Robert Lanza had recently blogged about developments in organs being recreated out of stem cells, noting that one type of complex tissue has been successfully recreated—an eight-layer early-stage retina designed to improve studies and even perhaps become a basis of treatment for eye disorders or blindness. That time, this tissue was the most complex cell structure created from derived embryonic stem cells. However, that structure is now eclipsed by a breakthrough in Japan where a full retina has been created.
Mouse embryonic stem cells have been carefully coaxed to a very precise three-dimensional assembly, which is nicknamed “retina in a dish.” It is now currently leagues ahead of its predecessor as the most complex biological tissue engineered ever.
Robert Lanza commends Dr. Yoshiki Sasai at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, who heads the research, for this amazing development. As he had always hoped for stem cell-derived biological structures, this technique, if adapted to human cells and then successfully proven safe for transplantation, can open the gates on unlimited tissue that replaces retinas. This, however, may take years.
A more immediate use for this is that Dr. Sasai's work can serve as a “quick-guide” for other researchers, and may aid in becoming a blueprint for assembly of other organs and complex tissues.
Robert Lanza’s own breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research can be found at his website,
www.robertlanza.com.
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