A talk by CIRM concerning the genetic skin disease Epidermolysis Bullosa and how researchers at Stanford are using iPS cells to treat it. This is a very rare skin disease but those who have this endure a lifetime of suffering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie8b7Sfd9zk
This skin disease is horrible and sad for anyone to have! I read that it happens to 1/50,000 people, so if researchers can find a cure or to somehow reduce the suffering that would make a world of difference for the patients.
ReplyDeleteya there are two types of the disease, a recessive and a dominant form, not sure exactly how they differ from one another but both result in scarring of the skin and the slightest touch can tear the skin. but iPS treatment is supposed to help restore a certain type of collagen that is absent in those with this disease
ReplyDeleteyeah i was reading about a protein that is missing that enables the 2 layers of skin to attach, and it also affects the eyes, mouth, throat and intestines (these poor children). I was reading about this support team called dEBra and they said that 80% of the body is open wounds and blisters and since they are open it can lead to fungus and bacterial infections which then leads to squamous cell carcinoma :/ The lives of these parents are changed forever because they spend hours each day changing bandages. This would be an awesome research to be a part of...come on researchers if you find a cure for epidermolysis bullosa or something better than just bandages all parents and suffering children would praise you!
ReplyDelete