Stem Cells Offer New Insights into Genetic Causes of Heart Disease

According to a recent publication in Science Translational Medicine, patient stem cells are being used to study a genetic mutation associated with increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and complications arising from type 2 diabetes. Using stem-cell-derived heart cells isolated from patients with a common mutation, researchers were able to determine how this change affects survival of heart cells. Studies in patient stem cells may lead to reduction in the number of animals used to study human heart disease, development of new diagnostic methods, and patient-specific treatments.