Genetic Factor Influences Heart Muscle Formation from Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers at the Gladstone Institute for Cardiovascular Disease discovered how two specific tiny genetic factors called microRNAs influence the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into heart muscle. They found that the factors not only drive the versatile cells to become heart, but also actively prevent them from becoming other tissue such as bone adding to their potential to make therapy more specific and targeted for patients.

Cell Stem Cell: March 6, 2008
CIRM funding: Kathey Ivey, E. Hsiao (T2-00003), Deepak Srivastava (RC1-00142)