By injecting a protein into mice with heart damage, researchers in Boston have shown that it's possible to cause adult heart-muscle cells to proliferate and cardiac function to improve. The approach could eventually prove valuable for heart-attack patients who have lost cardiac-muscle cells and some cardiac function, especially since existing therapies are unable to regenerate or restore these lost cells. Several large research groups are working on techniques to regenerate heart tissue. (source: technologyreview.com)
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