Source: Stanford University Medical Center
Posted: June 21, 2006
Summary:
Stanford, Calif. - Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have taken a first step toward growing blood vessels from stem cells that could eventually be transplanted into living organisms. Starting with embryonic stem cells derived from mice, surgical resident Oscar Abilez, MD, and colleagues have successfully differentiated the stem cells into myocytes, one of the building blocks of blood vessels, after placing them in a life-like growth environment that the research team had created. The scientists hope to be able to eventually grow whole blood vessels that can be transplanted back into mice. The ultimate goal of the research is to bring together two of today's most promising areas of medical investigation: stem cell research and tissue engineering.
Commentary: If this technique can be research further and successfully replicated in experiments in other animals, maybe it could eventually lead to improved treatment of cardiovascular disease in a diverse population of humans.
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