Scientists swoon over stem-cell breakthrough that may cure ‘untreatable’ injuries

Scientists in Shanghai have grown muscle stem cells in a test tube, a breakthrough that could potentially save the careers of top athletes and cure as-yet untreatable injuries.

“This technology could cure (recently retired Chinese hurdler) Liu Xiang’s injury,” said Hu Ping, a cell biologist with the Shanghai Institute for Biological Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“It can generate enough stem cells to heal permanent wounds, especially those caused externally,” added Hu, who served as the lead author of a paper on the subject published in the latest issue of the journal Cell Research.

Liu emerged as Asia’s first Olympic gold medalist in the 110-metre hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also ranks as the continent’s first world champion hurdler.

A nagging tendon injury caused the Shanghai native to limp off the track when Beijing hosted the Summer Games in 2008. He retired from the sport this April, blaming his longstanding injury.

Now scientists from Liu’s hometown believe they have found a way to restore him to full health, along with millions of other patients bearing muscle-related injuries.