Scientists create stem cell ‘Holy Grail’

HIGH quality stem cells, unmatched anywhere in the world, have been produced by British scientists in an achievement described as the “Holy Grail of regenerative medicine”.

The clinical-grade embryonic stem cells (ESCs) could be used in pioneering patient trials of cell-based therapies.

Unlike ESCs used in earlier trials, they never started out as “research grade” cells suitable only for laboratory experiments before being reclassified.

Crucially, the two lines of cells produced at King’s College London are also “xeno-free”. That means they are free from any contamination by animal-derived products often used as stem cell growth mediums.

The scientists announced yesterday that the cells, which originated from surplus IVF embryos, had been delivered to the UK Stem Cell Bank.

The bank, a publicly-funded body, will carry out further stringent tests before the cells are given their final seal of approval.

It is hoped the groundbreaking batch will provide the “seedstock” for clinical trials within the next three years.

Professor Peter Braude, a leading member of the King’s College team, said it had taken 10 years of painstaking research to develop such high-quality ESCs for clinical trials.

“That’s really been the Holy Grail for everybody in regenerative medicine,” he said.

Human embryonic stem cells are “pluripotent”, having the potential to become any kind of body tissue under the right conditions.