Breastmilk contains stem cells -- Taken to a higher level

BAAR, Switzerland, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The theory developed in
2007 by scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) that
breastmilk contains stem cells has been taken to a higher level with the
latest discovery by one of the team's newer members.  UWA Ph.D. candidate
Foteini Hassiotou has proven that stem cells from breastmilk can now be
directed to become other body cell types such as bone, fat, liver and brain
cells. Could this finally be the answer to ethically and easily obtaining
pluripotent stem cells in a non-invasive manner? And what does this mean
with regard to the unique power of breastmilk for the growth and
development of babies?

*Stem Cells in Breastmilk – Theory Becomes Reality*

Following  Hassiotou's  recent win of the 2011 AusBiotech-GSK Student
Excellence Award for her research into breastmilk stem cells (Oct.17,
2011), Medela is proud to announce Hassiotou's first presentation of her
findings of stem cells in breastmilk inEurope early next year. She will
share her findings during Medela's 7th International Breastfeeding and
Lactation Symposium to be held in Vienna, Austria from  April 20-21, 2012.

This discovery by Hassiotou, who is part of the Human Lactation Research
Group under the direction of Professor Peter Hartmann at the
University of Western
Australia, may well be the answer to ethically and easily obtaining stem
cells in a non-invasive manner. The value in harvesting stem cells from
breastmilk lies in their incredible potential to develop into many
different cell types in the body during early life and growth. They have
the ability to act as a type of "internal repair system." With both types
of stem cells (embryonic and adult), however, well-documented hurdles exist
both from an ethical as well as from a practical harvesting perspective.

Medela has been working with the Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group
since the mid-1990s resulting in numerous scientific breakthroughs
including overturning a 160-year old anatomical model of the lactating
human breast, and a unique insight into the sucking, swallowing and
breathing mechanism that  babies must master to feed properly. The Group
has been working on the subject of stem cells for over five years.

<snip>

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stem-cells-in-breastmilk-133619023.html


-- Jodine Chase

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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