My previous posts shown in many cases the effectiveness of artificial development of stem cells into mature beta cells. In a previous post from December 31, 2010, as you can see in my archive, the University of Texas has unleashed the method of deriving stem cells from rich sources in umbilical cords, normally looked upon as medical waste. However, I have done further research and found an unbelievable new source of stem cells. Harvard researchers in early 2009 used the drug streptozotocin in diabetic mice to destroy all beta cells, but keep the other pancreatic cells, (artificially inducing IDDM). After doing so, the research team activated a key gene- Pax4. The Pax4 gene, located on chromosome 7 at position 32, converts alpha cells (also in the pancreas), which normally produce glucagon, into beta cells, which produce insulin. Because IDDM doesn't affect alpha cells in the pancreas, there seems to be no harm in growing beta cells from unharmed alpha cells. Also, this experiment was considered in vivo, as it occurred inside the pancreas for the entire duration.
There is still much research to be done for this revolutionary breakthrough, including how to turn off the Pax4 gene. This may be necessary either if there is a depletion of alpha cells, or if there is a surplus of beta cells. The lead researcher for this experiment and ongoing analysis is Patrick Collombat, and you can read about his various scholarly publications by clicking on this link. Patrick Collombat is a researcher at Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany. The large image in the top right of this post is of the Human Pax4 gene (the brown stained areas). In order to see the editorial on this discovery, click on the title of this post.
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