Adult heart derived stem cells develop into heart muscle

April 24, 2008 | Source: KurzweilAI

University Medical Center Utrecht and Hubrecht Institute researchers have succeeded in taking stem cells from adult human hearts and growing them into large numbers of new heart muscle cells.

The stem cells were derived from material left over from open-heart operations, and grew into fully developed heart muscle cells that contract rhythmically, respond to electrical activity, and react to adrenaline.

The method results in identical cells that could be used in treatment, scientific research, and drug testing. For example, stem cells from the hearts of patients with genetic heart defects could be grown into heart muscle cells in the lab.

University Medical Center Utrecht News Release