Using cancer cells to cure heart disease

As the heart ages, its cells become less able to proliferate. However, researchers at San Diego State University have found a way to encourage cardiac cells to divide using Pim, an enzyme that is partly responsible for the rapid growth of tumours. After modifying their cardiac progenitor cells to express Pim in certain places, mice lived longer. Early in vitro results using tissue have been promising and it is hoped that the technology can examined further in clinical trials.