Those studying tumour cells have no way of knowing all the different mutations that make them divide uncontrollably. Robert Weinberg and colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, have successfully transformed a healthy human cell into a cancer cell by making it express three genes that they know are switched on in tumours. "No one has ever been able to make a human cancer cell with a defined set of genes before," says Weinberg, who hopes that the research will help figure out how mutations interact to govern a tumourous growth ( New Scientist , Vol 163, No 2197).
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.