A new type of embryonic stem cells has been discovered in Iran

On February 10, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) quoted Head of Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute Abbas Aflatoonian as saying, “Scientists at R&D of the Stem Cell Biology Department have discovered a new type of embryonic stem cells.” What comes next is the translation of what else the researcher said:

Two types of stem cells we chose to call Yazd 1 and Yazd 2 were already discovered a while ago, Aflatoonian said, adding “Embryonic stem cells are derived from a human fetus during blastocyst. These cells have the ability to turn into other cell types, that’s why they are called pluripotent stem cells; they are of tremendous importance because of their potency.”

He expressed hope that the recently discovered stem cells, Yazd1, Yazd 2, Yazd 3, will set the stage for fundamental studies in different fields such as cell therapy, pharmacology, toxicology, developmental biology and tissue engineering.

With the endeavors of some experts at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and following the launch of a research project aimed at studying the success of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in infertile couples, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute was established in October 1988.

The center was initially designed to develop the technology needed to address infertility in the country, help develop this science in the province and the country, and treat infertile couples who had to travel to Europe to get medical treatment. At present, some 9,000 couples refer to the center on the yearly basis to have their infertility problem solved.

Among the therapeutic achievements of the center are first Iranian IVF baby in 1990, first Iranian Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) baby using Electroejaculation in 1992, first Iranian baby using egg donation in 1994,first Iranian Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) baby in 1995, first Iranian baby using Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) and microinjection in 1996, first Iranian baby using Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) and microinjection in 1997, first Iranian baby using  Assisted Zona Hatching (AZH) in 1997, first Iranian baby using frozen embryo in 1997, first Iranian baby using Testicular Round Spermatid and microinjection in 1998 and first Iranian baby using In Vitro Maturation (IVM).