Skin Cells Made into Heart Cells



Scientists at UCLA have succeeded in reprogramming stem cells from mouse skin to become functioning cardiac cells. This is the first trial to find that partially differentiated, or iPS cells that don’t involve embyos or eggs can be made into the three types of cardiac cells needed for heart repair. Senior author of the study Dr. Robb MacLellan says the results are encouraging.

“I believe iPS cells address many of the shortcomings of human embryonic stem cells and are the future of regenerative medicine,” said MacLellan, an associate professor of cardiology and physiology. “I’m hoping that these scientific findings are the first step towards one day developing new therapies that I can offer my patients. There are still many limitations with using iPS cells in clinical studies that we must overcome, but there are scientists in labs across the country working to address these issues right now.”

Further studies at UCLA will try to determine whether human cells can be reprogrammed as well as the mouse cells. Link -via Digg

(image credit: Dake)


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Posted on May 1, 2008 at 10:54 am by Miss Cellania
Category: Medicine, Science & Tech



8 Comments to "Skin Cells Made into Heart Cells"

  • fsmarch
    May 1st, 2008 at 11:12 am

    The possibilities involved with stem cells are endless. And to think that we’re just getting started with them.

  • NiteWhite
    May 1st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Those that bleat behind their enraptured pastors eager to do ‘god’s bidding’ and avoid the ultimate spiritual disciplinary action of their Janus-faced, by turns loving and damning, imaginary god, will of course object to this manipulation of life.

    Satan is really busy nowadays. Scientists/Satanists can also create sperm cells from women’s bone marrow! These are surely the ‘end times’ LOL

  • sparge
    May 1st, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Sorry NiteWhite, but no babies were harmed in the making of this research. Please take your trolling elsewhere.

  • fsmarch
    May 1st, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    Thank you, sparge , you said what I was going to.

  • someguy
    May 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    While the “pro-choice” crowd has been fighting to get federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, the actual scientists have been developing incredible treatments using adult stem cells, cord blood, etc.

    It’s good to know we can stand up for moral beliefs without having to give up scientific progress, despite what some anti-religious folks might think.

  • Selvo
    May 1st, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    Questionable science. I’m not accusing you of lying, but science seems to get stretched on the net.

  • sparge
    May 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 am

    Do you have any actual criticisms Selvo, or are you just trying to be contrary?

  • Shannon
    May 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am

    @selvo

    questionable science? Did you read the publication? What do you find questionable about the work?

    Or are you just a troll? Go back to your video games.

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