British scientists in new medical breakthrough to grow 'off shelf veins'

British scientists in new medical breakthrough to grow 'off shelf veins' - Telegraph:

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A medical breakthrough by British scientists to grow “off the shelf” veins and arteries, which could potentially revolutionise treatment for range of conditions, has been hailed.

Researchers from Cambridge University have reportedly managed to grow all three main types of cells in a laboratory that make up the walls of a blood vessel.

Working over the past four years they used patients' own skin cells to manufacture different types of vascular smooth muscle cells.

In a study, published in Nature Biotechnology, they said their technique was 90 per cent effective in tests and would be suitable for producing blood vessels on an industrial scale.

Medical experts hailed the breakthrough, which they say could help in developing life-saving treatments for conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.