Better laboratory models for future research
26 November 2007
Despite extensive studies of mouse models, there are still no effective treatments and disease mechanisms are still largely unknown in ALS/MND.During her presentation at the 18th International Symposium on ALS/MND Martina Wiedau-Pazos from UCLA explained how new human disease models are needed to take advantage of recently developed research methods to advance the discovery of new therapies for MND.
Embryonic stem cells found during the very earliest stages of development have the potential to grow into any type of cell.
Researchers are just learning how to encourage stem cells to develop into living motor neurones in the laboratory, providing a unique resource for studying them. This provides a remarkable potential for understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr Wiedau-Pazos presented the first ever report of a successful modification of human stem cells into motor neurones that mimic ALS/MND. During the presentation she shared the methodology used to create the motor neurons that mimic MND in the laboratory. "I am very excited about the data I'm presenting" she enthused.
This breakthrough means that better human disease models can be created in the laboratory. These cells are invaluable to further knowledge of the disease and identify therapeutic treatments.
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Notes to editors
The 18th International Symposium on ALS/MND is taking place in Toronto, Canada, between Saturday 1 and Monday 3 December. The event is organised by the UK-based Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and hosted this year by the ALS Society of Canada.
The MND Association, alongside patient organisations and the scientific community extensively lobbied the Government, HFEA and MPs to prevent the proposed restriction on the use of human-animal hybrid embryos in research.
It is difficult to grow motor neurons in the laboratory which hampers research into the study of the disease. This breakthrough shows that how the use of embryonic stem cells enables researchers to create effective human disease models.
The MND Association, alongside patient organisations and the scientific community extensively lobbied the Government, HFEA and MPs to prevent the proposed restriction on the use of human-animal hybrid embryos in research.
It is difficult to grow motor neurons in the laboratory which hampers research into the study of the disease. This breakthrough shows that how the use of embryonic stem cells enables researchers to create effective human disease models.
- Session 3A - Selective vulnerability of motor neurons (111kb - PDF)
