It was possible to transplant stem cells from one person to another

Stem cell technology has just taken a new step when Japanese doctors have "reprogrammed" a donor's stem cells for transplant to another patient.

According to Engadget, a Japanese man with aging retinal degeneration has been cured by having a donor stem cell transplant . A special feature is that the doctors have turned donor skin cells into induced multi-potential stem cells (iPS cells, made from mature cells). Simply understood, potential multi-cell stem cells are the type of cells that can be programmed to become any type of cell on the human body.

Japan is planning to make stem cell donation more popular.

In the above case, the original skin cells were reprogrammed by the doctors to become retinal cells and then used for transplantation for the man. If all goes well, new cells will prevent retinal aging and help patients maintain stable vision.

This is not the first time Japanese doctors have conducted a reprogrammed stem cell transplant. Previously, they tested stem cell transplants taken from the skin of patients in 2014. However, the patient's abnormal genetic make the test stop. Now, doctors turn to taking stem cells from healthy people instead of from patients themselves.

More importantly, Japan is planning to make stem cell donation more popular. Researcher Shinya Yamanaka is currently developing a stem cell bank so that patients who need treatment can use it immediately, instead of waiting monthly to find the right candidate. Although only meeting 30 to 50% of the actual needs, Mr. Yamanaka's stem cell bank is proving to be very helpful in improving the quality of treatment for many Japanese patients.