Young blood
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=261
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In this Science Update, students examine how old muscles heal more quickly when exposed to young blood. Stanford University neurologist Thomas Rando found that blood from younger mice stimulated stem cells in the muscles and livers of older mice, and these are the cells that generate new tissue. During the study, the researchers found delta-proteins, which serve as a kind of molecular switch that seems to enhance healing and tissue repair. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions to engage students in discussion about the benefits of bathing old muscles in “young blood,” what stem cells are and the role they play in research, and possible treatments and therapies that might arise from this research. This activity also contains links to an online exhibit from the Science Museum of Minnesota and another similar lesson from Science NetLinks.
