Retinal stem cell transplant

[MargeB]

How do these work?

[jake-the-peg]

Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can convert into specialised cells.

It's the mechanism by which a single fertilised human egg can divide into an embryo with multiple cells all with different functions rather than a huge number of identicle cells.

Here is a good primer on stem cells:

http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/

I think you are probably refering to this work:

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=5853

Here the researchers implanted human stem cells into chick embryos and the embryos were able to continue to develop and the human stem cells formed part of the chick's eyes.

The long term goal is to be able to perform similar procedures with people who have degenerative eye complaints anthough sadly if you suffer from one now I doubt this sort of therapy would be available in time.

[levitt]

May be worth checking out this current product that has a similar effect!
www.stem-cell.co.uk

I've heard of it being used for a wide range of conditions and is clasified as a supplement.