Baby teeth may help cure brain diseases

Home>>Sci-Edu

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 05, 2004

Baby teeth may help cure brain diseases

Baby teeth may be helpful in curing heart and brain diseases, Australian scientists have found.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Baby teeth may be helpful in curing heart and brain diseases, Australian scientists have found.

This is because baby teeth are a good source of stem cells, said researchers at Adelaide's Hanson Institute, which is attachedto the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Stem cells can be developed into any type of specialized cell in the body, opening up potential uses in repairing damaged organs.

The Australian Associated Press on Sunday quoted the institute's Director Howard Morris as saying that teeth have advantages overother sources of stem cells as they can be obtained easily and without controversy.

"It's thought that the best stem cells come from embryos and that of course has all the ethical issues about harvesting stem cells," Morris said.

Stem cells in adult tissues can be difficult to get or present in very small amounts. Yet, he pointed out, pulp in teeth is quitea good source of stem cells and they are very amenable to getting hold of.

But he said the technology to use stem cells in repairing organs is still many years away from being trilled on humans.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

Regulatory support needed for brain donation

China's first brain bank makes Changsha its home

Israel's killing of Yassin fuels conflict: Commentary ( 2 Messages)

How the US could improve its image abroad ( 14 Messages)

US urged not to fingerprint Chinese ( 10 Messages)

China hunts corrupt officials who abscond overseas ( 3 Messages)

Seven Chinese activists land on Diaoyu Islands ( 4 Messages)