Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have made the first step toward growing blood vessels using stem cells. The blood vessels could eventually be transplanted into living organisms.

Using embryonic stem cells from mice, researchers were successful in differentiating the stem cells into myocytes, one of the building blocks of blood vessels.

Dr. Oscar Abilez, a surgical resident, and others performed the work in the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Zarin, a surgery professor.

“It’s very odd,” Abilez said. “We get these stem cells and grow them into contracting myocytes in cultures. You really see them contracting, you know they’re really alive, and you start to believe this stem cell stuff has possibilities.”

The researchers hope to eventually grow whole blood vessels that can be transplanted back into mice.

The goal of the research is to bring together two areas of medical investigation, stem-cell research and tissue engineering, which is the growth of organs and tissues outside the body for replacement.

“This is an exciting, emerging research front,” said Dr. John Cook, professor of medicine. “It has great possibilities for therapeutic applications.”

— Don Kazak