Gene Mutation May Cause Immature Lungs In Newborns

Scientists have identified a gene critical to lung maturation in newborns and the production of surfactant, which lines lung tissues and prevents the lungs from collapsing. In a study posted online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), investigators at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center deleted the Foxm1 gene in embryonic mice.

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Filed under: Genetics on November 27th, 2008