Researchers in Turku advance stem cell and cancer research
Professor Riitta Lahesmaa’s research group has found a new protein essential for human embryonic stem cells.
The research group, based in the Turku Centre for Biotechnology, has found a new protein. Protein L1TD1 is essential for human stem cells. The researchers utilised DNA microarray, used to measure the expression of genes in a human genome.
Protein L1D1 also occurs in testacular cancer tumours. In the future, the protein may be used in cancer diagnostics or in the development of pharmaceutical treatments. The results of the study are significant on the field of stem cell and cancer research.
The findings are a result of long-term research. Key researchers of the group directed by Riitta Lahesmaa include Elisa Närvä, Nelly Rahkonen, Maheswara Reddy Emani and Riikka Lund.
The study has been published in the online version of the acclaimed international Stem Cells journal.
Text: JM
Translation: SK