'New way' to repair heart damage (BBC) {alternative to stem cells?}

[eppur_se_muova]

Scientists say they have found a new way to mend damage to the heart.

When cells turn into fully-formed adult heart muscle they stop dividing, and cannot replace tissue damaged by disease or deformity.

But a US team have found a way to coax the cells to start dividing again, raising hopes they could be used to regenerate healthy tissue.

The study, carried out on mice and rats by Children's Hospital Boston, appears in the journal Cell.

The researchers say their work could provide an alternative to stem cell therapy, which is still largely untested, and carries a potential risk of side effects.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8162838.stm

[Glory89fan]

1. Interesting

With stem cell research still being controversial in this country, this might be a good alternative.