Scientists have described a very simple way of turning adult cells into stem cells newly discovered by US and Japanese researchers as a "game- changer"
The method, which involves nothing more than gently squeezing the cells or dipping them in a slightly acid bath, does not damage them and offers a cheap new way of getting supplies of the valuable cells for use in medical treatments.
The discovery is "a huge step forward" and "opens up a new vista of stem cell research" said Prof Tim O'Brien, director of the new stem cell manufacturing centre officially opened earlier this week at NUI Galway.
Stem cells hold considerable promise for delivering new medical treatments that involve the regeneration of lost or damaged tissues.
Conditions targeted
Prime areas under study include conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The treatments exploit the fact that stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are able to transform into any of the body's 200 different cell types.
The twin tasks of being able to secure large supplies of stem cells and then being certain they will do good rather than harm to patients are challenging aspects of their use. The best stem cells are nature’s own, but their only source is through the destruction of human embryos, leaving an ethical dilemma.
However, researchers have discovered a new way to produce embryonic-like cells by transforming mature cells from skin or blood into their earlier state using viruses, growth factors and chemical treatments. These processes result in induced pluripotent stem cells and offer a simpler way to replace damaged cells or grow new organs for sick and injured people.
This is why the finding by scientists from the Riken Centre for Developmental Biology in Japan, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the US has caused such excitement amongst researchers.
