• Question: can you grow anything else other than red blood cells

    Asked by MCKingfisher to Gemma on 9 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Gemma Barron

      Gemma Barron answered on 9 Nov 2015:

      Hi @MCKingfisher. Thank you for your question.
      Yes, I can grow lots of cells in the laboratory and I use human cells from collected from our bodies to form my blood vessels and these include umbilical vein endothelium (cells which form a single layer of cells lining various organs and cavities of the body, especially the blood vessels and the heart), fibroblasts (cells in our connective tissue). I also have an interest in growing breast and colon cancer cells for other projects that I am involved in at the moment. I should add that I don’t grow red blood cells in the laboratory but, rather collect the red blood cells from volunteers who donate their blood for scientific research.
      I hope that answers your question and I look forward to many more.
      Thank you, Gemma

Comments

  • Photo: Loan

    Loan commented on :

    Hi,
    I have grown brain cells call neurones and astro-glial cells as well as heart cells call fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes.

    Hope that anwers your question. Keep on asking, it is the best way to learn.

    Loan