[By Claire Sand (King’s College London, UK)]{style=“font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;”} [Awarded joint 2nd prize for Access to Understanding 2013]{style=“font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;”} [For years scientists have attempted to harness the potential of stem cells for repairing damaged blood vessels.