Relevance: During this unit, we are talking about the cells and their structures. Although this article does not relate directly to either, its discusses how changing the genetic coding of a cell, can change what it does and how it functions. This could save many people from diseases and cancer, just by reprogramming the cell.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Cell Discovery Earns Nobel Prize
Summary: Just this month, the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for Physiology or Medicene was awarded to two men, Sir John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka. Both men, working seperatley, ahve discovered that, "mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body." Both men discovered that cells can now change states and types, because in Yamanaka's experiment, he showed that mature cells could be reprogrammed, and change into immature stem cells. Now, they could cure diseases by reprogramming or replacing cells.
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how many people have been cured of a disease due to this new discovery?
ReplyDeleteSince the discovery is still in its early stages (due to the fact it was only awarded a month ago), i would assume not many, but I am not positive.
DeleteCould scientists eventually be able to use iPS cells to create replacement organs and body parts?
ReplyDeleteThat is the goal of these men, so that eventually these mature cells would be reprogrammed to do different things, replacing organs and body parts.
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