Friday, February 22nd, 2008
What Makes Stem Cells Stem Cells?
In the past few years, scientists have drawn several parallels between stem cells and cancer cells. In tumor formation, formerly specialized tissue cells somehow become 'reprogrammed' to form tumor tissue. A similar reprogramming takes place in the creation of stem cells. Both types of cells also have an unusual ability to renew themselves. So what is it that lets a stem cell know it's a stem cell, and not a cancer cell?
In this segment, Joe Palca talks with stem cell researcher George Daley about the discovery of a protein that may help give stem cells their unusual multi-function abilities. The protein, named Lin-28, appears to help regulate the activity of certain small RNA molecules called “let-7 microRNAs” found in both stem cells and cancer.
Guests
George Q. Daley
Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology
Harvard Medical School
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, Massachusett
Related Links
- Children's Hospital: Regulator of microRNAs is key to cell reprogramming and carcinogenesis
- Children's Hospital: Virtual Stem Cell Laboratory
- NIH: Stem Cell Basics
- MedLine Plus:Stem Cells
Segment produced by:Charles Bergquist
Listen:
Friday, February 22nd, 2008
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- What Makes Stem Cells Stem Cells?
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A Grammy in Math
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Stem Cell Research and the Election
A Window into the Heart ... and Everything Else Stem Cells in Review
Monkey Clones and Stem Cells
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