Zee Media Bureau
Washington: Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have developed a new method to reprogram skin cells into cells that closely resemble beating heart cells.
The research provides hope to improve the chances of surviving a heart attack, which is the leading cause of death around the world.
However, scientists have recognized potential problems with scaling this gene-based method into successful therapies.
The research involves using skin cells extracted from adult mice to screen for chemical compounds, so-called 'small molecules,' that could replace the genetic factors.
These findings give the team new found optimism that the research is well on its way towards an entirely pharmaceutical-based method to regrow heart muscle.
The study was published in the journal Cell Reports.
(With Agency inputs)
