Well James I am also a novice. I think stem cells come in two types, Self
and Non-Self. Non-Self are the easiest to come by. The stems from self
should pose no problem with immune factors. But Non-Self seem to be a worry.
Their has been research that states that enough of the Non-Self Stems will
survive a transplant to still allow reinervation of damaged tissue to some
extents. The stem cells will no doupt have to contain a cocktail of mixtures
to insure the growth and connection of the nerves. As for gene theraphy they
are making strides in that area every day. In one study Science News /
Sept.9 2000 they are experimenting with disabling polo-virus dangers and
using it to deliver a genetic cargo. I am not sure now, but I think, a gene
would produce thousands of proteins and that these proteins are what would
trigger an reaction in the biological matrix of tissue. they would be
expressed from the gene externally and act like a catalist for activating
other reactions or producing results. I am not sure but this thing has me
worried about zenotranplants. where the foreen tissues genes might allow
detrimental expresions some how. Any feed back or education is appreciated.
I like to hear your theories also.
"James Webster" <jwebster at sirius.com> wrote in message
news:jwebster-1605012303480001 at user-2ivflab.dialup.mindspring.com...
> I am a writer exploring the possiblities of both stem cell research and
> gene therapy. My particular interest lies in tissue regeneration,
> especially that of the CNS. As a lay person, I find these topics
> fascinating but at times confusing, and I was wondering if you might be
> able to answer a few simple questions for me.
>> Lately there has been some publicity surrounding the use of stem cells as
> an alternative to retroviruses and adenoviruses as shuttles for gene
> therapy. There has also been a lot of publicity about the possible use of
> stem cells (as well as Schwann cells) to repair CNS damage. One question:
> would the latter involve engineered stem cells, or just stem cells from
> the individual in question?
>> Question two: if a gene sequence were found that somehow "switched on" a
> body's ability to regenerate tissue, as a salamander can regenerate a lost
> limb, do you believe this would involve tissue-specific vectors, i.e.
> separate vectors for nerves, muscle, etc., or a more generic, conspecific
> approach that would benefit best from stem cells?
>> Though several people I know are quadraplegic, none realistically expect a
> "cure" from this sort of therapy; the consensus in the disabled community
> seems to be that Christopher Reeve is impossibly upbeat. I share their
> scepticism, but I am interested in what's theoretically possible, say
> within the next 20-30 years.
>> Thank you for your time,
>> Jim Webster
>jsibleywebster at mindspring.com>> --
> Jim Webster
>jwebster at sirius.com>http://www.sirius.com/~jwebster