| Jim Carter 2005-10-30, 6:22 pm |
| Scientists in the United States have for the first time turned
human embryonic stem cells in the laboratory into cells that
become internal organs, such as the pancreas, liver and lungs.
Experts say the findings, published in the journal Nature, are a
major breakthrough.
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to develop into any
type of cell in the body and it is this scope which makes them so
attractive in developing new treatments.
That recreating biological triggers that turn stem cells into
different tissue is proving elusive.
Researchers in the United States have managed to manipulate
embryonic stem cells into a primitive cell type called the
definite endoderm.
Their technique was so efficient that they managed to change
nearly all the embryonic stem cells used in the experiment.
This process is vital in the development of organs like the
pancreas, liver and lungs.
It may allow scientists to transform human embryonic stem cells
into replacement cells that could be used to treat diabetes, or
liver failure.
-BBC
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