Can cord blood be used?

Article Abstract:

Selected patients with aplastic anemia, leukemia, and other inherited disorders of the bone marrow are presently treated by transplantation of histocompatible bone marrow cells (that have tissue antigens or proteins that are genetically similar to the patient's cells to prevent tissue rejection). Bone marrow cells contain progenitor cells or immature cells which develop into functionally-active blood cells. Only a quarter of the patients requiring bone marrow transplantation have histocompatible-matched siblings, which are a common source of matched bone marrow cells. Bone marrow donor banks are being developed in many countries. A large pool of donors is necessary to match donor and patient cells; 250,000 donors are needed to achieve a 59 percent chance of finding a compatible donor. Instead of bone marrow cells, it may be possible to use neonatal blood from the umbilical cord or the placenta of a newborn as a source of progenitor cells. Fetal cord blood contains approximately the same numbers of progenitor cells as adult bone marrow. The use of fetal blood could increase the number of donors of progenitor cells. There are two possible problems with the use of fetal cord blood. First, mature T lymphocytes, which are involved in tissue rejection are removed from bone marrow cells. This procedure also removes a portion of the progenitor cells. Applying this procedure to cord blood may result in a volume of cells too small for transplantation. The second problem is that some of the mother's blood cells can mix with the fetal cells during birth. This could cause the transfer of incompatible T cells to the patient and stimulate rejection of the donated cells.

Care and treatment, Blood collection and preservation, Bone marrow, Bone marrow transplantation, Leukemia, Umbilical cord, Hematopoietic stem cell disorders

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The wages of spin: Steps to increase the transparency of the procedures used to judge the safety of genetically modified foods are to be welcomed. The scientific advice on which such judgements are made must reflect the same openness

Article Abstract:

The British government announced that consumer and ethics representatives would be appointed to two new bodies responsible for monitoring developments in human genetics and agricultural use of biotechnology. However they have resisted calls for widening the membership of technical advisory committees to include non-scientist members. Also a letter leaked to the media, indicates the existence of a Biotechnology Presentation Group within the Cabinet Office, which is seeking changes to a scientific report on the safety of genetically modified foods..

Safety and security measures, Plant genetic engineering

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Clostridium used in mediaeval dyeing

Article Abstract:

In mediaeval times the pigment indigo was reduced to a soluble form by a fermenting woad vat. These techniques of woad preparation have been reproduced to show that the bacterium Clostridium was responsible for the reduction of indigo. Isolates of indigo-reducing Gram-positive anaerobic bacterial were enriched using indigo-supplemented, reinforced clostridial aga. The medium became colourless under anaerobic conditions and was blue on exposure to air.

Research, Clostridium, Dyes and dyeing, Dyeing, Dyes

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