A number of promising developments in adult stem cell research have been reported over the past couple of weeks. They include:

Mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic fluid could be used to repair defective windpipes in unborn children, according to research at Children's Hospital Boston. Using lambs, a team headed by Dr Dario Fauza successfully multiplied adult stem cells in a culture, differentiated them into cartilage cells, and repaired birth defects in utero.