Stem Cells

Stem
Cells
Submitted by:
Saidamen, Precious Wafah M.
Submitted to:
Prof. Haniyyah Inoray G. Latip
Submitted on:
April 15, 2024
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are special human cells that are able to develop into many different cell types.
This can range from muscle cells to brain cells. In some cases, they can also fix damaged tissues.
Researchers believe that stem cell-based therapies may one day be used to treat serious illnesses
such as paralysis and Alzheimer disease.
Types of stem cells

Stem cells are divided into 2 main forms. They are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells. The embryonic stem cells used in research today come from
unused embryos. These result from an in vitro fertilization procedure. They are donated to
science. These embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. This means that they can turn into more
than one type of cell.
Adult stem cells. There are 2 types of adult stem cells. One type comes from fully developed
tissues such as the brain, skin, and bone marrow. There are only small numbers of stem cells in
these tissues. They are more likely to generate only certain types of cells. For example, a stem
cell that comes from the liver will only make more liver cells.
The second type is induced pluripotent stem cells. These are adult stem cells that have
been changed in a lab to be more like embryonic stem cells. Scientists first reported that human
stem cells could be changed in this way in 2006. Induced pluripotent stem cells don't seem to be
different from embryonic stem cells, but scientists have not yet found one that can develop every
kind of cell and tissue.
Stem cells in medicine

The only stem cells now used to treat disease are hematopoietic stem cells. These are the
blood cell-forming adult stem cells found in bone marrow. Every type of blood cell in the bone
marrow starts as a stem cell. Stem cells are immature cells that are able to make other blood cells
that mature and function as needed.
These cells are used in procedures such as bone marrow transplants. These help people
with cancer make new blood cells after their own hematopoietic stem cells have been killed by
radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They may also be used to treat people with conditions such
as Fanconi anemia. This is a blood disorder that causes the body's bone marrow to fail.
Stem cells may help your health in the future in many ways and through many new
treatments. Researchers think that stem cells will be used to help create new tissue. For example,
one day healthcare providers may be able to treat people with chronic heart disease. They can do
this by growing healthy heart muscle cells in a lab and transplanting them into damaged hearts.
Other treatments could target illnesses such as type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer
disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. New medicines could also be tested on cells made from
pluripotent stem cells.
Challenges in stem cell research

Stem cells need much more study before their use can be expanded. Scientists must first
learn more about how embryonic stem cells develop. This will help them understand how to
control the type of cells created from them. Another challenge is that the embryonic stem cells
available today are likely to be rejected by the body. And some people find it morally troubling
to use stem cells that come from embryos.
Scientists also face challenges when using adult pluripotent stem cells. These cells are
hard to grow in a lab, so researchers are looking into ways to improve the process. These cells
are also found in small amounts in the body. There is a greater chance that they could contain
DNA problems.
Clinical trials that use stem cell therapies are currently being done in the U.S. If you are
interested in trying this therapy to treat a certain condition, ask your healthcare provider how to
find out about trials available in your area.
Source: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=what-are-stem-cells-160-38

Stem Cells

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Stem Cells

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Stem Cells

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Stem

Types of stem cells

Stem cells in medicine

Challenges in stem cell research

You might also like