A star is born: Lesser-known brain cell takes center stage
It is a stylized microscopy picture of an astrocyte (pink) and neuron (inexperienced). Blue circles point out cell nuclei. Credit score: Salk Institute Neurons have lengthy loved the highlight in neuroscience -- and for good purpose: they're extremely vital mobile actors. However, more and more, star-shaped assist cells known as astrocytes are being seen as greater than bit gamers within the mind's wealthy pageant. Salk researchers reported a brand new technique of deriving astrocytes from stem cells, opening up broad avenues for analysis into illnesses with inflammatory options. The protocol, which is described within the June 6, 2017, situation of Stem Cell Reviews , affords a quicker and simpler method to acquire astrocytes for mind analysis that might yield breakthroughs for remedies of such numerous circumstances as stroke, Alzheimer's or psychiatric problems. "This work represents an enormous le...