According to Xinhua News Agency, researchers from American and Japanese universities published papers this morning (2007+0 1.20), announcing that human skin cells have been successfully transformed into "universal cells" similar to embryonic stem cells. Among them, a China scientist who graduated from Peking University led the research in the United States.
Academics evaluate this breakthrough as a "milestone" in biological science, which may mean that the popular embryonic stem cell cloning technology has withdrawn from the stage.
And * * * enjoy this honor, and Dr. shinya yamanaka of Kyoto University at the same time. Yu said that in June last year, when she learned that shinya yamanaka's team had successfully transformed experimental mouse skin cells into stem cells, she felt the competitive pressure increased. Especially in the final stage of the experiment, there are fewer and fewer genes available, and she is even a little "scared". Because these genes used to recombine skin cells are quite familiar to colleagues, it is likely that other laboratories will take the lead, so her efforts for several years will be in vain. I feel very lucky. She screened a set of four genes in a relatively short time and successfully transformed human skin cells into stem cells.
Why did Science and Cell choose to publish their papers on the same day? I don't understand. Because the papers submitted by the two sides are very close, she guessed that this might be the result of negotiation. Although she is earlier than Japanese scientists, the evaluation process is longer. Modest Yu said that this is also beneficial, which further shows that her results are reliable.
The results were finally announced. Can we take a break? Yu's answer is no, she said that the success of the experiment is only the beginning of regenerative medicine, and there is still a lot of work to be done in the future. At present, her goal is to raise new stem cells to the same level as embryonic stem cells. Some scientists are worried that the method used by Yu and Japanese scientists has destroyed the structure of DNA, and introducing genes with viruses as vectors may lead to cell canceration. Based on previous experimental experience, Yu expressed confidence that new stem cells can reach the same level as embryonic cells by improving the method of gene introduction. In fact, the current difference is very small.
Yu said: Her future direction is to differentiate human organ cells through stem cells, and then treat organ injury diseases such as myocardial injury through cell transplantation. If successful, it will be a major breakthrough in the history of medicine. However, a lot of research is needed on organ cell culture and whether it can work after transplantation.
As a result of scientific research, skin cells become "omnipotent"
"Scientists have successfully transformed skin cells extracted from the human body into stem cells by injecting specific genes. Because these stem cells can be controlled by gene combination, they are called "universal cells" and "chameleon cells", which are expected to eventually be cultivated into human tissues or organs.
Research teams from the United States and Japan published relevant research reports in two authoritative scientific journals this morning. The research of James Thomson Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin was published in Science magazine, and the research team was led by Yu, a scientist from China.
The research team led by shinya yamanaka, a professor at Kyoto University, published the report in the journal Cell. "
The process of "universal cell"
1. Cell extraction: Japan extracted skin cells from the face of a 36-year-old woman, and the United States extracted skin cells from the foreskin of a newborn.
2. Gene injection: four kinds of genes are injected into skin cells, and these specific genes can "recombine" the genes of skin cells.
3. Successful transformation: Ordinary human skin cells have been successfully transformed into stem cells.
4. Organ culture: Theoretically, the function of this kind of stem cells is similar to that of embryonic stem cells obtained by embryo cloning technology, which can eventually be cultured into human tissues or organs.
Japanese scientist Shinya yamanaka said in a statement: "Without human eggs or embryos, we are now expected to produce specific stem cells for patients and diseases. These cells help to understand the mechanism of disease, find effective and safe drugs, and treat patients with cell therapy. "
James thomson made a similar assessment: "Similar to human embryonic cells, this human universal cell can be used for human tissue formation and function research, discovery and testing of new drugs, transplantation medicine, etc."
Referring to the prospect of technology promotion, Thomson said: "People don't know how easy it is. Thousands of laboratories in the United States can basically do it tomorrow. "
This morning, our reporter contacted Dr. Yu, a Chinese scientist living in the United States.
This research is due to leadership. She said that this breakthrough is actually a new beginning, which has opened up a new situation for human beings to use cells for research on a larger scale.
Yu, who graduated from Peking University, began to work in Thomson Laboratory in 2003, and also started the research of this new project.
Yu introduced that in addition to her, there are other China researchers in the research team.
In addition, the staff of the administrative department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison told this reporter this morning that Thomson Laboratory started in 1998 and was funded by the national health department and local foundations of the United States, with about 17 researchers.
The laboratory is presided over by American scientist Thomson who successfully isolated stem cells. "
Academic evaluation Because this technology called "direct transformation" can not only avoid ethical disputes caused by human embryo cloning technology, but also open the door for further medical application because of its high efficiency and convenience.
"We can now imagine an era in which stem cells can be made in a simple way, and any tissue specimen of anyone can cultivate any tissue and organ."
-Ian wilmer, the "midwife" who cloned Dolly the sheep for the first time in the world, said in a statement.
"This research is a great scientific milestone. Biologically speaking, it is equivalent to the first plane made by the Wright brothers. "
-Robert Lanza, chief scientist of the American Institute of Advanced Cell Technology, who devoted himself to the research of human embryo cloning technology, paid tribute to him.
Yu, a student and alumnus of Peking University, cultivated human stem cells by non-cloning technology for the first time in the world, and the news spread throughout Peking University within a few hours. In Peking University College of Life Sciences, where she studied as an undergraduate, teachers and students are even more excited and proud. They sent greetings and congratulations from teachers and students of their alma mater to the other side of the ocean through the Internet at the fastest speed.
After a brief greeting, Professor Wu Guangyao said bluntly, "I'm not surprised that I have achieved today." Then, he introduced the specific significance of the breakthrough to the reporter. "
"At that time, Professor Thomson created the technology of unlimited proliferation of stem cells. On this basis, coupled with Yu's diligence and wisdom, it was possible for her to transform epidermal cells into stem cells in a short time, and made scientific progress that shocked the world. So in a sense, her research is equivalent to manufacturing the first flying plane in aviation engineering, and further efforts can be made to manufacture civil aircraft, bombers, fighters and so on. " Professor Wu Can can't hide his joy. "
At present, the technology of cultivating stem cells through genetic modification is mature, but Yu said: "The application of this technology in the medical field is still in its infancy, and it is too early to discuss the use of these stem cells to cultivate human organs and transplant them."
Yu said that the technology of cultivating stem cells through genetic modification has great development potential. In addition to skin cells, scientists can also choose other tissue cells of the human body to transform. At present, they choose skin cells because they are easy to obtain and culture.
Yu believes that there is a huge ethical controversy on the research of human embryonic stem cells, which is also prohibited by laws in many countries. However, their latest research results bypass embryos and use other human cells to make stem cells similar to embryonic stem cells, thus avoiding ethical disputes and legal problems. Moreover, from a scientific point of view, the cloning technology involving human embryonic stem cells is very difficult to operate, and the source of eggs is also a problem. In contrast, using genetic technology to "imitate" embryonic stem cells is relatively easy to operate and the cost will be much lower. Therefore, their research results give another choice for stem cell research.
Speaking of the "boss" of the laboratory, I have another reason. The first slide of her lecture is a cartoon of a gossip boss. The cartoon, from Nature magazine, depicts nine types of PI (Principal Investigator) with concise lines. PI is the "boss" of the laboratory. They are people who tell students what to do, how to do it and pay them. It is difficult to choose PI: too lazy to learn, and too strict to learn; Unknown people are not taken seriously, and too famous people become idols; You can't get it without a big name. If you have a big name, you look like God. No one wants to work under a God who knows everything and never makes mistakes. ...
The classmate at the bottom asked, "So, what kind of PI Thomson are you?"
"oh, Thomson ... maybe he is a' god' type, but fortunately he is willing to communicate with students."
Ask again: "What kind of pi is suitable for students?"
"It depends on your personal characteristics. But there are several principles. That place should give you enough training and some room for thinking. After all, in the doctoral stage, your main task is to exercise yourself. " You were serious when you answered-it was orthodox guidance.
Then he asked, "So, how to do pi well?"
Smiled and replied: "In fact, the student period is the happiest time for people who do research. Although I seem to depend on others, have little money and live in poverty, what I do is pure, just trying to answer those questions that confuse me. Do pi, it is not so pure, you need to consider a lot of things ... "
Answer answer, deep voice, some silence. Suddenly reminded of his responsibility, he raised his head, cocked his mouth, and added, "So, go and study for a PhD while you are young, down-to-earth and happy."
When she said this, she looked at the future scientists below. In her eyes, it was encouragement.
In a slide, I chose a picture of a villain who hit a wall. Pointing to the villain, she explained, "This is most of your work in science. More than 99.9% of the work is hitting a wall. " Choosing this career, "you need a tough heart and enough psychological preparation."
Q: Why are you engaged in this research today?
Yu: Three reasons.
Health care, of course, I personally know that this basic achievement is far from being applied to clinic;
Constant challenge, the constant challenge that science can provide, is irreplaceable by anything;
Instruct the next generation of scientists. As a scientist, you must have your own laboratory. There will be many young people in your laboratory, and you will have the opportunity to watch those young scientists grow up.
Q: Why did you choose to engage in research?
I tried to work, but I couldn't find the right one.
Q: Why are you engaged in regenerative medicine and stem cell related research?
Y: I used to do plant molecular research. In America, this kind of research is unpopular. But plants have the most powerful regeneration ability. Later, I also studied how egg cells mature.
Although I didn't deliberately choose, what I did before is very helpful to my research in the field of regenerative medicine today. It can be seen that what matters is not your topic, but whether you do it in a down-to-earth manner.
Q: When you chose the direction of stem cell research, did you foresee today's achievements?
I know this job is very important, but I don't know how long it will take. I made up my mind to do it all my life.
Question: Will stem cell research continue to be popular?
Y: Yes, but it seems a little overheated recently.
Question: Do you have any suggestions on whether students should continue to do research or go to work?
Y: It depends on personal preference. Of course, once a decision is made, no matter what you are determined to do, you should do it in a down-to-earth manner to avoid wasting resources.
Q: Thomson Lab has applied for a patent for your research. What do you think of this problem? Will it hinder the further research and application of regenerative medicine?
Yu: Patent is not an obstacle to basic research and early applied research. Pharmaceutical companies have to pay if they want to do business.
Q: Will your future direction turn to application?
Y: I don't think so. Although the business community can provide some funds, their financial support is closest to the results of the application. Scientific research sometimes needs to go through some stages with no application prospect. In addition, the purpose of my research is only to solve this problem, and I like my work only for this purpose.
Q: It is said that you are here to inspect the scientific research environment in China. Will you go back to work?
Y: In recent days, I visited several laboratories in China. Some people have done a lot of work for the real development of scientific research in China. But personally, whether to return to China or not has to be considered.
If I do PI in China, my money is not a problem. But my concerns include: whether there is a good research environment, whether there is an atmosphere of communication with excellent peers; Can you recruit suitable students, especially good postdoctoral students?