Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Date: August 5, 2005
Summary:
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on a discovery by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh of a type of cell found in the human placenta that may have characteristics similar to embryonic stem cells:
"University of Pittsburgh researchers have discovered that one type of cell in the human placenta has characteristics that are strikingly similar to embryonic stem cells in their ability to regenerate a wide variety of tissues. The cells, called amniotic epithelial cells, potentially could be used to produce new liver cells to treat liver failure, or new pancreatic islet cells to cure diabetes or new neurons to treat Parkinson's disease."
