Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a technique to produce billions of stem cells — typically stem cell factories — at once for use in future. These stems can then be used for treating conditions related to the brain, heart and liver.

Chris Denning, a professor of stem cell biology at the University of Nottingham, said that if a person suffers a heart attack nearly 5 million cells die at a time. If these cells are to be replaced about 10 to 15 million stems cell would be needed because many cells wouldn't survive or they might not be able to develop into heart cells, noted the researcher. He also added that for about 70,000 heart attack patients in the UK trillions of stem cells should be developed and made available to the doctors, according to UPI.

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Morgan Alexander, a professor of biomedical surfaces at the University of Nottingham said in a press release that "The possibilities for regenerative medicine are still being researched in the form of clinical trials." He also added that "What we are doing here is paving the way for the manufacture of stem cells in large numbers when those therapies are proved to be safe and effective," reported Tech Times.

The researchers aimed at developing a substrate for growth and differentiation of human pluripotent stems cells into billions and billions of cells. The researchers as a result developed a man-made material that is free from contamination, ideal for growing stem cells with batch variability, according to PHYS.ORG.

Human pluripotent stem cells that are capable of developing into various cell types including bones, nerves and heart tissues can be preserved in two stages: adult as well as embryonic stage. Both varieties have a unique role to play in the field of regenerative medicine.

Denning said, "The field of regenerative medicine has snowballed in the last five years and over the coming five years a lot more patients will be receiving stem cell treatments." He also added that "Clinical trials are still in the very early stages. However, with this kind of product, if we can get it commercialized and validated by the regulators, it could be helping patients in two to three years." 

Tagsstem cells, Stem cell factories, heart attack, Regenerative medicine, Stem Cell Therapy