Source: University of Pennsylvania
Posted: August 24, 2006
Summary:
A certain type of adult stem cell can turn into bone, muscle, neurons or other types of tissue depending on the "feel" of its physical environment, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers discovered that mesenchymal stem cells, which regularly reside in the bone marrow as part of the body's natural regenerative mechanism, depend on physical clues from their local environment in order to transform into different types of tissue. The researchers were even able to manipulate stem cells by changing the firmness of the gel on which they were grown. The researchers believe that their findings could change the way in which people work with stem cells.
Commentary: Maybe this discovery will hasten scientists' ability to transform stem cell in to specific cell and tissue types.
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