Creating Skeletal Muscle from Stem Cells

Recognising the precise steps involved in the differentiation process of stem cells into various cell types is crucial to regenerative medicine. Researchers face the specific challenge of how to fine-tune and optimise protocols for directing stem cells to differentiate into specific cell lineages. As such, the directed differentiation to skeletal muscles has not yet advanced to the clinical trials stage. Dr. Michael Hicks from the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, is working to change this with his extensive studies into the transition of stem cells into skeletal muscles.