Post by auntym on Jun 17, 2013 15:32:14 GMT -6
www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=liposuctioned-fat-reveals-valuable-13-06-14&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo
Scientists Discover Stem Cells In Fat
| Posted: 06/17/2013
Liposuctioned Fat Reveals Valuable Stem Cells
Stem cells in the fat of adults were discovered
serendipitously and appear to have similar potential to their embryonic
kin.
Stem cells are prized for their ability to give rise to a variety of
specialized cell types, including heart, liver, nerve and bone.
Unfortunately, it’s the stem cells from embryos that have shown the biggest potential, for generating both a range of tissues and a ton of controversy.
Now, researchers have discovered a new type of stem cell, present in
adults, that appears to have similar potential to its embryonic kin.
Best of all, it comes from a source a lot of us would be happy to give
away: body fat. That’s according to a study in the journal PLoS ONE. [Saleh Heneidi et al., Awakened
by Cellular Stress: Isolation and Characterization of a Novel
Population of Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Human Adipose Tissue]
These fat-based stem cells were discovered by accident. Researchers were
trying to grow cells from material collected by liposuction. But when a
piece of lab equipment failed, the cells in their sample died—except
for these unusually hearty stem cells.
They can apparently withstand all sorts of harsh conditions, like
nutrient or oxygen deprivation and attack by digestive enzymes. In fact,
stress may even activate these cells, which would make them excellent candidates for repairing diseased or damaged tissues.
More studies are needed to explore these cells’ potential. Which means researchers could be looking for a big fat donation.
—Karen Hopkin
LISTEN TO PODCAST: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=liposuctioned-fat-reveals-valuable-13-06-14&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPohttp://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=liposuctioned-fat-reveals-valuable-13-06-14&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo
Karen Hopkin reports
Scientists Discover Stem Cells In Fat
| Posted: 06/17/2013
Liposuctioned Fat Reveals Valuable Stem Cells
Stem cells in the fat of adults were discovered
serendipitously and appear to have similar potential to their embryonic
kin.
Stem cells are prized for their ability to give rise to a variety of
specialized cell types, including heart, liver, nerve and bone.
Unfortunately, it’s the stem cells from embryos that have shown the biggest potential, for generating both a range of tissues and a ton of controversy.
Now, researchers have discovered a new type of stem cell, present in
adults, that appears to have similar potential to its embryonic kin.
Best of all, it comes from a source a lot of us would be happy to give
away: body fat. That’s according to a study in the journal PLoS ONE. [Saleh Heneidi et al., Awakened
by Cellular Stress: Isolation and Characterization of a Novel
Population of Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Human Adipose Tissue]
These fat-based stem cells were discovered by accident. Researchers were
trying to grow cells from material collected by liposuction. But when a
piece of lab equipment failed, the cells in their sample died—except
for these unusually hearty stem cells.
They can apparently withstand all sorts of harsh conditions, like
nutrient or oxygen deprivation and attack by digestive enzymes. In fact,
stress may even activate these cells, which would make them excellent candidates for repairing diseased or damaged tissues.
More studies are needed to explore these cells’ potential. Which means researchers could be looking for a big fat donation.
—Karen Hopkin
LISTEN TO PODCAST: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=liposuctioned-fat-reveals-valuable-13-06-14&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPohttp://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=liposuctioned-fat-reveals-valuable-13-06-14&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo
Karen Hopkin reports