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SINGAPORE: Stem Cell Cure For Damaged Brain? FEB 17, 2004 TUE Scientist Philippe Taupin, who moved in here recently from top US institute, is out to prove it - and he has a trump card By Chang Ai-Lien WHEN scientists discovered about 10 years ago that they could grow nerve cells out of adult brain cells, they broke the back of conventional wisdom - that the brain cannot regenerate, and you live your life with the neurons you were born with. The revelation opened up a hot new field of science, in which researchers still search for incontrovertible proof that stem cells exist in the adult human brain and can be transformed into any cell the brain needs. Scientist Philippe Taupin, who has just moved here from the renowned Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the United States, has spent the last eight years seeking such evidence. Now running his own laboratory at the National Neuroscience Institute, Dr Taupin's trump card is a protein molecule that lets an undifferentiated brain cell act like a stem cell in a culture dish - a world first. The molecule, produced naturally by the cells, causes them to multiply indefinitely, and transforms them into the brain's neurons and supporting cells. Such research, while still in its infancy, could one day cure people who have suffered brain damage from injuries or restore brain functions for those with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. 'If the brain is capable of making new neurons, then the ultimate goal is to help people who have suffered brain damage,' said Dr Taupin. His achievements have made him much sought-after in the field, but he decided, he said, to place all his chips on Singapore as it has a strong focus on stem cell biology. He remains cautious about his efforts. 'Although we can cause the cells to act like stem cells in the culture dish outside the body, it still remains to be proven that they can do this in the brain itself.' Dr Taupin also hopes to better understand how the unprogrammed brain cells originate, how they work and what their potential is. He plans to create cell lines or colonies that could one day be used to grow the brain cells that patients need. Another reason he gave for coming here is the possibility of working with stem cell pioneer, Professor Ariff Bongso, who first isolated stem cells from human embryos. Echoing the same sentiment, Prof Bongso said: 'He is an excellent researcher, and I would be delighted to work with him.' The reason for Dr Taupin's interest in expanding his work is that stem cells found in adults are not as 'malleable' as those taken from embryos. While adult cells can, in theory, morph only into the cells in the organ they originate from, embryonic stem cells can become any cell the body needs. So, treating patients could involve using adult stem cells from their own brain, compatible specimens from donors or embryonic stem cells coaxed to turn into brain cells. Dr Taupin hopes to learn more about the brain, 'on what we can do to stimulate the regeneration process'. To help make his research goals a reality, he has applied for six research grants, both here and overseas, in the three months he has been here. SOURCE: Straits Times, Singapore http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/techscience/story/0,4386,235656,00.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn