The idea of extending the human lifespan has long fascinated the public and challenged scientists. Funding for research into ageing processes, and the R&D of therapeutics to slow them, is increasing. Recent findings suggest that progress has been made, motivated in part by the rapid growth of elderly populations that might benefit from such advances. Furthermore, economists predict that many countries may face bankruptcy by 2050 (or earlier) because of rising healthcare expenditures associated with care of the elderly.

If recent studies are to be believed, America's obsession with diet and exercise has done little to trim the country's collective flab. While this is hardly good news on the health care front, one company is attempting to turn at least some of that fat into therapeutic muscle. In particular, Artecel Sciences Inc. is exploring ways in which cells harvested from fat tissue can be used in a variety of medical applications, including tissue repair and hematopoietic support for bone marrow transplantation.