Melbourne Scientists Pioneer Creation of Human-Like Blood Stem Cells

Melbourne researchers have created blood stem cells resembling human tissue, potentially revolutionizing therapies for bone marrow failure syndromes and leukaemia. This breakthrough, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, offers promising advancements in personalized treatments and transplants.

Researchers in Melbourne have accomplished a world first by creating blood stem cells that closely resemble human tissue, offering new hope for therapies aimed at children with bone marrow failure syndromes and leukaemia.

Led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and published in Nature Biotechnology, the study has overcome a significant hurdle in the production of human blood stem cells. These lab-grown cells can generate red, white blood cells, and platelets that are strikingly similar to those in human embryos.

MCRI Associate Professor Elizabeth Ng said, 'The ability to reprogram a patient's cells into matching blood cells for transplantation will have a massive impact on vulnerable patients' lives.'

Until now, creating transplantable human blood stem cells in a lab that could function like natural stem cells had been deemed unachievable. Using immune-deficient mice, the research demonstrated that these lab-grown cells become functional bone marrow at levels comparable to umbilical cord blood transplants, mimicking the preservation process required for clinical use.

MCRI Professor Ed Stanley emphasized that these findings could lead to innovative treatments for various blood disorders: 'Understanding and perfecting stem cell methods can lead to personalized treatments for leukaemia and bone marrow failures.'

Professor Andrew Elefanty added that the development of patient-specific blood stem cells will resolve issues like donor shortages and prevent immune complications.

The next phase, expected in about five years pending government funding, involves a clinical trial to test the safety of these lab-grown blood cells in humans. The journey of a young patient named Riya, who underwent a challenging bone marrow transplant, underscores the significance of this breakthrough.

Riya's mother, Sonali, expressed optimism about the new research, noting its potential to provide targeted treatments for children with these debilitating conditions, calling it a 'blessing to many families.'

(With inputs from agencies.)