Johns Hopkins Scientists Discover Protein That Regulate Role of Stem Cells

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein that appears to play an important regulatory role in deciding whether stem cells differentiate into the cells that make up the brain, as well as countless other tissues, according to research published in the April issue of Developmental Cell. The finding could eventually shed light on developmental disorders, plus a variety of conditions that involve the generation of new neurons into adulthood, such as depression, stroke and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Researchers have long known that a small group of proteins called Notch plays a pivotal role in helping the immature cells found in embryos to develop into the variety of cells that exist throughout the body, including those that make up the brain, blood, kidneys and muscles. For more information, click here to read the full release.