Posted on 12/17/2006 10:03:09 PM PST by Coleus
And, similar to other types of adult stem cells, the epidermal neural crest stem cells can be harvested through a minimally invasive procedure. This means that it may be possible to use a patient's own hair as source for stem cell therapy. The researchers tested the epidermal neural crest stem cells in mice and achieved promising results.
"We grafted the cells into mice that have spinal cord injuries and were encouraged by the results. The cells survived and integrated into the spinal cord, remaining at the site of transplantation and not forming tumors," lead researcher Maya Sieber-Blum, a professor of cell biology, neurobiology and anatomy, said in a prepared statement.
The findings were published in a recent issue of the journal Stem Cells: The International Journal of Cell Differentiation and Proliferation.
These types of cells may prove useful in treating a number of conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke. "We see the potential for cell-replacement therapy in which patients can be their own donors, which would avoid ethical issues [associated with embryonic stem cells] and reduce the possibility of tissue incompatibility," Sieber-Blum said.
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about stem cells.
yep. Say, you do a heart repair with them, and the repaired heart grows HAIRY!
may provide an alternative to embryonic stem cells >>
when are they ever going to learn that embryonic stem cells haven't worked in 25 yrs. of research in animals and 8 yrs. in humans. There is no alternative, adult cells have always worked and have treated 72 diseases and medical conditions in humans. http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm
yeah, but can it be made to re-grow hair again? :)
don't bet on it :)
The push for embryonic cells is to validate abortion.
If human hair does indeed prove to be the key to abundant supplies of stem cells, my shower drain is going to be a gold mine...
From all I've heard, stem cell hair transplants are just a matter of time...and short time, at that.
Lots of money to be made there, no doubt.
More money to be made in a "cure" that only works as long as you keep taking something every day. Rogaine was awesome in that regard. Even better, it really only works if you take if before you go bald, so better take it while you have a full head of hair, just in case! Brilliant marketing!
True, true!
But the proprietary rights for minoxidil are loooong gone, and generic is waaay cheaper than Rogaine.
In the end, somebody is going to jump onto this cure. And going to make money off of it... )
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.