Here First - Science and Technology Blog

Djikic, a professor at the Institute for Biochemistry at Goethe University and CEF (Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt) Institute has presented his latest discovery of a mechanism that mammals’ cells use for disposal of malign substances. He believes the discovery could be used to create more- successful medications. The scientist identified proteins that take part in the process of cells’ removal of substances linked to tumours and neuro-degenerative diseases. That mechanism has been known to scientists for a long time, but Djikic discovered receptors that make the process selective. An article about this breakthrough discovery has been published in the well-known science magazine "Molecular Cell." photo credit © Wikipedia

Scientists have grown eggs from tissue taken from five-year-old girls meaning future childhood cancer sufferers could go on to have children of their own. There is known that children and young people who go through cancer are left infertile by the treatment in most of the cases. They are faced with having to use donated eggs and sperm or adopting to have their own family. The problem is very difficult for children who develop cancer before they reach puberty. The eggs or sperm cannot be freeze at this time. But we have good news! Scientists have managed to grow eggs in the lab using samples of ovarian tissue taken from girls as young as five. Immature eggs can be removed from the tissue and grown to maturity in special culture. The next step will be to see if they can be fertilised to create viable embryos. These could then be frozen and stored for future use or the unfertilised eggs could be frozen using the latest techniques which have proven more effective. Around 1,500 children un...