LONDON – British scientists have developed a new stem cell technique for growing working liver cells which could eventually avoid the need for costly and risky liver transplants.
A team of researchers led by the Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge used cutting-edge methods to correct a genetic mutation in stem cells derived from a patient’s skin biopsy, and then grew them into fresh liver cells.
“We have developed new systems to target genes and . . . correct . . . defects in patient cells,” said Allan Bradley, director of the Sanger Institute. – (Reuters)