Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Researchers Use Human Cells to Engineer Functional Sphincters in Lab

Source: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Date: August 9, 2011

Summary:

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have built the first functional anal sphincters in the laboratory, suggesting a potential future treatment for both fecal and urinary incontinence. Made from muscle and nerve cells, the sphincters developed a blood supply and maintained function when implanted in mice. The results are reported in the medical journal Gastroenterology.