Cart 0
Stem cells from bone marrow have been helping people with diseases like leukemia to rebuild a healthy blood system for half a century. But now Canadian researchers have determined that not all stem cells are created equal — and that might lead to better bone marrow transplants for more patients.
Scientists at Hamilton’s McMaster University have discovered that stem cells located in bone marrow at the ends of bones are superior at regenerating blood cells, including immune system cells, than those found in the shafts of bones.
“They all do the job, but they’re a little bit different,” said principal researcher Mick Bhatia, scientific director of the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute at McMaster.
“They have to regenerate the blood system, otherwise we can’t even consider them a stem cell,” said Bhatia, explaining that stem cells give rise to other cell types and are also capable of renewing themselves.
He likened these superior-performing stem cells, and their durability over time, to elite athletes.
[button size=’medium’ text=’Read More’ icon=” icon_size=” icon_color=” link=’http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/best-stem-cells-for-bone-marrow-transplant-at-bone-ends-study’ target=’_blank’ color=” background_color=’#78c145′ border_color=” font_style=’normal’ font_weight=’500′ text_align=’center’]