Stem cells may reduce transplants

The research is one of two projects at Edinburgh University

Scientists have been looking at ways liver disease could be treated using embryonic stem cells, reducing the need for transplantation.

The research is one of two projects at Edinburgh University receiving £3.6m from Scottish Enterprise and the Medical Research Council (MRC).

The second project, which also involves embryonic stem cells, will look at new ways to repair damaged bone.

Liver disease is the fifth most common cause of death in the UK.

We could potentially reduce the need for hip replacements Dr Brendon Noble Edinburgh University

Professor John Iredale, of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: "In the first instance, the successful development of liver cells from embryonic stem cells will revolutionise and improve the way we are able to test drugs and novel therapies both for the liver and other organs and ultimately may lead to a stem-cell based approach to regenerate the liver.

"This would have a significant impact on reducing the need for donated organs and provide less invasive and traumatic treatment for those patients for whom transplantation is currently the only option."

Scientists will research how liver cells derived from embryonic stem cells can be used in therapies for acute and chronic liver disease.

The research will gain greater understanding as to how embryonic stem cells differentiate to become liver cells, and how these can be made to repair damaged livers.

Major problem

The second project, which receives £1.7m of the funding, will look at improving the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cells that have the potential to make bone and cartilage.

Dr Brendon Noble, of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, said: "Cartilage damage from injury or diseases, such as osteoarthritis, is a major problem in the UK.

"If we can prevent cartilage from breaking down, or repair it, then we could potentially reduce the need for hip replacements.

"Equally, there are patients who have been involved in traumatic accidents where their bones have been shattered.

"If we can find a way of healing the bone using stem cells then we can dramatically improve the quality of life for these patients."