Muscular dystrophy stem cell hope

Muscular dystrophy is a degenerative disease in which the muscles continuously weaken. It is caused by a genetic mutation that inhibits the production of the protein, dystrophin and the muscles to not regenerate once injured. Embryonic stem cells have been researched to be able to reproduce defective cells in the body due to their pluripotent nature. However, it has proven difficult to get the stem cells to develop into muscle cells, which is necessary in order to reverse the effects of muscular dystrophy. A recent study at University of Texas Southwestern determined that if you genetically manipulate the stem cells to release a vital chemical, they will develop into muscle cells. With this development, the many muscle-forming stem cells have a possible theraputic use. Then, the researchers delivered the drugs to the muscles either by injection straight to the muscle itself or intraveneously. They recorded significant improved muscle function. This is very exciting because this is the first time that this kind of treatment has been successful in animals. There is still a lot of research that needs to be done but in about a decade this could be possible in clinical trials. This is interesting because of our recent discussions on stem cell applications and the unlimited possibility of treatments using stem cells. It was also interesting because of our recent knowledge if muscle and their functions, and a presentation on muscular dystrophy. This research proves promising possiblities in the use of stem cells, but it is still very early in the development of these theraputic techniques, and in the next decade or so large improvements could be made in treatments for so many diseases.