Scientists continue to use life-affirming adult stem cells in amazing ways

Scientists continue to have successes researching ways to create organs and body structures using adult stem cells. In this case, the researchers are trying to grow ears, noses and blood vessels using polymers and stem cells from fat.

Last year, he and his team made a nose for a British man who lost his to cancer. Scientists added a salt and sugar solution to the mold of the nose to mimic the somewhat sponge-like texture of the real thing. Stem cells were taken from the patient’s fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used to cover the nose scaffold. Later, the nose was implanted into the man’s forearm so that skin would grow to cover it.

Seifalian said he and his team are waiting for approval from regulatory authorities to transfer the nose onto the patient’s face but couldn’t say when that might happen.

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