A Better Solution for CAD than Nanobot

   In our project, we were asked to design a nanoscale device that would treat coronary artery disease. The main objective was to safely remove the plaque along the artery walls. CAD is dangerous because it can restrict the blood flow in the artery and potentially lead to a heart attack.
   But what if there was another solution that didn't include sending robots into the body? Researchers at  UC Davis have conducted experiments on mice in which they were injected with ALDH bright cells and it induced angiogenesis in regions of the body with ischemia. ALDH bright cell is a type of stem cell that contains all 3 of the most primitive subtypes of stem cells and a high concentration of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. The ALDH was injected into the limbs of the mice and they "homed" into areas of low blood flow and promote angiogenesis. The study is in the stage where it will readily be available for human clinical trials. The trials are readily available because they already administer human stem cells into mice. The research group at UC Davis say that they want to provide treatments for peripheral artery disease within the next year.
   The results from this experiment provide a potential treatment for many diseases that restrict blood flow because of the promotion of angiogenesis. It also shows the incredible potential of stem cells and reasons why we should continue to fund it.

http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=5209