





Video featuring Thea Tlsty, explaining the biology of cancer



For now, ePSCs have only been extracted from adult breast tissue, both male and female, while the findings indicate that they may exist in other tissues as well. Preclinical studies show that unlike other adult stem cells (e.g. mesenchymal stem cells) they are pluripotent in nature and this is why the UCF researchers consider them to be "an earthquake" in stem cell research.



The scientists say that EPS research is still on its very first steps, adding that much research is needed. Nevertheless, Tilsty is already on the way to receive funding to examine whether ePSCs can be used to develop insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. The researchers believe that ePSCs may have potential applications in the treatment of the following conditions:

Conditions associated with neurodegeneration (e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s)

Diabetes

Heart Failure

Macular degeneration

Wound Healing



References

Somdutta Roya, Philippe Gascarda, Nancy Dumonta, Jianxin Zhaoa, Deng Pana, Sarah Petriea, Marta Margeta, & Thea D. Tlstya (2013). Rare somatic cells from human breast tissue exhibit extensive lineage plasticity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences For now, ePSCs have only been extracted from adult breast tissue, both male and female, while the findings indicate that they may exist in other tissues as well. Preclinical studies show that unlike other(e.g. mesenchymal stem cells) they are pluripotent in nature and this is why the UCF researchers consider them to be "an earthquake" in stem cell research.The scientists say that EPS research is still on its very first steps, adding that much research is needed. Nevertheless, Tilsty is already on the way to receive funding to examine whether ePSCs can be used to develop insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. The researchers believe that ePSCs may have potential applications in the treatment of the following conditions:

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), led by Somdutta Roy, have discovered a new type of stem cell called "" (ePSC). Similarly to embryonic stem cells, ePSCs are pluripotent and have the capacity to transform into many different types of specialised cells like the ones comprising brain, heart, skin and pancreatic tissue. The researchers consider their findings to be a major breakthrough in stem cell research.Thea Tlsty, pathology professor at UCSF says that ePSCs are stable and mortal, which means that they have a lower risk to transform into tumorigenic (tumor-forming) cells compared to the more unstable embryonic stem cells (ESCs)