1 November 2012 — A gene that is as

1 November 2012 — A gene that is associated with regeneration of injured nerve cells has been identified by scientists at Penn State University and Duke University. The team, led by Melissa Rolls, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, has found that a mutation in a single gene can entirely shut down the process by which axons -- the parts of the nerve cell that are responsible for sending signals to other cells -- regrow themselves after being cut or damaged. "We are hopeful that this discovery will open the door to new research related to spinal-cord and other neurological disorders in humans," Rolls said. The journal Cell Reports will publish an early online copy of the paper on 1 November, and also will include the paper in the monthly issue of the journal, which will be published on 29 November 2012.Rolls explained that axons, which form long bundles extending out from nerve cells, ideally survive throughout an animal's lifetime. To be able to survive, nerve cells need to be resilient and, in the event of injury or simple wear and tear, some can repair damage by growing new axons. Earlier research from Rolls and others suggested that microtubules -- the intracellular "highways" along which basic building blocks are transported -- might need to be rebuilt as an important step in this type of repair. "In many ways this idea makes sense: in order to grow a new part of a nerve, raw materials will be needed, and the microtubule highways will need to be organized to take the new materials to the site of growth," Rolls said. The Rolls

1 November 2012 — A gene that is associated with regeneration of injured nerve cells has been identified by scientists at Penn State University and Duke University. The team, led by Melissa Rolls, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, has found that a mutation in a single gene can entirely shut down the process by which axons -- the parts of the nerve cell that are responsible for sending signals to other cells -- regrow themselves after being cut or damaged. "We are hopeful that this discovery will open the door to new research related to spinal-cord and other neurological disorders in humans," Rolls said. The journal Cell Reports will publish an early online copy of the paper on 1 November, and also will include the paper in the monthly issue of the journal, which will be published on 29 November 2012.

Rolls explained that axons, which form long bundles extending out from nerve cells, ideally survive throughout an animal's lifetime. To be able to survive, nerve cells need to be resilient and, in the event of injury or simple wear and tear, some can repair damage by growing new axons. Earlier research from Rolls and others suggested that microtubules -- the intracellular "highways" along which basic building blocks are transported -- might need to be rebuilt as an important step in this type of repair. "In many ways this idea makes sense: in order to grow a new part of a nerve, raw materials will be needed, and the microtubule highways will need to be organized to take the new materials to the site of growth," Rolls said. The Rolls

1 November 2012 - A gene that is associated with regeneration of injured nerve cells has been identified by scientists. At Penn State University and Duke University. The team led by, Melissa Rolls an assistant, Professor of Biochemistry and. Molecular biology at, Penn StateHas found that a mutation in a single gene can entirely shut down the process by which axons - the parts of the nerve. Cell that are responsible for sending signals to other cells - regrow themselves after being cut or damaged. "We are hopeful. That this discovery will open the door to new research related to spinal-cord and other neurological disorders, in humans ". Rolls said.The Journal Cell Reports will publish an early online copy of the paper on, 1 November and also will include the paper. In the monthly issue of, the journal which will be published on 29 November 2012.

Rolls explained that axons which form,, Long bundles extending out from nerve cells ideally survive, throughout an animal 's lifetime. To be able, to survive nerve. Cells need to be, resilient andIn the event of injury or simple wear and tear some can, repair damage by growing new axons. Earlier research from Rolls. And others suggested that microtubules - the intracellular "highways" along which basic building blocks are transported - might. Need to be rebuilt as an important step in this type of repair. "In many ways this idea makes sense: in order to grow a. New part of, a nerveRaw materials will, be needed and the microtubule highways will need to be organized to take the new materials to the. Site of growth, "Rolls said. The Rolls
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