China's first interstitial stem cell bank was inaugurated on Monday in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

The center, built by China National Engineering Center of Cell Products (NECCP), engages in the development, production and storage of stem cells.

As a kind of stem cells, interstitial stem cells can be dissociated into various kinds of interstitial tissues and are widely used in cell therapy of injured tissues and organs, especially in treating cancer, nervous system disease and burns and scalds, said Wang Fusheng, head of the center.

He said interstitial stem cells are usually taken from marrow. However, NECCP succeeded in isolating them from the navel string, which has a better propagating capability.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2006)