Scientists create kidneys from amniotic fluid stem cells

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Boston, MA, April 18, 2011 — Amniotic fluid stem cells are making international headlines as an April 13 article in Britain’s leading newspaper The Daily Telegraph, reports an exciting scientific breakthrough at the University of Edinburgh. Scientists there report growing a tiny kidney – created in a laboratory using human amniotic fluid and animal fetal cells. According to the article, this kidney may be able to grow into a full-size organ that might be transplanted into a human. What this means, the article states, is that within ten years patients may no longer have to wait for a risky and expensive organ transplant or live on a dialysis machine but instead receive their own replacement organs.

Physiologist Jamie Davies, a professor of experimental anatomy at Edinburgh University, said in the article: ”It sounds a bit science fiction-like but it’s not. ‘The idea is to start with human stem cells and end up with a functioning organ.”

”We have made pretty good progress with that. We can make something that has the complexity of a normal, fetal kidney.”

Professor Davies said the technology could be ready for use on humans in around 10 years. He added: ”Freezing a few cells is cost-effective compared with the cost of keeping someone on dialysis for years.

The breakthrough will be officially unveiled at Edinburgh’s Science Festival this month.

The Daily Telegraph story underscores the importance of companies like Biocell Center, the leader in amniotic fluid preservation. “Amniotic stem cells represent an important hope for the future of stem cell therapy,” noted Professor Giuseppe Simoni, Biocell Center’ Scientific Director and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Milan in a recent interview. “Biocell Center has been studying cells from amniotic fluid for years and is the leading international company offering the service of amniotic fluid stem cell cryopreservation to women during their pregnancy.”

Other press releases from GCI Health

• Successful Transplant of Trachea Grown From Patient’s Own Cells - July 13th, 2011
• Grant Will Study Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells’ Potential to Treat Alport Syndrome - June 14th, 2011
• Biocell Center Attends American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Annual Convention - April 16th, 2011
• Boston Children’s Hospitals’ Dr. Dario Fauza Addresses Congress of Perinatal Medicine in Italy - April 13th, 2011
• Study Confirms Third Trimester Amniotic Fluid As Reliable Stem Cell Source for Use in Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Banking - February 16th, 2011