UK universities are making great advances in using stem cells to repair damaged bone and cartilage. The UK National Stem Cell Research Conference heard about some of these.
One programme, lead by Richard Oreffo at Southampton University, uses a patient’s own stem cells to repair damaged bone. The stem cells, derived from their bone marrow, is used to make a mixture which, when reintroduced, will fill gaps created by accidents or tumour removal.
Four patients have received this therapy so far, with positive results from early assessments.
Guiding Stem Cells with Magnetic Nanoparticles
Professor Alicia El Haj of Keele University is leading more futuristic research to develop a method to attach magnetized nanoparticles to stem cells. The magnetization then enables the stem cells to be moved around the body to precise locations – without an operation.
This makes some types of therapy much more effective than just injecting the stem cells. This therapy will have a huge range of applications – wherever tissue repair is needed in specific parts of the body.
This method has been proven on rodents and human trials will be started in due course.
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