In particular, the potential for mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to differentiate into multiple phenotypes - like fat, cartilage and bone - make them ideal building blocks for bone and cartilage tissue engineering in orthopaedics and rheumatology.

UNESCO: 2010 UK and Ireland Winners

Or the 2 million Americans who need bone and cartilage reconstruction each year.

FORBES: Plastic Man

It's also working on treatments for diabetes, liver disease, bone and cartilage repair.

BBC: White House stem cell shift expected

"Recent scans confirm an injury to the right knee with bone bruising and possible cartilage damage to the kneecap, " the ECB said in a statement.

WSJ: Pietersen Quits Tour With Knee Injury