Sunday, December 11, 2011

Stem Cells Used to Produce Blood Platelets

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/10/stemcells-platelets-idINDEE7B907720111210

"Scientists have for the first time created blood platelet cells by reprogramming stem cells derived from adult cells, offering the potential for a renewable supply of the fragile blood component."

"In contrast to red blood cells and plasma ... there is always a shortage of platelets," said Dr. Charles Abrams, ASH secretary and associate chief of hematology/oncology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "Other components can be banked or frozen for long periods of time ... Platelets go bad after a couple of days."

"In addition, he explained, some people are very sensitive to the type of platelets they receive, so having a one-size-fits all platelet source would be a major accomplishment."


This is very promising news for the medical community. We all know that there seems to always been a shortage of denotable blood and certain components have been in even greater demand. The potential to create a renewable supply could be a blockbuster. I think of how our sun is an infinite source of renewable solar power, think of the possibility of having stem cells giving us a similar source, on top of as the article points out a "one size fits all source." Could this type of technology put an end to blood shortages around the globe in the future? We can't say yet but the leaps and bounds that have been made just in the last decade using adult stem cells make me believe that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE in the future. Very great stuff!!!

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