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Green Stems
02 August 2013

Green Stems

This sphere of stem cells (marked red with blue centres) holds great potential for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Until recently any damage to the heart following a heart attack or lack of oxygen was considered irreparable. But scientists have discovered that, tucked away in the heart itself are stem cells like these that could be reprogrammed to become new heart cells. These rat heart stem cells are growing in a lab culture dish, where they cluster into a cardiosphere. Cells around the sphere’s perimeter are producing a protein called CD90 (labelled green) and spreading across the dish. Using soluble growth factors, scientists can influence them to turn into mature heart cells. But although stem cells might in future have the power to transform the way we treat disease, researchers sound a note of caution. Many questions need answering before such therapies reach the clinic.

Written by Caroline Cross

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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