What are Stem Cells?
Types of Stem Cells:
Embryonic stem cells - come from from the embryo, not yet differentiated. They can become any cell type in the body which is a term we call pluripotent.
Adult stem cells - they are differentiated, and can be found in specified parts/organs of the body. When an organ/part of the body in which they are found is damaged, the adult stem cell is able to generate new cells of that same type in order to repair it.
Induced pluripotent stem cell - an adult cell that has been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell stage by being required to express genes important for maintaining the properties of embryonic stem cells. iPS’s are becoming useful in drug development, transplantation medicine, and scientists are now using the tissues from the iPS because they are nearly identical to the donor, which could then avoid rejection from the immune system. Also, the iPS strategy has pluripotent stem cells that can help researchers learn how to reprogram cell how to repair their damaged tissues inside the body. http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics10.asp
Image from: http://www.patentbaristas.com/archives/2007/04/03/warf-stem-cell-patents-knocked-down-in-round-one/
Embryonic stem cells - come from from the embryo, not yet differentiated. They can become any cell type in the body which is a term we call pluripotent.
Adult stem cells - they are differentiated, and can be found in specified parts/organs of the body. When an organ/part of the body in which they are found is damaged, the adult stem cell is able to generate new cells of that same type in order to repair it.
Induced pluripotent stem cell - an adult cell that has been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell stage by being required to express genes important for maintaining the properties of embryonic stem cells. iPS’s are becoming useful in drug development, transplantation medicine, and scientists are now using the tissues from the iPS because they are nearly identical to the donor, which could then avoid rejection from the immune system. Also, the iPS strategy has pluripotent stem cells that can help researchers learn how to reprogram cell how to repair their damaged tissues inside the body. http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics10.asp
Image from: http://www.patentbaristas.com/archives/2007/04/03/warf-stem-cell-patents-knocked-down-in-round-one/
Image from: http://www.carepoints.org/stem-cells-a-future-one-stop-solution-to-all-deadly-diseases.htm
Research in Stem Cells
http://www.lsi.umich.edu/facultyresearch/centers/stemcellbiology/researchqa
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-division-and-cancer-14046590
Research in embryonic stem cells have been leading to new treatments to serious medical conditions such as: diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries, and heart failure. Scientists believe that research in stem cells can help explain how specialized cells develop in the embryo and how they form all of the tissues and organs in the body. Bone marrow transplants can regenerate cells involved in a person’s blood and immune system. This is especially important when a person has gone through chemotherapy and has lost these important cells. Another kind of cell found in the bone marrow transplant can be used to replace bone, cartilage, fat, muscle and tendons.
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-division-and-cancer-14046590
Research in embryonic stem cells have been leading to new treatments to serious medical conditions such as: diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries, and heart failure. Scientists believe that research in stem cells can help explain how specialized cells develop in the embryo and how they form all of the tissues and organs in the body. Bone marrow transplants can regenerate cells involved in a person’s blood and immune system. This is especially important when a person has gone through chemotherapy and has lost these important cells. Another kind of cell found in the bone marrow transplant can be used to replace bone, cartilage, fat, muscle and tendons.
Additional Information
Stem cells are genetically identical to other cells in the body. They have the ability to turn certain genes on and off in order to differentiate which type of cell is needed. Specialized cells can do specialized jobs due to the fact that they express a particular collection of genes. Once those genes are turned on, they cannot turn back off or use a different collection of genes.
Stem cells mature into adult stem cells and then they are able to control cell divisions. Cancer cells cannot control cell division and they can cause problems. Cancer cells divide more rapidly compared to normal cells due to their nature that allows them to grow into large tumors. Cancer cells are also immortal and they can divide infinitely whereas normal cells eventually stop dividing. When a patient receives chemotherapy, it targets the rapidly dividing cancer cells, which may in turn also affect the stem cells. Chemotherapy targets the markers for that type of cell. Today, chemotherapy is so specialized that there are many different types of which target only those specific cancer cells.
Stem cells mature into adult stem cells and then they are able to control cell divisions. Cancer cells cannot control cell division and they can cause problems. Cancer cells divide more rapidly compared to normal cells due to their nature that allows them to grow into large tumors. Cancer cells are also immortal and they can divide infinitely whereas normal cells eventually stop dividing. When a patient receives chemotherapy, it targets the rapidly dividing cancer cells, which may in turn also affect the stem cells. Chemotherapy targets the markers for that type of cell. Today, chemotherapy is so specialized that there are many different types of which target only those specific cancer cells.
Test Your Knowledge:
Which of the following stem cell types would be easiest to use if you needed to treat liver disease?
a. Umbilical cord stem cells. These are best for growing liver cells
b. Embryonic stem cells. Since I can't get any stem cells from my liver, I need to start over with the most powerful stem cells, embryonic
c. Adult stem cells. Liver tissue has adult stem cells that could be stimulated to help repair liver damage.
d. Embryonic stem cells. These are the only stem cells that will relaly ever work.
a. Umbilical cord stem cells. These are best for growing liver cells
b. Embryonic stem cells. Since I can't get any stem cells from my liver, I need to start over with the most powerful stem cells, embryonic
c. Adult stem cells. Liver tissue has adult stem cells that could be stimulated to help repair liver damage.
d. Embryonic stem cells. These are the only stem cells that will relaly ever work.