French researchers have successfully used human embryonic stem cells to create new skin to help those suffering from serious burns.

In existing cell therapy, a person's own skin cells are grown in the laboratory to provide replacement skin in severe burn victims.

The process takes more than three weeks and is associated with a variety of complications. During these three weeks the victims' wounds are covered with specially processed skin from a deceased donor; therefore, the practice increases the risk of rejection and disease transmission.

According to a study published in The Lancet, the newly generated cells have the characteristics of the epidermis. Once manipulated on an artificial surface, they can form a layer of the skin.

In the new method, the fully formed human skin develops within 12 weeks after the transplantation of the stem cells. The skin is reported to have a structure consistent with human skin.

Scientists are optimistic that their findings will help the problems of rejection that burns patients currently face, adding that it would provide "an unlimited resource for temporary skin replacement in patients with large burns awaiting grafts of their own skin".

PKH/SC/MMN