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02/04/2007
Heart valve grown from stem cells in lab
British scientists have reportedly grown part of a human heart from stem cells for the first time.
Speaking to the 'Guardian' newspaper, heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub said that his team at Imperial College in London, had grown tissue which worked in the same way as human heart valves.
He said that the discovery could mean that it might be possible to grow a whole human heart from stem cells within ten years, while replacement tissue could possibly be used in transplants within three years.
Stem cells can replicate any other kinds of cell in the body and scientists have already grown tendons, cartilages and bladders from them, but these are not as complex as organs.
If a person received an organ grown from tissue that was genetically matched to them, there would also be no chance of rejection.
Professor Yacoub told the 'Guardian': "You can see the common pathway of death and suffering is heart failure. Reversing heart failure could have a major impact."
Professor Yacoub said that the task of growing a whole human heart was "an ambitious project, but not impossible". He said: "If you want me to guess, I'd say ten years", but added: "I wouldn't be surprised if it was some day sooner than we think."
A team including physicists, engineers, pharmacologists, cellular scientists and clinicians has been working on the project for ten years.
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking to the 'Guardian' newspaper, heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub said that his team at Imperial College in London, had grown tissue which worked in the same way as human heart valves.
He said that the discovery could mean that it might be possible to grow a whole human heart from stem cells within ten years, while replacement tissue could possibly be used in transplants within three years.
Stem cells can replicate any other kinds of cell in the body and scientists have already grown tendons, cartilages and bladders from them, but these are not as complex as organs.
If a person received an organ grown from tissue that was genetically matched to them, there would also be no chance of rejection.
Professor Yacoub told the 'Guardian': "You can see the common pathway of death and suffering is heart failure. Reversing heart failure could have a major impact."
Professor Yacoub said that the task of growing a whole human heart was "an ambitious project, but not impossible". He said: "If you want me to guess, I'd say ten years", but added: "I wouldn't be surprised if it was some day sooner than we think."
A team including physicists, engineers, pharmacologists, cellular scientists and clinicians has been working on the project for ten years.
(KMcA/SP)
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