kasiaimichael
10.04.08, 19:35
W mleku ludzkim naukowcy odkryli komorki pierwotne.
z mothering.com:
Stem Cells Discovered in Breastmilk
By Christine Pollack
Breastmilk has been found to contain stem cells, according to research
presented in January at the International Conference of the Society for
Research on Human Milk and Lactation, in Perth, Australia. Dr. Mark Cregan,
lecturer in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Western
Australia, sees this significant finding as a stepping stone to new,
undiscovered benefits of breastmilk.
Stem cells are "generic" cells that can make exact copies of themselves and
also have the ability to produce specialized cells. While adult stem cells are
generally specific to certain cell types such as skin and blood, embryonic
stem cells are more versatile because they can produce cells for almost any
tissue in the body. However, the use of embryonic cells for research is
controversial.
Several years ago, while investigating the intricacies of cells in breastmilk,
Cregan wondered if it also contained the cells' precursors. He and his team
cultured cells from breastmilk and discovered nestin, a stem-cell "marker." In
addition to nestin, Cregan and his team found one population of stem cells
with the potential to, like embryonic stem cells, differentiate into multiple
cell types.
"We already know how breastmilk provides for the baby's nutritional needs, but
we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other
functions," says Cregan. He is eager to see major changes in the next few
years as scientists harvest these stem cells, in a completely ethical manner,
to research treatment for conditions such as autoimmune diseases, cancer,
spinal injuries, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.