Pioneering stem cell project
‘Many people in their 60s and 70s want to keep active’
Published:
RESEARCH being conducted by an Aberdeen scientist could see stem cell therapies being used to treat sports injuries, broken bones and osteoarthritis.
Professor Cosimo De Bari, a clinician scientist at Aberdeen University, is looking into how stem cell research could be used to treat muscular and skeletal problems.
Prof De Bari, who is also a consultant rheumatologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, is also carrying out research into how stem cells can be taken from the body and then manipulated in a laboratory to become bones or cartilage.
Prof De Bari said: “Regenerative medicine is a new and exciting field of medicine that could completely revolutionise the way we treat patients with injuries such as broken bones, sports injuries and osteoarthritis.
“This field of medicine fits exactly with changes in our lifestyles and with our ageing population.
“Elderly people are now far more active than they used to be years ago. Many people in their 60s and 70s want to be out running marathons and keeping active.
“A prosthetic joint is fine for patients who do not want a challenging life but if they want an active life then stem cells could provide the answer.”
