Have a peak at this
article in the telegraph:
It sounds almost too
good to be true! The team at Cambridge
University
This could prove to be
an excellent and efficient method to slowly introduce the use of stem cell
technology in the clinic in a more widespread manner. One of the many benefits
is that these new stem cells can be stored for a significant period of time and
grow fairly easily. The “late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells” – as they’re
known, are then subsequently turned into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells,
which can be turned into other body cells.
Up until now scientists
hadn’t found an appropriate type of cell in the blood that could be turned into a
stem cell so this is quite an advance!
One of the other considerations
is that it is much more practical and easy to put into practice in the clinic. Often
iPS cells are taken from the skin or other tissues, which can require surgery
such as a biopsy. These tissue biopsies are undesirable particularly for
children and the elderly whereas taking blood samples is routine for all
patients.
Dr Rana, a lecturer in
Regenerative Medicine, put great emphasis on the need for a cautious approach at this
early stage as there as still many safety issues that need to be overcome.
“The ultimate aim is
to grow tissue … which we can use in replacement therapies, that would be
ideal.”
“But a really important step is, rather than simple think
about the technology in a laboratory, transfer it into a clinic and make it
useful for everybody.”
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