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We Have The Technology: Functioning Muscle Cells Made in Lab

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They are also self-healing(more later)!  The mouse muscle fiber grew from progenitor satellite cells which exist in mature living muscle.  The trick, according to the Duke researchers, required finding “the perfect environment for muscle growth” for the satellite cells.  Specifically they needed “well-developed contractile muscle fibers” included in the mix with the immature cells.  Once the cells grew into mature fibers themselves, they were grafted into mice where the new muscle adapted function and strength.  As for self-healing, an ex vivo study in which new-grown fibers were damaged by toxin, they recovered contractile function after being re-exposed to the milieu of immature cells.

(Fluorescently stained muscle fiber. Image credit: Duke University)

While translation to human therapies is still in the future, the first steps have been made.  Read more at the article on BBC.  (All quotes in this entry are from the BBC article)

Kristen E. Strubberg is the Editor-in-Chief for TGNR. Kristen founded TGNR in 2013 - seeking to create a high quality platform for original, eclectic and substantive positive news journalism by attracting expert contributors in many varying subjects. Kristen also works as a clinical medical researcher in Cardiology, with an original background in Neuroscience. Her passion for science has translated to her science-fiction specialization, with her highly adept published insights into the best of sci-fi’s popular culture. Kristen has served as TGNR’s Editor-in-Chief since 2013.

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