Stem cell research breakthrough

Scientists at the University of Bristol have made a breakthrough in stem cell research by growing human cartilage from a patient's own stem cells.

Professor Anthony Hollander and his team at Southmead Hospital took just over a month to grow the cells.

Tests showed the laboratory-grown cartilage should be "springy" enough to work in joints like those in a knee.

This means people suffering from the bone disease osteoarthritis could in the future have cartilage transplants.

Technical breakthrough

The new technique used by Prof Hollander and his team is expected to overcome the problems of cartilage being rejected after transplants because the patient's own stem cells are used to create the cartilage.

By using stem cells found in adult bone marrow, ethical concerns about the use of human embryos in such research could be dispelled.

Prof Hollander described the experiment as a milestone but stressed it was not a cure for osteoarthritis.

"This is clearly a milestone, but at the moment it is simply a technical breakthrough.

"It shows the possibility of a new treatment, and I think it's a very real possibility, but it will be some years before we get it to patients."

The breakthrough will have no effect for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis.