Soon liver diseases could be treated using stem cell therapy, if scientists at Edinburgh University get their way.
London, May 7 : Soon liver diseases could be treated using stem cell therapy, if scientists at Edinburgh University get their way.
A team at Edinburgh University is working on developing embryonic stem cell therapies, which will remove the need for liver transplants each year.
"This would have a significant impact on reducing the need for donated organs," the Daily Record quoted Prof John Iredale, of the University's MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, as saying.
"It would also provide less invasive and traumatic treatment for those patients for whom transplantation is currently the only option," he added.
The researchers also hope to understand how embryonic stem cells could be used to repair damaged bone and cartilage, which would also significantly reduce the number of people needing hip replacements.
"Cartilage damage from injury or diseases, such as osteoarthritis, is a major problem in the UK," said a University spokesman.
"If we can prevent cartilage from breaking down or repair it, then we could reduce the need for hip replacements.
"Equally, there are patients in traumatic accidents where bones have been shattered. If we can find a way of healing the bone using stem cells we can dramatically improve their quality of life," the spokesman added.
ANI