Science Breakthroughs in 2011: Cancer Vaccines, 3-D Printing, and More

In April Japanese researchers reported they grew an entire synthetic mouse retina from embryonic stem cells. It is the most complex biological tissue grown from scratch so far. In the experiment, scientists coaxed embryonic stem cells to develop into retina cells that then organized themselves into three-dimensional retinas. These synthetic structures could help researchers study eye diseases and develop possible treatments. And, if human cells can be coerced into creating retinas, they could provide a source of cells that could be transplanted to repair or replace tissue damaged from degenerative eye diseases.