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We Aren’t Rats, But…

By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Science

These early tests with stem cells show that severe spinal cord injuries in lab rats can be fixed.

Genetically engineered stem cells can help ratsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ severed spinal cords grow back together, according to a study published Tuesday.

Rats given the treatment, using stem cells taken from rat embryos, could move their legs again after their spines were severed in the lab, said the researchersÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ report in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The scientists hope the approach, which generated a new fatty cover for the spinal cord cells called the myelin sheath, also could be shown to work in people.

Perhaps Bill Frist made a good move last week?

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2005 and is filed under Science. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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