What: Researchers have found a new cell transformation method which turns blood cells into beating heart cells without the use of viruses. Scientists shock stem cells to create a gateway which allows them to inject a plasmid which add genes to the cells, turning them into induced pluripotent stem cells. Scientists then use a nutrient and growth factor broth to create beating heart cells.
Who: Johns Hopkins postdoctoral scientist Paul Burridge wanted to determine if cardiac cells could be created without a viral vector. He and other Johns Hopkins scientists performed the study.
The Future: Researchers hope the cells can be used to test cardiac medicines and even be grafted into the hearts of patients who have suffered heart attacks.
-compiled by Haley McKey
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