Published on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
By SEAN NEALON
A new technique for growing human embryonic stem cells developed by a UC Riverside professor could bring researchers closer to using the cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.
Scientists are growing stem cells with hope of turning them into other types of cells that can replace damaged cells in the body. Stem cells are usually grown using animal-based products. However, those products can transmit viruses to the stem cells, making them unsuitable for treating patients.
Dr. Noburo Sato, a researcher at UCR's Stem Cell Center, found a way to grow human embryonic stem cells with a chemically synthesized material, instead of animal-based materials. His findings will be published today in the online journal PLoS ONE.
Prue Talbot, the center's director, called Sato's discovery a breakthrough.
"This is just really an important area now: to get better methods of cultivating," said Talbot, also a cell biology professor
Read Full Article...
Comment/Review this Podcast:
Give us your feedback
Press-Enterprise is interested in hearing what you think about our Podcasts.
You can give us your feedback by filling out our Audience Survey.
