New research has found evidence that stem cells could be used to correct genetic defects in skin and to treat certain rare diseases.

Three separate studies by scientists in the US, Europe and Japan have raised hopes that the methods could be used to develop treatments for a range of problems, including epidermolysis bullosa.

It is a disorder wheresufferers are born with extensive blistering and patches of missing skin.

They areleft with extremely fragile skin for all of their lives.

In the first study, the researchers used Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) - adult cells that are reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.

The scientists took diseased cells from three adult patients withepidermolysis bullosa.

The researchers converted the cells into iPSCs and used specialist tools to edit and fix the mutation in the genetic code responsible for defective collagen protein production, which causes the condition.

They then grew pieces of human skin that produced the correct collagen, and grafted them into mice where they lasted for three weeks.

It i's hoped the risk of rejection in humans will be minimal because the skin is made from the patient's own cells.

A second study confirmed these findings in the lab, showing that it is possible to genetically correct iPSCs from mice with epidermolysis bullosa and use the repaired cells to heal blistered skin.

Excerpt from:
Scientists use stem cells to correct skin defects

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