New Source of Stem Cells - look what they found after all that fuss!
By whittby
@whittby (3072)
United States
April 23, 2008 5:04pm CST
A new source of stem cells may end controversies over taking tissue from fetuses or other sources, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.
The team said it has identified stroll stem cells from connective tissues in the fluid, coming from endometrial tissues in the uterus.
"Stromal stem cells derived from menstrual blood exhibit stem cell properties, such as the capacity for self-renewal and multipotency," meaning they can turn into other kinds of cells, said Dr. Amit N. Patel. "Uterine stromal cells have similar multipotent markers found in bone marrow stem cells and originate in part from bone marrow."
He said that in some tests, they performed better than cells from bones.
Does this make you wonder why we had all that fuss over tissue? They just had to look a little further. Makes you wonder what would have happened if legislation had gone over to approval of the procedure - would this new method ever have been discovered or used? I may be a little naivive, but this seems incredibly easy to manage compared to other alternatives? Do you follow the news on this stuff?
http://www.fox5vegas.com/health/15967116/detail.html
2 people like this
4 responses
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Thank you for sharing that... I was not aware. Although a better alternative than we have now.. how in the hell are they EVER going to collect it? I have endometriosis.. I guess every time I go in to have it removed I can donate it?? I'd be very interested to see how it all plays out
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Hmm... interesting source. Its not the first one though. Scientists have already begun the formation of stem cells by using skin cells (had a discussion on this). However, there are those that do not want the alternatives and want to push ahead with the existing stem cell methods.
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@alamode (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 08
In my B-I-L's treatment for Multiple Myeloma, they harvested his own stem cells from his bone marrow... it was experimental, but he's had over a year he wouldn't have had otherwise... he's relapsed now, and they can't do the same procedure again, but are using previously frozen cells of his own to do an 'antibody' treatment. I don't know all the details yet and its still unclear to me, but when my sis gets the time, I'll have her give me more detail.
1 person likes this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
25 Apr 08
As he said, he had nothing to lose, and maybe it will do a lot of good for others in the future. He doctors are on the cutting edge of the experimental treatments happening at the University of Washington, and a LOT of innovative medicine has come from there. We know we're losing him too soon, but he'll leave his mark on this world, thats for sure...
Thank you!