Apr 05

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Stem Cell Research Also Included In: Biology / GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Article Date: 05 Apr 2013 & 3:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Stem Cells Harvested From Human Gut For First Time

Researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, and other colleagues, report their findings in the 4 April online issue of Stem Cells.

In their background information they explain that while important facts about stem cells have been uncovered using stem cells from mice, to find information that is clinically useful, you eventually have to work with actual human stem cells.

A UNC press release describes the finding as a &leap forward& in stem cell research.

Senior author Scott T. Magness, assistant professor in the departments of medicine, biomedical engineering, and cell and molecular physiology at UNC, says:

&Not having these cells to study has been a significant roadblock to research. Until now, we have not had the technology to isolate and study these stem cells & now we have to tools to start solving many of these problems.&

Magness and his team were the first US lab to isolate and grow single gut stem cells from mice, so they already had a head start in trying to pursue a similar approach in human gut tissue.

Also, thanks to the nearby gastric bypass surgery unit at UNC, they had ready access to sections of otherwise-discarded human intestinal tissue.

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Stem Cells Harvested From Human Gut For First Time - Stem Cell Cafe