Stem cell research holds promise for improving the quality of human life ― especially embryonic¹（胚胎的） stem cells, which can potentially develop into any tissue in the human body. However, basic scientific problems still remain unresolved –– but Tel Aviv University researchers are leading the way to inventive（独出心裁的） solutions. "In order to use embryonic stem cells as a reliable and safe therapeutic²（治疗的） tool, we have to find strategies to control their differentiation³ so we get exactly the type of cells we desire," says Dr. Yechiel Elkabetz of Tel Aviv University's Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty⁴ of Medicine. To do that, Dr. Elkabetz is building tools based on genetic⁶ engineering of human embryonic stem cells, which will enable his research group to mark, isolate⁷ and track the growth of the very early nervous system stem cells (or neural⁸ stem cells) he recently identified. His current research is based on a series of articles he published in Genes⁹ & Development and Nature Biotechnology, while still at Sloan-Kettering Institute in the U.S.

Ideally, researchers would like to grow stem cells in order to replace those that are missing in patients, such as motor neurons（运动神经元） in the spinal¹⁰ cord（脊髓） of victims of ALS, or dopamine（多巴胺） neurons in the brains of Parkinson's disease sufferers. But because our understanding of how embryonic stem cells evolve in the Petri dish is only beginning to become clear, such cells may often "take on a life of their own" in the laboratory –– turning into tumors or cells they weren't expected to become.

Avoiding cellular¹¹ "Jekylls and Hydes"

"We need to create a common platform –– or language –– of neural stem cells that researchers around the world can use," says Dr. Elkabetz. "Our new approach could set the stage for generating better defined neural stem cells, minimizing risks, and giving scientists the ultimate tool for developing new hypotheses（假定，臆测） and experiments."

While numerous kinds of neural stem cells potentially exist, Dr. Elkabetz has identified a specific neural stem cell type with the capacity to generate a broad range of nervous system cell types in response to appropriate developmental signals he defines.

The cells he identified ― called rosette-stage NSCs (R-NSCs) ― are different from other neural stem cells in the way they look, express genes, and in their special needs for growth. Based on his initial investigation¹² and preliminary results, Dr. Elkabetz has been able to track their behavior, development and gene⁵ expression. With this information, he is now developing tools to cultivate a range of optimal¹³ neural stem cells that can be instructed to become exactly what he wants them to, eliminating the risk of the "wild" runaway¹⁴ stem cells that can cause undesired effects.

A standard for the world

Dr. Elkabetz's research has allowed him to begin creating a protocol¹⁵（协议，草案） which may result in "freezing" the natural development of these cells for the first time ever, subsequently making them reproduce or self-propagate（传播，繁殖） in large numbers, he says. This should allow the cells to develop into much more specific neural cell types, which in turn can be used to better understand the progression of nervous system disorders¹⁶, discover new drugs, and replace defective¹⁷（有缺陷的） cells in the brains of Parkinson's patients.

The implications（含义，启示） of this research can provide the basis for a new kind of research tool, one that biologists（生物学家） around the world could use to define and grow the specific kinds of neural stem cells they require. Dr. Elkabetz hopes that it will become an international standard against which scientists can test new hypotheses and compare findings.