A 'stem cell factory', providing reliable supplies of stem cells for use in medical research, is to be built in Scotland, it has been announced.
The £2 million development, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will provide facilities for the growth of significant numbers of stem cells which, those involved hope, will help speed up the pace of stem cell research.
As cells that are capable of growing into any type of human tissue, stem cells are believed to have significant potential in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses and conditions, as damaged tissue could be replaced by tissue grown from stem cells.
In the case of severe spinal injuries, for example, experts say that stem cells could allow the spinal nerve cells to be regrown, potentially providing a cure for paralysis.
The factory will be funded and set up by Edinburgh University, the Roslin Institute and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.
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