Sea urchins could be key to cures

6 July 2012 Last updated at 06:47 ET

Sea urchins could hold the key to developing cures for major diseases, according to scientists at St Andrews University.

They have found a unique genetic sequence in sea urchins and sponges previously only seen in viruses.

The process allows the introduction of multiple genes into a single gene, but still lets each new part of the gene create its original protein.

The technique could help develop a therapeutic response in human cells.

This latest finding builds on the earlier discovery of a short genetic sequence (2A) caused by viruses which can be used to return cells to a stem cell-like state.

Martin Ryan, professor of translational virology at the University of St Andrews, was the key researcher in that breakthrough.

He said it was a very exciting discovery: "You could put two - or more - different genes into one cell, but each individual gene would be expressed at very different levels."

Prof Ryan described the new findings as a massive step forward.

The unique sequence was first discovered in the foot-and-mouth disease virus, but has since been seen in other types of virus.

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Sea urchins could be key to cures