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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd October 2015
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Zebrafish 'able to repair spinal cord injuries'
In a cross section of the adult zebrafish spinal cord, stem cells (green) can be seen to divide (red and/or blue)
In a cross section of the adult zebrafish spinal cord, stem cells (green) can be seen to divide (red and/or blue).

Discovery may offer hope for new therapies in humans
 
Zebrafish are able to heal their own spinal cord injuries by growing new motor neurons, scientists have discovered.

It is hoped this finding could one day lead to new therapies for people with neurodegenerative conditions, such as motor neuron disease.

Damage to motor neurons in humans - either as a result of neurodegeneration or spinal cord injury - is irreversible.

Yet researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that serotonin - best known as the mood boosting hormone - can help zebrafish recover from spinal cord injuries.

They found the hormone is able to send signals to stem cells found in the spinal cord, boosting the growth of new motor neurons.

Using these findings, scientists say they may be able to grow motor neurons in the lab, aiding research into neurodegenerative conditions in humans.

Dr Thomas Becker, from Edinburgh's Centre for Neuroregeneration and the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, said: "Understanding how zebrafish are able to repair damaged nerves could one day help us to trigger similar mechanisms in human stem cells.

"Our hope is that this may eventually lead to new treatments for conditions such as motor neuron disease, for which there is no cure."

Image (c) Catherina Becker, University of Edinburgh.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.