Pace-makers replaced with reprogammed cells instead
3 February 2005
by Richard
Conan-Davies
|
Electronic metal encassed pace makers could be a thing of the past according to medical researchers in Australia. These chuncky devices could be replaced by injecting specially programmed strands of DNA into the heart to keep them ticking away more regularly. Dr Ian Alexander, Head of Gene Therapy at the Children's Medical Research Institute explained that, "Adding the genes is like reprogramming the cells; the first gene programs the cell to be excitable like a muscle cell, the second gene allows the cells to communicate with each other - essential for the electrical pulse of the heart to be passed on. The scar cells take on totally new characteristics." Dr Alexander. suggests that such a technique could be beneficial not only for heart disease patients but in other conditions where the heart fails to beat correctly for example congenital children with heart block diseases. |
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Original news release from Children's Medical Research Institute (PDF file)
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