Genetic findings offer hope for cures

Published on Monday 20 April 2009 10:04

PIONEERING genetic research in Edinburgh could lead to new treatments for diseases such as leukaemia and arthritis.

The work by scientists at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh has led to fresh insights into the way genes communicate with each other, something which could lead to new treatments for diseases of the immune system.

New research has found that the network by which genes interact with each other is much more complicated than previously thought.

The scientists focused on the immune system and examined the genes involved with white blood cells called macrophages.

When healthy, these cells cleanse the body of viruses and bacteria, but if they grow uncontrollably they can turn against the body's own tissue to cause conditions such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and emphysema.

The findings show that there are hundreds of regulator genes which all interact with each other to control cell development and growth, and this explains why different people can develop a disease in different ways.

Professor David Hume, director of the Roslin Institute, said: "

This study has effectively shown us where the brakes are that could stop or slow down diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis.

"We genuinely believe this could lead to treatments and cures for many diseases of the immune system."