Canadian researchers at McMaster University made scientific history when they successfully converted human skin cells into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet forming cells. Mick Bhatia, who heads up the team, hopes this process may be able to supersede the use of some stem cell transplants. Not only would this development help mitigate the political controversy surrounding stem cell research, but would also minimize the cancer causing effects of stem cells.
The benefit of these fast replicating cells is also their curse as they run the risk of regenerating uncontrollably, thereby becoming cancerous. By transforming skins cells directly into fully formed adult blood cells Bhatia and the McMaster team hope to bypass the risk caused by stem cells’ generative process.
Mick Bhatia talks about the impact of this breakthrough and the next steps for the team in the video below.
[ ]
Similar Posts:
- Blood and Skin
- Hebrew University researchers demonstrate why DNA breaks down in cancer cells
- MicroRNA suppresses prostate cancer stem cells and metastasis
- UCSF stem-cell based neurological, liver therapy strategies advanced
- California ponders cell-banking venture
