Page 17 - Sphere No.15 (Nov 2005)

S PHERE 15
W HAT DO THE ACTOR Christopher Reeve,
President Ronald Reagan and former world
heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali
have in common? The answer is their medical conditions.
Reeve suffered spinal cord injuries after a riding acci-
dent that left him paralysed; President Reagan’s
Alzheimer’s disease left him unable to recognise
family members in his final years; Ali is battling
Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological
condition. All could have benefited in some form
from human stem cell research.
Scientists believe stem cell research holds the
key to unlocking countless medical mysteries. They
are hopeful it will one day help find new treatments or
even cures for some of the deadliest diseases, including can-
cer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis,
HIV/AIDS, and even help severe burn victims.
Stem cells have the ability to generate healthy new cells,
tissue and even organs that can replace diseased or dysfunc-
tional cells. This provides an alternative and renewable
source for specialised cells in the event that donors cannot
be found for a particular organ or specific tissue.
Researchers are currently investigating the use of adult, fetal
and embryonic stem cells as a resource for various spe-
cialised cell types which range from nerve cells to muscle,
skin and even blood cells, to treat a host of diseases.
For example, in Parkinson’s disease, stem cells may be
used to form a special kind of nerve cell that secretes
dopamine. Transplanted into a patient, these cells will work
to rewire the brain and restore function, thus curing
patients of the disease.
“Stem cell biology is incipient. Real solutions and
therapies can only be effectively explored once
the basic biology of stem cells is understood,”
said Robert Tjian, professor of biochemistry and
molecular biology, also faculty director of the
health sciences initiative at UC Berkeley. “One of
the major challenges facing stem cell research is
to understand the molecular and underpinnings of
stem cell differentiation and developmental biology,
areas of research in which UC Berkeley is premier.”
Looking ahead, there is no doubt stem cell research at
UC Berkeley will benefit from the inter-disciplinary
approach brought on by the health sciences initiative, while
the physical infrastructure of the Li Ka Shing Center will
provide research facilities of the highest standard.
By leveraging on the university’s excellence in molecular
and cell biology, genetics, genomics, neuroscience, chem-
istry, biophysics, bioengineering, computational biology and
even advanced imaging techniques, UC Berkeley scientists
hope to contribute to discoveries that could mean the dif-
ference between life and death for patients.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
From far left: The university’s landmark bell tower; Jay Keasling,
who is developing a cheap new anti-malaria drug; faculty
director Professor Robert Tjian; a research programme
at the Henry Wheeler Brain Research Center that will be
housed at the new Li Ka Shing Center; students attending
a lecture; Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger
thanks Mr Li for his generous donation to UC Berkeley.