May 20, 2004

Britain's stem-cell store opens

Cell bank will serve researchers worldwide.

by Helen R. Pilcher
Nature News

RELATED SITES UK Stem Cell Bank Medical Research Council BBSRC Centre For Life Print this article Register for updates when new articles are posted Discuss this article

The world's first stem cell bank has opened its doors. The UK centre, which will grow and store stem cells for use in medical research, receives its first deposits today. But although the service will undoubtedly be a boon to scientists, it has already attracted criticism from pro-life activists as it will include cell lines derived from early human embryos.

Stem cells are the fundamental building blocks of the body. They have the potential to become many different types of cell, raising hopes that they could help to repair diseased and damaged tissue.

The first two stem-cell lines to be banked are from King's College London and the Centre for Life, a research facility in Newcastle upon Tyne. Researchers from around the world will be able to withdraw and study samples.

"Stem-cell research offers real promise for the treatment of currently incurable diseases," says Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, which has co-funded the project with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. "The bank will ensure that researchers can explore the enormous potential of this exciting science for the future benefit of patients," says Blakemore.

Scientists hope that stem cells will yield new therapies for a range of conditions, including diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. But much work is needed to understand the signals that guide the metamorphosis of the cells.

The bank's two stem-cell lines were derived from early human embryos, from tissue donated by patients undergoing fertility treatments. Cell and animal studies have shown that the cells can turn into brain, heart, muscle and skin. But there is a long way to go before this can be done reliably, and techniques can be transferred to the clinic.

The stem-cell bank is hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control in Hertfordshire. The cells can reproduce indefinitely in culture, so researchers will be able to grow billions of cells for storage and research.

The centre is also unique as it plans to store the full gamut of stem-cell lines: embryonic, fetal and adult. Stem cells can be found in the body throughout life, and the different types are thought to have varying degrees of versatility. So researchers plan to study them all, in the hope of developing a range of related therapies.

Article Copyright © 2004 MacMillan Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.