Scientists have developed a way of creating stem cells from blood, which doctors hope will eventually be used to treat a range of diseases.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge say the method may be the most viable way of eventually producing cells to treat patients.
Details were published in the journal Stem Cells: Translational Medicine
The BBC reports stem cells are one of the great hopes of medical research. They can transform into any other type of cell the body is built from - so they should be able to repair everything from the brain to the heart and eyes to bone.
The team looked in blood samples for a type of repair cell that whizzes through the bloodstream repairing any damage to the walls of blood vessels. These were then converted into stem cells.
Dr Amer Rana said this method was better than taking samples from skin.
"We are excited to have developed a practical and efficient method to create stem cells from a cell type found in blood," he said.
"Tissue biopsies are undesirable - particularly for children and the elderly - whereas taking blood samples is routine for all patients."
Dr Rana told the BBC the cells also appeared to be safer to use than those made from skin.
"The fact that these appeared to be fairly stable is very promising," he said.
"The next stage obviously is to say, 'OK if we can do all this, let's actually make some clinical grade cells,' we can then move this technology into the clinic for the first time."
