A study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, by Ms Victoria Mascetti and Professor Roger Pedersen (Department of Surgery) has shown that it is possible to transplant human pluripotent stem cells into the mouse embryo and that they then develop and grow normally.

Human pluripotent stem cells, which can give rise to all tissues of the body, are seen as having promising therapeutic uses in regenerative medicine. They could be used to treat devastating conditions that affect various organs and tissues, particularly those that have

Human pluripotent stem cells, which can give rise to all tissues of the body, are seen as having promising therapeutic uses in regenerative medicine. They could be used to treat devastating conditions that affect various organs and tissues, particularly those that have poor regenerative capacity, such as the heart, brain and pancreas.

Previously, concerns had been raised that pluripotent cells may not incorporate properly into the body and hence not proliferate or distribute themselves as intended, resulting in tumours. However, this research provides evidence for normal incorporation and growth.

Ms Mascetti says; “Our finding that human stem cells integrate into the mouse embryo not only validates human stem cell pluripotency, but will also allow us to study aspects of early human development during a window of time that would otherwise be inaccessible.”