Nanos "US Salk Institute Announces Mechanism of Muscle Cell Regeneration Protein 'Wnt4'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] The Salk Institute in the United States, invested in by Nanos, recently announced through the world-renowned journal Nature Communications that it has discovered the world's first mechanism regulating muscle cell regeneration by the Wnt4 gene.

Chao Wang, a researcher at the Salk Institute, said, "Our study revealed specific factors that accelerate muscle regeneration and the mechanisms by which this occurs."

The researchers emphasized that by using compounds to activate muscle cell precursors, they increased muscle cell regeneration in mice. They explained that in a specific model of myofibers (longitudinal fibers within muscle cells), adding Yamanaka factors led to a decrease in the protein called ‘Wnt4’ in the myofiber niche, which accelerated muscle regeneration and reactivated satellite cells.

They added, "By discovering the protein Wnt4 that regulates muscle cell regeneration, it could be utilized as a target for preventing or regenerating muscle loss."

Researchers at the Salk Institute are studying methods to rejuvenate cells using mRNA and genetic engineering. Known for producing six Nobel laureates, the Salk Institute is one of the world's top five research institutes focused on basic biological research, established under the leadership of Dr. Salk, who developed the polio vaccine.

Additionally, the Salk Institute conducts research related to cancer, genetic diseases, Alzheimer's, AIDS, and more. It is especially renowned in the fields of aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and plant research. Currently, 1,100 PhDs are conducting research in various fields, including 7 to 8 Korean researchers.

Meanwhile, Nanos invested $1.5 million in the Salk Institute in 2018, securing a foundation for entering the bio business through this investment.