Dead bodies can provide organs for transplants, now they might
become a source of stem cells too. Huge numbers of stem cells
can still be mined from bone marrow five days after death to be
potentially used in a variety of life-saving treatments. Human
bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells, which can develop
into bone, cartilage, fat and other cell types. MSCs can be
transplanted and the type of cell they form depends on where
they are injected. Cells injected into the heart, for example,
can form healthy new tissue, a useful therapy for people with
chronic heart conditions.