Hamilton (ECN) - A new discovery in the world of stem cell research was discovered recently in Boston. Scientists found a way to make stem cells from liposuction leftovers. Liposuction involves making a small incision into the part of the body targeted and draining the excess fat. Immature fat cells found in this material are easy to transform into cells called pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).
In 2007, a team discovered a way to "grow" stem cells from skin cells but this discovery is even better. Researchers at Stanford's University School of Medicine in California reported at the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that these cells are easier to work with than skin cells, which up until now have been used to "grow" stem cells.
Stem cells are the body's master cells, they can morph into any cell type. IPS cells are very much the same and researchers are trying to make "stock" of these cells to use in research and hopefully in disease treatment.
The cells transformed from skin cells (which are the only way ii has been done previously) must be grown in the lab for about three weeks. The cells from the fat material are ready to go right away. This in a way is medicines version of hitting the lottery.
Scientists say it is too soon to use the excess fat cells to cure disease but eventually it should allow people to grow their own replacement parts for sick organs.
