CNN: Pluripotent stem cells in human fat

CNN: Pluripotent stem cells in human fat September 7, 2009

The article is here.

Apparently human fat, of which there are prodigious excess supplies thanks to the ever-popular liposuction treatment, contains stem cells that can be made pluripotent, meaning that they can develop into other types of tissue (heart, nerve, etc.) Stem cells found in skin have long been known to have this property, but it seems that the fat cells can potentially do so much more quickly. Of course, pluripotency has long been seen as the primary advantage of embryonic stem cells over adult stem cells, so hopefully this discovery will enable researchers to gain the same benefits without the destruction of human life. If that is the case, it would indeed be cause for great rejoicing.


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