Report On Non-Embryonic Stem Cells

Story at the Pirate's Cove.

Ordinary cells reprogrammed to act like embryonic stem cells can help repair damaged heart tissue in mice, researchers reported on Monday in a study that shows a potential practical use for the experimental cells.

Comments

[mark l.]

hopeful about organ repair and immune system applications.

great amount of skepticism on spinal repair.
(the structure of the nervous system is very similar to an almagamation of insulated wire. getting a stem cell to grow into a nerve might be easy enough, but the nerve cell requires an insulating cell(schwann cell) to help insulate and regulate electrical current along the nerve cell.)

I sincerely doubt that a technique on getting two different cells to form in coordination with each other will be found anytime soon, unless the patient is willing to accept a risk of having tumors instead, although they will probably be benign. I know, mice in labs...yadda yadda...

good probability of tranplanting for spinal damage, but your donor is going to have to be a fetus, with the structure and design already assured(at least 4 months old).