News Genetics

Scientists replaced 80 percent of a ‘butterfly’ boy’s skin

Combination of stem cells and gene therapy essentially cures a genetic skin disease

skin

SKIN REPAIR A 7-year-old with a rare genetic condition lost most of the top layer of his skin, the epidermis. Scientists used a combination of stem cells and gene therapy to repair the damage.  

Andrey Prokhorov/iStockphoto

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

In a last-ditch effort to save a dying 7-year-old boy, scientists have used stem cells and gene therapy to replace about 80 percent of his skin.