Exciting New Method Could Help Stem Cells Target Damaged Arteries, Says British Heart Foundation

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Heart Disease;  Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 18 Aug 2009 - 10:00 PDT

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A new method using nanomagnets which enables cells to be targeted to sites of injury in the body is published today by University College London researchers in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions. In response to the research part-funded by the charity, Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

"This encouraging research shows that nanomagnets could be used to help therapeutic stem cells reach specific areas of the body, particularly inside blood vessels where the blood is flowing fast and at high pressure.

"It is hoped that this strategy could be used to help these cells home-in to the sites of diseased tissue and improve the chances of repairing it. We await further research to find out if, as well as increasing the chances of these cells getting to where they are needed, this strategy can actually speed up the repair process".

Source
The British Heart Foundation

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