A big topic in the news this week: Japan has approved trial stem cell therapy/ treatments for humans with spinal cord injuries. The cells are "induced pluripotents" stem (iPS) cells. A Nature.com article explains that "IPS cells are created by inducing cells from body tissue to revert to an embryonic-like state, from which they can develop into other cell types" (David Cyranoski, "'Reprogrammed' stem cells to treat spinal-cord injuries for the first time"). This means that your own cells are used in the procedure. Researchers from Keio University will conduct the trial with four people who have recent spinal cord injuries.
This is the first clinical trial of its kind for spinal cord injuries (not for iPS cells). One worth watching!
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