isolation. To get intestinal crypt stem cells, I expect you would
need a needle biopsy through the abdomen -- much more invasive and
potentially risky than a skin punch. Obviously neuronal stem cells
are even *more* difficult.
### There is a rather simple and safe method used for intestinal biopsies
where the patient swallows a small capsule with a sharp-edged opening in its
side, attached to a thin catheter. Once the capsule is in the intestine
(carried by peristalsis), you apply gentle suction to the catheter with a
syringe, sucking in a bit of intestinal lining. Another method is by
endoscope, also quite safe although much more unpleasant than a skin biopsy.
Rafal Smigrodzki, MD-PhD
smigrodzkir@msx.upmc.edu
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