Stem cells are primal cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They retain the ability to renew them through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types.
Stem cells are generally very early stage cells that have the ability to turn into other specialized types of cells. Most of the 300 trillion cells of the body have completely specialized functions. Blood, lung, brain, skin or liver cells are all wonderfully specialized for what they do. By and large, they cannot do anything other than what they were designed for. Stem cells, on the other hand, do not have a specialized function; they are an immature kind of cell that still has the potential to develop into many different kinds of cell. They are 'all-purpose' cells. There is another characteristic of stem cells that makes them so prized. Unlike our specialist cells, stem cells have the capacity to keep multiplying. This capacity to both proliferate and form different types of cells makes them ideal for replacing tissue that is lost. Need new pancreatic cells to replace the one you've lost to diabetes? Let stem cells churn them out for you. That's the potential of stem cells and the reason why research scientists, biotech companies and sick people are so passionate about having the freedom to develop that potential. The three broad categories of mammalian stem cells are:
Stem cells are generally very early stage cells that have the ability to turn into other specialized types of cells. Most of the 300 trillion cells of the body have completely specialized functions. Blood, lung, brain, skin or liver cells are all wonderfully specialized for what they do. By and large, they cannot do anything other than what they were designed for. Stem cells, on the other hand, do not have a specialized function; they are an immature kind of cell that still has the potential to develop into many different kinds of cell. They are 'all-purpose' cells. There is another characteristic of stem cells that makes them so prized. Unlike our specialist cells, stem cells have the capacity to keep multiplying. This capacity to both proliferate and form different types of cells makes them ideal for replacing tissue that is lost. Need new pancreatic cells to replace the one you've lost to diabetes? Let stem cells churn them out for you. That's the potential of stem cells and the reason why research scientists, biotech companies and sick people are so passionate about having the freedom to develop that potential. The three broad categories of mammalian stem cells are:
1. Embryonic stem cells
2. Adult stem cells
3. Umbilical cord stem cells
2. Adult stem cells
3. Umbilical cord stem cells
Why are stem cells important?
As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed.Stem cells are significant for a number of reasons. These include things like: Potential therapeutic uses such as: cures for diabetes, leukemia, brain diseases like Parkinson, treatments for cancer or Multiple sclerosis (MS) etc etc. Genetically matched pluripotent embryonic stem cells generated via nuclear transfer (ntES cells) or parthenogenesis (pES cells) is a potential source of histocompatible cells and tissues for transplantation.
Why is Cord Blood so Valuable?
Umbilical cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. This blood has been found to be an extremely rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can now be used as an alternative to embryonic, bone marrow and other stem cell types. There are no ethical controversies surrounding stem cells derived from the umbilical cord as the umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded after birth.
Baby's cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells that could be used to treat many life-threatening diseases and medical conditions. The value and benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cells are great as stem cells save life, and medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells in treating diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Banking cord blood means that whenever need arises, your child will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with almost no risk of rejection.
Baby's cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells that could be used to treat many life-threatening diseases and medical conditions. The value and benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cells are great as stem cells save life, and medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells in treating diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Banking cord blood means that whenever need arises, your child will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with almost no risk of rejection.
Interesting links-
1- Bank for umbilical cord stem cell-
2- International society for stem cell research- http://www.isscr.org/
3- Slides showing how embryonic stem cells are cultured- http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/stemcells.html
4- Searches the Reuters news site for stories about stem cells- http://today.reuters.com/news/newssearchresults.aspx?srch=stem%20cell&searchtype=a
5- Debate about embryonic stem cell years ago (2001)- http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/07/17/cohen.otsc/
(Image source- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell)
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