Muscular dystrophy stem cell hope (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A new way to manipulate human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offers hope of a treatment for muscular dystrophies.

The muscle-wasting conditions are caused by genetic mutations which block production of a key protein in cells.

In theory, ESCs could be used to replace defective cells - but getting them to form muscle cells in sufficient quantity has proved difficult.

Nature Medicine details US work using genetic manipulation to overcome the problem, with positive results in mice.

However, much work is required before the technique can be tested in humans.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7191852.stm