'At least in the case of myocardial infract the evidence so far is encouraging. The cells were in existence but they were not been observed. Our scientists had been working on a certain type of cells in the human body and came across these. The importance of these cells is given by the fact that they act as the lieutenants of the stem cells and their action cannot be independent of the stem cells,' Popescu explained.

He mentioned that the Victor Babes scientists found the telocytes in the pancreas first and then in 15 other body organs.
'These cells are located in interstitia, the areas between specialised cells,' said Popescu.

He added that such cells are not used for medical purposes yet but they could be the key to heart regeneration.
Popescu said these cells are all the more important as each year 17.2 million people die from heart-related ailments and 80 percent of the victims are in developing countries or emerging economies.

The Victor Babes official said the institute is engaged in five projects - two worth 1,3 million euros each, two worth 4 million in all and one 1.5-million-euro project. /continued/ AGERPRES