The potential and scope for the use of stem cells from cord blood for the treatment and cure of many major diseases is enormous. The use of stem cells is not just confined to disease and illness but there are also many cosmetic applications.

Such cosmetic applications include the work being undertaken by Professor Paul Sharpe of Guy’s Hospital, London who is developing stem cell technologies that will enable the re-growth of human teeth. It is believed that stem cell buds will be able to be placed in gum cavities of missing teeth and the new “stem teeth’ will grow in both directions and will embed themselves just like natural teeth into the neighbouring bone and connective tissues. There have been some initial successes with growing teeth but the real challenge is to get the teeth to grow on commands into the different shapes and sizes that are required in the different areas of the mouth.

A company called Odontis has been set up as a vehicle for the research and ultimately will be used to exploit the technologies.