China Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Stem cells turned into internal organ cells Last Update: Saturday, October 29, 2005. 6:36pm (AEST) Scientists in the United States have for the first time turned human embryonic stem cells in the laboratory into cells that become internal organs, such as the pancreas, liver and lungs. Experts say the findings, published in the journal Nature, are a major breakthrough. Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to develop into any type of cell in the body and it is this scope which makes them so attractive in developing new treatments. That recreating biological triggers that turn stem cells into different tissue is proving elusive. Researchers in the United States have managed to manipulate embryonic stem cells into a primitive cell type called the definite endoderm. Their technique was so efficient that they managed to change nearly all the embryonic stem cells used in the experiment. This process is vital in the development of organs like the pancreas, liver and lungs. It may allow scientists to transform human embryonic stem cells into replacement cells that could be used to treat diabetes, or liver failure. -BBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinInsite Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Woohoo, new livers for everyone. Time to start drinking again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Is immortality (not in the most literal sense) even out of the question anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 I don't know, Liberty. The brain is not replaceable, and that is where "you " are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 I don't know, Liberty. The brain is not replaceable, and that is where "you " are. why not? sure it isn't right now, but there is no absolute reason why we can't given more time and resources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 They have turned them into organ cells, that's still a long way from creating whole organs. A kidney, for example, isn't just a mass of the same type of cell. It has a specific structure. They have not recreated that yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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