Further Advance in Artificial Stem Cells - Blood Platelets Created |
Made from 'artificial' embryonic stem cells |
|
Editors published 2/9/2009 12:28:00 PM
|
Kyoto University's Shinya Yamanaka and University of Tokyo's Naoya Takayama were the first in the world to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) cells (think artificial embryonic stem cells) using skin cells from mice in 2006, then in humans in November 2007. They have now proceeded to the next step by creating blood platelets using these cells.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells have been used since 2008 to develop platelets, but they were subject to rejection. The hope is that platelets derived from iPS cells will be accepted by the body.
Platelets are collected through blood donations, so the group's research could provide an alternative source if the safety of the technique is confirmed and can be replicated on a mass scale.
|
| |
