Shares of Sangamo BioSciences leapt more than 12 percent--to a 52-week high--after researchers published a new study in Nature Biotechnology indicating that its technology could be used to modify the genomes in stem cells. The science could be used to create stem cell lines that mimic disease, a big advance in medical research. Stem cells could also be modified in order to treat disease.
"This is a significant advance for both research and the potential therapeutic use of stem cells," stated Dr. Naldini, a senior author of the study. "Stem cells are the body's natural resource for regeneration and repair and the ability to efficiently add a therapeutic gene into the genome of a cell at a predetermined location or to correct a mutated gene in a patient's stem cells may enable us to provide a long term solution for many genetic diseases."
- see Sangamo's release [1]
- check out the AFX report [2]
Related Articles:
Senate renews battle over stem cell funding. Report [3]
Scientists reprogram mature cells to act embryonic. Report [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/press-release-sangamo-biosciences-and-sigma-aldrich-announce-nature-biotechnology-stu
[2] http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-20573378.htm
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/senate-renews-battle-over-stem-cell-funding/2007-06-22
[4] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/scientists-reprogram-mature-cells-to-act-embryonic/2007-06-07