Stem Cells Help "Grow" Heart Muscle

[Yanksfan396]

Very cool story. Further illustrates our need for embryonic stem cell research.

WASHINGTON - U.S. scientists have grown a piece of heart muscle — and then watched it beat — by using stem cells from a mouse embryo, a big step toward one day repairing damage from heart attacks.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33331506...-heart_health/

[WilyWestbrook0]

Awesome. I am hopeful that someday they can help me regrow my pancreatic islets of Langerhans cells so I can produce insulin again. Even if it's 20 years down the road or so, it would be great to rid the world of type 1 diabetes. It's a rare disease, but it's very costly.

[Yanksfan396]

Awesome. I am hopeful that someday they can help me regrow my pancreatic islets of Langerhans cells so I can produce insulin again. Even if it's 20 years down the road or so, it would be great to rid the world of type 1 diabetes. It's a rare disease, but it's very costly.

I don't think type 1 diabetes get's enough attention. I worked closely with someone who has it, and it really ruins your life. Hang in there, Khendra. I'm sure they're working on it!

[WilyWestbrook0]

Thanks. Diabetes in any form is hard, but for those unfamiliar, the type 2 folks can still produce some insulin. The type 1 diabetics don't have this luxury, so no amount of diet and exercise can eradicate our condition. It is permanent, and if it weren't for injections (pills are useless to us since they are designed for pancreases still producing insulin), we all would die within a few weeks max.

[dfr52]

Great news.