Researchers work on cells to replace broken parts

You may have heard about stem cells and research on using them to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged cells, tissues, or organs.

A few days ago the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported the latest progress, especially intriguing to those of us with worn-out joints not to mention brains. New brains: anyone interested?

But seriously, this is about the possibility of personalized medicine tailored to your individual needs. So heres the update:

First, a definition: Stem cells are basic mother cells that can develop into every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. A large team of FDA scientists is studying how adult not embryonic stem cells could repair, replace, restore, or regenerate cells damaged by injury, illness, or normal wear, including those needed for heart and bone repair.

Its not science fiction, Steven Bauer, chief of the FDAs cellular and tissue therapy branch, said. Mature cells can differentiate mature into several cell types, such as bone, fat, cartilage, and nerve cells, he said. Those cells have been used for repairing hearts, bone, and cartilage.

But growing stem cells and ensuring theyre safe and effective is tough, Bauer said, which is why clinical trials have not yet resulted in a marketed product.

Taking stem cells out of the body, growing large numbers of them, or isolating them can change their biology, he said. It can change the way they behave if theyre put back into the patient.

They may become ineffective or develop harmful characteristics, produce tumors, cause severe immune reactions, or grow unwanted tissue. So the FDA is now exploring methods that predict with certainty how manufactured or isolated adult stem cells will behave in patients.

In the labs, cells are suspended in a nutrient liquid solution and grown in sterile containers. They then multiply and go through three, five, or seven generations. The scientists are using cutting-edge methods to characterize cells and determine if any characteristics can predict the cells later behavior in test sites, including animals.

The next step: Find measured characteristics that predict the safety or effectiveness of stem-cell-based products in patients. Scientists are studying how different growing methods and donor age and gender affect the cells quality and performance.

Continue reading here:
Researchers work on cells to replace broken parts