A new review looks at the potential of fetal membranes, which make up the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus during pregnancy, for regenerative medicine.
A new review looks at the potential of fetal membranes, which make up the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus during pregnancy, for regenerative medicine.
Fetal membranes have been used as biological bandages for skin grafts as well as for serious burns. They may also have numerous other applications because they contain a variety of stem cells, which might be used to treat cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes, and other medical conditions.
“The fetal membranes have been used successfully in medical applications for over a century, but we continue to discover new properties of these membranes,” said Dr. Rebecca Lim, author of the STEM CELLS Translational Medicine review. “The stem cell populations arising from the fetal membranes are plentiful and diverse, while the membrane itself serves as a unique biocompatible scaffold for bioengineering applications.”
Additional Information
Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sctm.16-0447/full
About Journal
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine works to advance the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and helping speed translations of emerging lab discoveries into clinical trials, STEM CELLS Translational Medicine will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Penny Smith
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sciencenewsroom@wiley.com