Stem Cell Researcher Makes Paralyzed Rats Walk
Hans Keirstead, a prominent neurobiologist at the University of California-Irvine, is making waves in the stem cell pool with his latest research. Keirstead has been able to make paralyzed rats walk by injecting them with stem cells. Keirstead and his team have altered human embryonic stem cells to make them into specialized cells that aid in sending brain signals along the spinal cord. After injecting the paralyzed rats with the embryonic stem cells, the rats spinal cord began to heal allowing them to walk again. Keirstead's study has been ongoing for more than two years in order to make sure there are no side effects from the stem cell injections. Because of the promising results, an outline for a human study is being prepared. The research team hops to be able to use the technology on humans by 2006.
Source: Paul Elias, Chicago Sun-Times
