| Cord blood, also called placental blood, is the blood that | | | | within 15 years, actual liver transplants may be done |
| remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following | | | | using lab-grown livers made from cord blood. This is a |
| birth, after the umbilical cord is cut. Generally, this blood | | | | significant achievement that can potentially develop |
| is disposed of with the placenta and umbilical cord. | | | | treatments for liver diseases. |
| There is much controversy regarding the use of stem | | | | In a study published by the University of Minnesota, |
| cell research as it pertains to the use of embryos. | | | | researchers discovered that some umbilical cord blood |
| However, there have been new scientific | | | | cells possess similar characteristics to primitive stem |
| breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research using | | | | cells. According to Walter Low, Ph.D., senior |
| cord blood stem cells from living babies. | | | | investigator of the study and professor of |
| A team of South Korean researchers, headed by | | | | Neurosurgery and the Stem Cell Institute at the |
| Prof. Kang Kyung-sun of Seoul National University, has | | | | University of Minnesota, this major discovery is crucial |
| successfully grown pancreatic beta cells from umbilical | | | | to understanding how cord blood stem cells can |
| cord blood stem cells of newborn babies. The stem | | | | restore brain function after injury such as in stroke. In a |
| cells are able to secrete insulin, the hormone | | | | laboratory test, cord blood stem cells were |
| necessary for treatment of diabetes. The ability of | | | | transplanted into rodents with controlled strokes. The |
| cord blood stem cells to differentiate, or change into | | | | results: some limb function was restored and the size |
| other types of cells in the body is a new discovery | | | | of brain lesions was reduced. Cord blood stem cells |
| that holds great promise for improving the treatment | | | | developed into neuron-type cells, similar to those found |
| of some of the most common diseases including | | | | in the brain. They also stimulated nerve fibers in the |
| diabetes. This achievement would be highlighted by | | | | brain, thus the regained function in rats. This finding will |
| The Biochemical and Biophysical Research | | | | significantly help advance the development of stroke |
| Communications, the U.S.-based weekly, that | | | | research. |
| documents breakthrough papers in biotechnology. | | | | Stem cell technology has been advancing forward in |
| Similar breakthroughs have been achieved by | | | | leaps and bounds. The breakthroughs in cord blood |
| scientists throughout the world. Researchers at the | | | | stem cell research can substantially speed up the |
| University of Newcastle, in Dublin, produced a 'mini liver' | | | | development of treatments for life-threatening |
| from cord blood stem cells. The technique will be | | | | diseases and debilitating conditions. Cord blood stem |
| developed to create a full-sized, fully functioning liver. | | | | cell research avoids much of the controversy and |
| Tissues from mini-livers will be used to test new drugs. | | | | problems associated with embryonic stem cell |
| Researchers are hopeful that within five years, pieces | | | | research. |
| of the tissue can be used to repair damaged livers and | | | | |