Production of human embryonic stem cells in large numbers
Συγγραφέας iator Γράφτηκε στις ,
Press Release
A new technology developed at Hadassah University Medical Center has made it possible to produce large amounts of human embryonic stem cells. Until now, hESCs –which have the potential of ripening into any other type of body cells for repair of tissues and organs– have been created in small numbers and could not be exploited in cases of transplantations and others. This breakthrough may be the key to developing systems to manufacture the enormous quantities of stem cells required to treat millions of patients.
Called a “breakthrough” in hESC technology, the findings of the research were just published in the prestigious science journal Nature Biotechnology. The article, titled “Derivation, propagation and controlled differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in suspension,” was written by Dr. Debora Steiner as part of her post-doctoral work under the direction of Prof. Benjamin Reubinoff, both of Hadassah’s Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center, with participation by other Hadassah colleagues.
The researchers developed unique conditions that made it possible for the cells to multiply significantly in suspension without differentiating into specific cell types. By changing the conditions of the culture, the scientists showed that they could control the ripening of hESC clusters in suspension into neural spheres. Thus, the stem cells were cultivated in large vats with precise, computerized monitoring of growth conditions.
It is worthy to note that embryonic stem cells can mature into any type of cell in the body, posing the possibility of an endless source of cells that could be implanted in patients suffering from degenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, Age-Related Macular Degeneration and others.
Hadassah University Medical Center is represented in Cyprus by the organization iMER Medical Services (www.imer.biz).
