Scientists at John Hopkins University in Maryland have reported that they have engineered a type of human cell that is capable of developing into any body tissue type. The researchers cultured a colony of embryoid body derived cells (EBDs) and by exposing them to various chemicals, managed to mature them into a wide variety of cell types, including nerve, blood, and muscle cells. The team also found that the EBDs willingly accept inserted genes, an important quality for stem cells destined for service as transplants. Furthermore, the cells produced were healthy cells of all sorts capable of dividing repeatedly without accumulating gene errors that trigger tumors, an inherent problem of human pluripotent stem cells.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.yahoo.com on the 29th December 2000
