Patient-Specific Stem Cell Lines Sought

U.S. scientists have launched a project to develop stem cell lines that genetically match human patients.

University of California-Irvine neurobiologist Hans Keirstead and his team are using a nuclear transfer technique to pursue the goal that will allow scientists to better study conditions ranging from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease and provide the basis for potential patient-specific stem cell treatments.

Keirstead uses a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer in which a patient’s DNA is transplanted into a donated unfertilized egg cell in order to generate stem cell lines with the same genetic makeup of the patient. The researchers said such lines have tremendous therapy potential because the human immune system is less likely to attack genetically identical cells.

This technique holds tremendous promise to advance our knowledge of stem cells and their potential to cure disease, said Keirstead, co-director of the university’s Gross Stem Cell Research Center. I am excited to embark on this line of research and look forward to the day when patient-specific stem cells are utilized to treat people suffering from debilitating injuries and health conditions.