July 9th, 2024

Scientists create a cell that precludes malignant growth

Scientists at the University of Helsinki developed a cell preventing malignant growth, enhancing therapies for diseases like diabetes. Engineered cells show promise in regulating glucose levels and evading immune rejection, advancing safer cell therapies.

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Scientists create a cell that precludes malignant growth

Scientists at the University of Helsinki have developed a groundbreaking cell that prevents malignant growth. This innovation aims to enhance cell therapies for various diseases, including hereditary conditions and diabetes. By modifying stem cells to only divide in the presence of a specific component, the researchers have created cells that cannot proliferate independently, reducing the risk of cancer. These engineered cells have shown promising results in regulating blood glucose levels and differentiating into various tissue types. The technique not only ensures safe cell editing but also opens up possibilities for creating universally compatible cells that evade immune rejection. Published in Molecular Therapy, this research represents a significant step towards safer and more effective cell therapies to combat diseases and tissue damage. The study's findings offer hope for the development of novel treatments using these engineered cells, bringing us closer to realizing the potential of regenerative medicine.

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Link Icon 5 comments
By @vaylian - 3 months
This is really smart. By making it impossible for the cells to generate Thymidine, they can not create more DNA which is needed to produce the genome of two (possibly malignant) daughter cells. Why Thymidine? Because there is a key difference between DNA and RNA: DNA has Thymine while RNA has Uracil. Both DNA and RNA share the other 3 bases: Adenine, Cytosine and Guanine. The cell only needs additional DNA if it goes into cell division, but it needs RNA all the time for many cellular processes. Singling out Thymidine is a really cool idea!
By @jjk166 - 3 months
In Jurassic Park there is a Lysine Contingency which was a genetic modification to prevent the dinosaurs from producing a key molecule, which in turn would prevent their escape and propagation in the wild.
By @adamredwoods - 3 months
This page didn't load for me, so here is the original article:

https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-ther...

By @formvoltron - 3 months
So would using these cell modifications, in the case of growing organs perhaps, require germline modifications?

Or what are other types of uses for these cells?

By @wpollock - 3 months
Hmm. "Life finds a way."