- News>
- Environment
South Korean scientists claim
Seoul, June 23: South Korean researchers said today they had succeeded in developing human embryonic stem cells in the bodies of mice.
Seoul, June 23: South Korean researchers said today they had succeeded in developing human embryonic stem cells in the bodies of mice.
Maria biotech, a Seoul Research Institute, said the so-called "hu-mouse" project represented a step forward in efforts to tackle a variety of diseases because clinical studies could henceforth be carried out on mice rather than
human beings.
Lead researcher Kim un-Yong said that the "hu-mous " project was the first of its kind in the world.
"This has not been done before," she said. "The project will help work on curing human disease."
"They are perfect mice except for a few human genes," said Maria`s head of research park se-pill.
Stem cells are the undifferentiated building block cells produced by the body that become specialised cells.
Scientists believe that stem cell research will eventually help repair damaged organs and reverse currently incurable illnesses including some cancers, diabetes and Parkinsons.
The institute said it had succeeded in producing 11 healthy baby mice after injecting mice embryos with human embryonic stem cells carrying Enhanced Green Fluorescent Proteins (EGFP) and transplanting them into the wombs of four mice.
Of the 11 transgenic mice, five had stem-cell bearing GFP genes in their hearts, livers, kidneys and cartilage. All progeny of the five also had the stem-cell genes, it said.
Bureau Report
"This has not been done before," she said. "The project will help work on curing human disease."
"They are perfect mice except for a few human genes," said Maria`s head of research park se-pill.
Stem cells are the undifferentiated building block cells produced by the body that become specialised cells.
Scientists believe that stem cell research will eventually help repair damaged organs and reverse currently incurable illnesses including some cancers, diabetes and Parkinsons.
The institute said it had succeeded in producing 11 healthy baby mice after injecting mice embryos with human embryonic stem cells carrying Enhanced Green Fluorescent Proteins (EGFP) and transplanting them into the wombs of four mice.
Of the 11 transgenic mice, five had stem-cell bearing GFP genes in their hearts, livers, kidneys and cartilage. All progeny of the five also had the stem-cell genes, it said.
Bureau Report