Stem cell breakthrough for screening new drugs

Published on Thursday 7 February 2008 09:23

DRUGS could be screened for potential harmful side-effects before they are trialled in patients, using pioneering stem cell research at Edinburgh University.

A team of scientists at the university has generated human liver cells from embryonic stem cells. The research focuses on enzymes in liver cells that play a key role in processing drugs.

Dr David Hay, a research fellow at the university, said: "While people have investigated the toxicity of drugs relating to the liver, we have generated a unique model that allows us to focus on key enzymes which are important in drug metabolism.

"This paves the way for testing drugs in a laboratory setting before trials in animals and humans." Scientists looked at a particular family of enzymes – known as p450 isozymes.

They play an essential role in many bodily functions, and in particular the removal of foreign compounds from the body.

"The use of embryonic stem cells holds great promise, as they provide us with the ability to create unlimited numbers of human cells such as those found in the liver," Dr Hay added.

"These cells could then be used in biomedical research, drug discovery and cellular therapy."

Along with testing drugs, it is hoped the cells could eventually be used in therapy for patients suffering from liver disease, where there is a scarcity of donated organs for transplant.

They could also help research into liver disease.