UK university involved in stem cell breakthrough

Scientists from the University of Manchester's Faculty of Life Sciences have genetically manipulated stem cells to influence the type of tissue they develop into.

The project is a joint effort with the University of Sheffield.

Dr Karen Cosgrove, the research team leader, said: "Less than one per cent of embryonic stem cells would normally become insulin-producing pancreatic cells, so the challenge has been to find a way of producing much greater quantities of these cells.

Less than one per cent of embryonic stem cells would normally become insulin-producing pancreatic cells

Dr Karen Cosgrove

Research Team Leader

University of Manchester

It is believed that the technique, in which a protein called PAX4 stimulates embryonic cells to develop into pancreatic cells, could lead to breakthrough treatments for diabetes and Dr Cosgrove noted that further research is ahead.

Dr Cosgrove revealed that by combining the new development with other existing techniques, her team hopes to consistently produce enough pancreatic cells to enable transplants.

The research, which was funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Medical Research Council, will also provide a supply of cells that scientists can use to study diabetes and test new treatments.

In the UK, some 2.3 million people have diabetes with up to a further 750,000 suffering from the condition and not being aware of it, according to Diabetes UK.