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Physical Society Colloquium
Freda Miller McGill Neurological Institute Stem cells hold tremendous promise for the treatment of many devastating disorders. However, the use of embryonic stem cells faces significant ethical issues, and many adult stem cells, such as those derived from the brain, are difficult to access. This presentation will focus upon our search for an accessible source of adult mammalian stem cells. In this regard, we have recently isolated and characterized stem cells from juvenile and adult rodent skin. These cells derive from the dermal layer, can be expanded significantly in culture, and individual cells will proliferate and differentiate in culture to produce neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells, and adipocytes. Similar precursors that express neuron-specific proteins upon differentiation can be isolated from adult human scalp. Since these cells (termed SKPs for SKin-derived Precursors) generate both neural and mesodermal progeny, we propose that they represent a novel multipotent adult stem cell and suggest that skin may provide an accessible, autologous source of stem cells for transplantation.
Friday, November 30th 2001, 15:30 |