Guest: Louisa Ludbrook, Prince Henry’s Institute (Fresh Scientist, 2008 )
Louisa is a PhD student at Prince Henry’s Institute and has helped to discover how an extra copy of a gene halts the process of becoming a boy. Using cells in culture, the researchers found that increasing copies of the gene DAX-1 could block the production of a potent male factor, called SOX9. This factor is important in most animals with testicles. “By knowing exactly the point when development of the testicles is blocked, we can help parents and doctors decide on the best treatment options for these kids, be it hormone therapy or surgery,” says Louisa.
http://www.scienceinpublic.com/sciencenow/2008/louisa_ludbrook.htm
Other stories: (listen to podcast)
How to survive an earthquake, human-like sperm from dental pulp, and biofuels from waste plant matter. We talk about a maths-packed kids book “A Story of Natural Numbers” and Dr Andi fills us in on her around-the-world conference tour.
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Direct podcast download: Einstein-A-Go-Go-20080720.mp3
Tags: biofuels, Disorders of Sex Development, DSD, earthquakes, sperm
