Helping Embryonic Stem Cells Make Dopamine

Helping Embryonic Stem Cells Make Dopamine

Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have devised a method to increase the rate of dopamine production by embryonic stem cells. A lack of dopamine is one of the conditions of Parkinson’s disease, but in the past it has been difficult to get embryonic stem cells to differentiate into dopamine producing brain cells.

Now, by using “blood serum, serum replacement products and cell conditioned media,” the researchers have been able to get the cells to produce dopamine within three weeks, instead of the usual five to eight weeks. The new method also avoids using cells which have potentially been contaminated with animal products.

In the study, the researchers used younger stem cells (“Stage 4”), which were still dividing. These solved the problem which came up with using older stem cells; the older stem cells failed to survive being harvested from the cultures. The younger stem cells will continue differentiation after being transplanted to the brain. However, there is the possibility of overproduction, which is the next area the researchers will take on.

The study is reported on EurekAlert.