Uncovering the Cues that Prompt Cell Growth
In a revolutionary discovery, scientists have found that cells may have the ability to ‘cue’ their own growth. This discovery could have massive implications for the medical field, as it provides new insight into how cells can be manipulated to help treat a variety of diseases. By understanding the signals that cells use to determine when to grow, scientists can develop new therapies that may be able to help treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes and even aging. The research team, based at the University of Sydney, were able to identify the mechanism by which cells can ‘cue’ their own growth. They found that a certain type of molecule known as ‘auxin’ is responsible for this process. Auxin is a hormone-like molecule that helps to control cell growth and development. The team was able to demonstrate that when auxin is present in a cell, it can trigger a series of reactions that lead to the cell growing. Their findings suggest that the manipulation of auxin could be used to help regulate cell growth, leading to new treatments for a wide range of diseases.
source: Phys.org