Embryo stem cells turned to blood.Even as the Senate began debating the topic of using stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young from human embryos, a research team reported that it had converted the cells into all the various types of blood cells blood cells, n.pl the formed elements of the blood, including red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). blood cells See erythrocyte and leukocyte. Platelets are classed separately. . This result takes a step toward using embryonic stem cells as a source of blood for transfusions or as an alternative to bone marrow transplants for cancer patients, suggests team leader James A. Thomson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison “University of Wisconsin” redirects here. For other uses, see University of Wisconsin (disambiguation). A public, land-grant institution, UW-Madison offers a wide spectrum of liberal arts studies, professional programs, and student activities. . Human embryonic stem cells have great medical promise in part because scientists expect to be able to transform them into every kind of cell or tissue in the body. Theoretically, this would provide an endless source of cells and organs for transplants. Thomson's group, which was the first to isolate human embryonic cells, has now found means to culture the stem cells so they develop into blood cell precursors and then into mature red and white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies and platelets. Scientists have done this previously with mouse embryonic stem cells, but the resulting blood cells haven't survived long when transplanted into mice. "It's a huge difficulty," notes Thomson. To see if a similar problem exists in primates, including people, his team plans to work with monkeys and their embryonic stem cells. The Wisconsin scientists reported the new findings in the Sept. 11 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, usually referred to as PNAS, is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences. . |
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