Stem cell technique could boost recovery, UCI says

UCI scientists have found a new way to sort stem cells that could expedite therapies for brain and spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases, school officials announced Thursday.

Various types of stem cells have different electrical properties, scientists said. The technique created by UCI stem cell biologist Lisa Flanagan and her team capitalizes on that fact and uses electrical charges to capture the types of stem cells they want while discarding the others.

Today, scientists usually separate stem cells through their fluorescent characteristics shown under lasers — a costly and lengthy process, officials said.

Many scientists believe stem cells will someday be used to regenerate cells damaged by various diseases and injuries. Patients who receive unfiltered stem cells may reject the transplant or develop tumors, scientists have found. UCI’s technique and today’s methods could create purified strains of stem cells, researchers said.

UCI’s study is in the online “Stem Cells” journal posted Thursday.

— Joseph Serna