The Stem Cells Were No Where To Be Found: Surprising Discovery!

I am offering a little “what if” on this Tuesday morning. We have all heard and read over and over again what stem cells could do for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal injury patients and diabetics. But what if our speculated outcome wasn’t exactly correct?

As you have read previously, I am a stem cell research supporter. In the right capacity, I believe there is much good and many answers that lie among these little cells.

What was thought among diabetes researchers, was that adult stem cells would develop into insulin producing cells, beta cells, in the pancreas. Well guess what? These same researchers discovered, much to their surprise, that the adult stem cells were no where to be found.

Instead, the beta cells themselves divide, although slowly, to replenish their own population. This surprising findings points to a shift in the quest for novel diabetes treatments.

There are no immediate implications for diabetes treatment, but does lay some groundwork for therapies in the future. It enhances our already vast knowledge of insulin production.

What do you think about all these research findings? Do you think the answer lies in these ever so popular stem cells or is it embedded somewhere in our body that we haven’t yet discovered? All I know is it makes me very excited for the future.

via Science Daily