Stem cells are cells in the body with the sole purpose of multiplying and producing specific cells the body needs. Stem cells are raw, undifferentiated cells that multiply to produce daughter cells through a method known as differentiation. These cells, in turn, become new stem cells or specialized cells (i.e., brain cells, kidney cells, etc.) that operate in different parts of the body. In parts of the body like the bone marrow and the gut, stem cells regularly differentiate into functional cells that rebuild organ tissue.
There are various sources of stem cells: adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem cells, and Induced Pluripotent stem cells. Adult stem cells, also called somatic stem cells, are tissue-specific; they can only create cells that work explicitly in a particular organ or body part. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos. These stem cells are pluripotent, meaning that they can split up into more stem cells or become specialized cells working for any part of the body. Mesenchymal stem cells are part of the connective tissue and are present around the body's organs. Scientists create Induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPS) by genetically altering adult stem cells.
The study of stem cells has been fascinating to members of the scientific community for multiple reasons. Firstly, stem cells have a unique function that can explain how diseases develop and affect the body. Researchers can also use stem cells to test drugs. They can do this by programming a stem cell to adopt functional qualities and then observing a drug's impacts on those cells. However, scientists are still researching various methods to program stem cells into functional cells.
However, the most established use of stem cell research is stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine is a non-invasive medical procedure developed by scientists to restore or rebuild damaged cells. Doctors carry out this procedure by introducing healthy stem cells, usually Mesenchymal stem cells, into a patient's body. With the right guidance, these stem cells do one of two things; form the specialized cells needed by the body or change the behavior of existing cells through direct contact or cell signaling. Scientists believe that stem cell therapy could be a great treatment for medical issues such as tissue regeneration, cardiovascular, blood, or brain diseases, and cell deficiency.
Stem cell therapy has immense potential, but scientists have only formulated a small number of safe stem cell treatments. However, hematopoietic or blood stem cell treatment, the most popular type of stem cell therapy, is widely accepted in the medical community. Doctors use it to repair the blood system after cancer treatments. They also use it to treat numerous blood or immune system disorders. A bone marrow transplant is an example of this. Doctors also use stem cell therapy to treat various skin, bone, or eye defects, as the grafted tissues used in these procedures depend on implanted stem cells to heal suitably. Other stem cell therapy uses are considered experimental.
Stem cell therapy can improve a patient's quality of life by halting the progression of diseases and giving the body a means to heal itself. Stem cell therapy can be dispensed intravenously, intrathecally, or by simple injection into affected areas of the body.
There are various sources of stem cells: adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem cells, and Induced Pluripotent stem cells. Adult stem cells, also called somatic stem cells, are tissue-specific; they can only create cells that work explicitly in a particular organ or body part. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos. These stem cells are pluripotent, meaning that they can split up into more stem cells or become specialized cells working for any part of the body. Mesenchymal stem cells are part of the connective tissue and are present around the body's organs. Scientists create Induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPS) by genetically altering adult stem cells.
The study of stem cells has been fascinating to members of the scientific community for multiple reasons. Firstly, stem cells have a unique function that can explain how diseases develop and affect the body. Researchers can also use stem cells to test drugs. They can do this by programming a stem cell to adopt functional qualities and then observing a drug's impacts on those cells. However, scientists are still researching various methods to program stem cells into functional cells.
However, the most established use of stem cell research is stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine is a non-invasive medical procedure developed by scientists to restore or rebuild damaged cells. Doctors carry out this procedure by introducing healthy stem cells, usually Mesenchymal stem cells, into a patient's body. With the right guidance, these stem cells do one of two things; form the specialized cells needed by the body or change the behavior of existing cells through direct contact or cell signaling. Scientists believe that stem cell therapy could be a great treatment for medical issues such as tissue regeneration, cardiovascular, blood, or brain diseases, and cell deficiency.
Stem cell therapy has immense potential, but scientists have only formulated a small number of safe stem cell treatments. However, hematopoietic or blood stem cell treatment, the most popular type of stem cell therapy, is widely accepted in the medical community. Doctors use it to repair the blood system after cancer treatments. They also use it to treat numerous blood or immune system disorders. A bone marrow transplant is an example of this. Doctors also use stem cell therapy to treat various skin, bone, or eye defects, as the grafted tissues used in these procedures depend on implanted stem cells to heal suitably. Other stem cell therapy uses are considered experimental.
Stem cell therapy can improve a patient's quality of life by halting the progression of diseases and giving the body a means to heal itself. Stem cell therapy can be dispensed intravenously, intrathecally, or by simple injection into affected areas of the body.
