Using stem cells from the womb: Dr Paolo De Coppi & Dr Anna David

Amniotic fluid stem cells, different from adult and embryonic stem cells, may soon hold the answer to correcting life-threatening birth defects. While Dr Anna David (UCL Institute for Women's Health / UCLH) works with mothers-to-be and helps diagnose these abnormalities in the womb, Dr Paolo De Coppi (UCL Institute of Child Health / Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children) and his team are working with stem cells from the amniotic fluid in the hope of developing therapies. Though this research is still at a pre-clinical stage, the future potential is enormous for treating babies both in the the womb and after birth. Further information: UCL Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/stemcells/ For more on Dr De Coppi's research: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/stemcells/researchers/pc For more on Dr David's research: http://www.instituteforwomenshealth.ucl.ac.uk/academic_research/maternalfetal/prenatalcell UCL is consistently ranked as one of the world's top universities. Across all disciplines our faculties are known for their research-intensive approaches, academic excellence and engagement with global challenges. This is the basis of our world-renowned degree programmes. Visit us at www.ucl.ac.uk.