Tuesday, November 15, 2011

ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News

ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News


Good preparation is key, even for plant cells and symbiotic fungi

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 10:36 AM PST

Laser capture microdissection provides an insight into the symbiotic program of root cells. The most prevalent plant symbiosis is that between root cells and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, called AM fungi. AM fungi make sure that plants can grow on nutrient-depleted soil -- unnoticed by most people.

Self-organized pituitary-like tissue from mouse ES cells

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 06:34 AM PST

The possibility that functional, three-dimensional tissues and organs may be derived from pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), represents one of the grand challenges of stem cell research, but is also one of the fundamental goals of the emerging field of regenerative medicine. New research has shown that when ES cells are cultured under the appropriate conditions, they can be driven to self-organize into complex, three-dimensional tissue-like structures that closely resemble their physiological counterparts, a remarkable advance for the field.

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