The Department of Biophysics, in collaboration with the department of Oral Health Sciences at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh has developed a new technique for isolating “stem cells” from extracted “wisdom teeth” of patients.
In a significant research development, these teeth, which are normally discarded, have been processed in the laboratory to extract stem cells which can be induced to grow into nerve cells, bone cells or fat cells.
Bone marrow or cord blood derived stem cells are the main source of isolating human stem cells for therapeutic applications in clinics and most of the ongoing clinical trials are with these stem cells.
However, bone marrow aspiration is an invasive procedure and cord blood culture is possible only at birth.
The embryo derived stem cells also raise many legal and ethical concerns. So, the isolation of viable stem cells from discarded tooth provides another alternate source of stem cells for future applications.
This work was presented by Dr Shalmoli Bhattacharyya, Assistant Professor, department of Biophysics, PGIMER, at the recently concluded 11th PG convention of Indian society of Pedodontics and preventive Dentistry.
A practical demonstration of the technique was given during a pre-convention course on Molecular tools for stem cell biology. These findings show that discarded teeth may be a potential source of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
These stem cells may be used in pulp capping or root canal treatment or may allow for the completion and reinforcement of the tooth structure. These cells may also emerge as an alternate source of stem cells for clinical use in regenerative medicine.