hereby Pauw Gdansk research group to produce the SOD1 mutation genes carry a mouse in the dynamic neuron cells. In General, the cultivation of variation in the laboratory cell appears ALS patients with cells common prejudice. However, researchers at the new breed of variation found in cells. Then, researchers produce the SOD1 gene variation with astrocytes. When the SOD1 gene in the glial cells in variation, a nutrition protein start obviously changed to toxins. When they use variation SOD1 gene cultivation astrocytes, near the dynamic neuron cells in rats was killed.

Gdepri hereby Pauw Gdansk research group said: "these findings show that in ALS patients with spinal dynamic neuron degeneration, glial cells may play a role. ”

Dr. eygun pointed out: "from the point of view, these findings have important significance. First, the use of certain genes with embryonic stem cells, you can use them to produce affected by these diseases affect large numbers of cells, in-depth research on disease mechanisms. Secondly, if the patients themselves carry have ALS genes, it will exist toxic factors, leading to cell death. ”