University of Rochester scientist Michael King and team have developed an implantable device that captures very pure samples of stem cells circulating in the blood.

The device, a plastic microtube coated with proteins called selectins, could lead to better bone-marrow transplants and stem-cell therapies, and may also be a way to capture and reprogram cancer cells roaming the bloodstream.

CellTraffix, which is commercializing the technology, is developing a kit that will enable researchers to capture large numbers of stem and cancer cells in the lab, and hopes to begin clinical testing of the anticancer coatings by early 2010.