Changes in metabolites can regulate earliest stages of development

By Michael McCarthy

Changes in cellular metabolites have been shown to regulate embryonic stem cell development at the earliest stages of life. Metabolites are simple compounds generated during life-sustaining chemical activities in cells.

The recent findings, discovered by members of the Ruohola-Baker Lab, should improve scientists’ ability to use embryonic stem cells to grow new tissues and organs to replace those damaged by disease or injury. The findings also could lead to new treatments for common disorders ranging from infertility to cancer.

The researchers reported on their study in the Nov. 16 issue of the journal, Nature Cell Biology.

Read the full story at Eurekalert.