Stem-cell repair for muscle damage could be just 'years away'

A fish is at the heart of some groundbreaking research helping Australian scientists to unlock the key to treating muscle diseases and injuries.

Zebra fish share 70 per cent of their genes with humans, and are also transparent, making them perfect specimens for research.

"You can see right through them … you can see the stem cells dividing," Professor Peter Currie from Monash University said.

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Muscle stem cells are the key to repairing tissue, but growing them in a lab so they can be used therapeutically has been difficult.

But now, researchers investigating the role of certain immune cells have found a naturally occurring protein that heals muscle.

"The most important phrase ever uttered in the lab is not 'Eureka, I found it', it's 'oh my God, that's bizarre, I've never seen that before'," Professor Currie said.

After fish, the protein was tested on mice with severe muscle damage.

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It worked, with the muscle completely regenerating and movement returning to normal.

Clinical trials are the next step.

There are hopes it could help people of all ages, including repairing day-to-day muscle injuries, to helping the frail, and potentially treating diseases like muscular dystrophy.

"We're speaking within a two-year time-frame for the preliminary pre-clinical trial testing and if that works, we'll be looking to move into clinical trials," Professor Currie said.