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Published online 30 January 2006 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news060130-1
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Prions give boost to stem cells
Study reveals hidden role for split-personality proteins.
Researchers have found clues to what prion proteins might be doing when they are not triggering brain disease: it seems they help certain stem cells to copy themselves.
Prion proteins can take two different forms: normal, and misfolded.
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