The planarian, which is a flatworm normally living in freshwater, can serve as a new model for stem cell and cancer studies, according to US researchers.
During a study, scientists at the University of Utah and the Forsyth Institute at Harvard found that the flatworm contains a gene highly similar to the human gene PTEN, which is often found to be mutated in cancer cases.
They also found that the disruption of PTEN pathways in the cell resulted in abnormal growths, drastic changes in body shape, and, eventually, death.
Based on their observations, they came to the conclusion that planaria can be used for researching the biology of human stem cells and cancer cells.
Source-ANI
RAS/L
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Animation and slides providing graphic explanation of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)/Stem Cell Transplantation that is done for leukemia and other blood-related disorders.
Animation and slides providing graphic explanation of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)/Stem Cell Transplantation that is done for leukemia and other blood-related disorders.
New Cancer Stem Cells Identified by Indian-origin Researcher
In a breakthrough discovery, scientists, led by an Indian-origin researcher at the OU Cancer Institute, have now uncovered a way to isolate cancer stem cells in tumors so they can
In a breakthrough discovery, scientists, led by an Indian-origin researcher at the OU Cancer Institute, have now uncovered a way to isolate cancer stem cells in tumors so they can
