Study of ‘sister’ stem cells uncovers new cancer clue

September 30, 2013

Scientists have used a brand new technique for examining individual stem cells to uncover dramatic differences in the gene expression levels – which genes are turned ‘up’ or ‘down’– between apparently identical ‘sister’ pairs. The research, published today in Stem Cell Reports, was conducted and funded by The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It provides the latest evidence that despite having identical DNA, sister stem cells can display considerable differences in their molecular characteristics. (Medical Xpress)