The era of stem cells is just beginning and will yield undreamed-of forms of tailored treatment for damaged body parts and organs, said Prof David Warburton.‘In about 20 years’ time we will have stem cell banks just like we now have pharmacies with medicines in them,’ he is expected to say.
‘You’ll get a diagnosis for a specific problem and be given stem cells to treat that problem.’
Stem cells are ‘mother’ cells that can be farmed in a laboratory to make replacement tissue, such as brain neurons or insulin-producing pancreas cells.
Cells obtained from embryos may develop into any kind of tissue in the human body – while adult stem cells can be taken from any organ and will reproduce themselves, offering the potential for complete regeneration of any organ from a few healthy cells.
Combining genetics with regenerative medicine has enormous potential, Prof Warburton believes.
His team at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles are attempting to grow lungs from stem cells – a feat already achieved in animals. ‘It’s a wonderful time to be working in medical research,’ he said.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/834782-tailored-stem-cells-on-high-st-in-20yrs#ixzz18EEGD4w5
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