British-led stem cell breakthrough in battle against motor neuron disease

BRAIN cells bearing a potentially deadly genetic mutation linked to motor neuron disease were created for the first time in a British laboratory.

The stem cell breakthrough marks the first significant step in a major offensive against the devastating condition whose victims include renowned astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking.

A University of Edinburgh team, including Dolly the Sheep pioneer Professor Ian Wilmut, transformed ordinary skin cells from patients into “tainted” motor nerves carrying the defect.