"Re-programming" adult cells
The use of stem cells for research sometimes provokes controversy as the most versatile and potentially useful cells are obtained from embryos at the very earliest stage of development. However, towards the end of 2007, two groups of researchers in Japan and America revealed that it might eventually be possible to avoid the ethical issues surrounding the use of embryos in research. These scientists managed to "turn back the clock" on adult human skin cells, reprogramming them to turn back into embryonic-like stem cells that have the potential to generate neurones. These cells are called "induced pluripotent stem cells" or iPS cells.
How can iPS cells be used in MND research?
In August 2008 American researchers generated 'patient-specific' stem cells from people with MND. Researchers used the techniques published in 2007 to re-programme skin cells from two people with the inherited form of MND into motor neurones. This was the first time that researchers successfully made neurones from someone with a neurological disease.
Because these neurones contain a genetic cause of MND, they will display characterstics of the disease. They could be used to understand the underlying mechanisms of MND and as a screen for selecting drugs that may be beneficial.
A groundbreaking research programme funded by the MND Association will use iPS cells to develop a robust laboratory model of MND that could be used for efficient drug screening in the future and will also provide insight into the disease process.
Embryonic stem cells
iPS cells are useful because they have many of the properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). ESCs are found in an embryo just a few days after an egg has been fertilised and are capable of developing into any type of cell. They remain the 'gold standard' for stem cell research. The limits of iPS cells as a model of MND have yet to be clearly defined and researchers will also need to continue to study ESCs to help them perfect their techniques in generating iPS cells. It is therefore vital that all promising approaches, including the use of ESCs, are still pursued.
The Association understands that embryonic stem cell research raises significant ethical and religious issues. In particular the source of eggs for this type of research has proved to be extremely controversial.
Regulations for human embryonic stem cell research
In the UK, this research is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) who issue licences to specific research laboratories.
Research
