Mice grow human brain cells after stem cell injections

Posted on Mon, Dec. 12, 2005


Mice grow human brain cells after stem cell injections

PAUL ELIAS

Associated Press


SAN FRANCISCO - Add another creation to the strange scientific menagerie where animal species are being mixed together in ever more exotic combinations.

Scientists announced Monday that they had created mice with small amounts of human brain cells in an effort to make realistic models of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Led by Fred Gage of the Salk Institute in San Diego, the researchers created the mice by injecting about 100,000 human embryonic stem cells per mouse into the brains of 14-day-old rodent fetuses.

Those mice were each born with about 0.1 percent of human cells in each of their heads, a trace amount that doesn't remotely come close to "humanizing" the rodents.

"This illustrate that injecting human stem cells into mouse brains doesn't restructure the brain," Gage said.

more...
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/13391194.htm

I for one welcome our new artificially genetically enhanced rodent overlords.


Sorry. Had to be said. :-)

have husband with Parkinsons.

I still love that line.

:)

or will they simply have a desire to watch reality TV?

:evilgrin: We'll try not to be too hard on you! LOL

was a peek into the future?

"The answer is forty two."

:rofl::applause:

Does this mean there is hope for Republicans, yet? If mice can grow human brain cells, surely they can get some to grow in republicans! FLu shots! Yeah , that's it! We tell them they are getting a flu shot, then inject them with human brain cells, in the hope they will reproduce!

This could be the big one!

had most likely last dance with husband this weekend...made me cry as he could barely move legs.

Whoever it helps.. will do anything. Brilliant man deteriating before my eyes.

We can't help but joke because of the details but the vast majority of us support stem cell research and hope for a cure for your husband.

realized over reaction...just having a blue day. Usually am not like this.

You're entitled to have a bad day. Take care.

:hug:

Take care. You and your husband will be in my thoughts.

"But the brain poses an additional level of concern because some envision nightmare scenarios in which a human mind might be trapped in an animal head."

*That's* what their biggest concern is???

But then size isn't everything

Is it for the human mind, or the poor mouse who has to contend with having a few deep thoughts?

The same thing they do every night...

Try and take over the world!



Seriously though, this is very good and hopeful news.

HELP!!! Human brain cells in my tiny, little head!

If you want to read more about this technology and others...

http://www.wtec.org/ConvergingTechnologies/


This report was sponsored by the Department of Commerce and has a section written by Newt Gingrich.

Use a mousetrap, go to prison.