Scientists in Japan have come up with a cheap new way to produce stem cells en masse.

The researchers at Kyoto University say their discovery solves the problem of producing large numbers of the cells at a reasonable cost.

Doctors have high hopes for stem cell therapy but its use is limited by the difficulty of producing the cells.

The researchers solved the problem by using Gellan gum, a gelling agent that sometimes appears as a food additive.

The gel enabled them to boost the number of stem cells.

Current stem cell therapies cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per person.

The Kyoto scientists hope their method brings stem cell therapy within reach of the general public.