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Article: Study Finds Blood Cells Can Be Reprogrammed to Act as Embryonic Stem Cells.
- Article from:
- Blood Weekly
- Article date:
- May 7, 2009
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In a recent study, U.S. researchers have reprogrammed cells found in circulating blood into cells that are molecularly and functionally indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells, a revolutionary achievement that provides a readily accessible source of stem cells and an alternative to harvesting embryonic stem cells. The findings were prepublished online in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology (see also Stem Cell Research).
Embryonic stem cells have long been coveted for their potential to treat a multitude of diseases as a result of their unique properties of nearly indefinite self-renewal and pluripotency (the ability to develop ...