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What are stem cells? Properties of stem cells Potency definitions Types of stem cells Potential uses Research news Ethical issues

 These are "master" cells which can develop into any type of cell -- skin, bone, blood etc.
Stem cells are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a variety of specialised cells.

 Self-renewal - the ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining the undifferentiated state. Potency - the capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types.

Potency specifies the potential to differentiate into different cell types.

Totipotent stem cells can differentiate into embryonic and extraembryonic cell types.
Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into cells derived from any of the three germ layers.

Multipotent stem cells can produce only cells of a closely related family of cells.
Unipotent cells can produce only one cell type, but have the property of self-renewal which distinguishes them from non-stem cells (e.g. muscle stem cells).

1) Embryonic stem cells Embryonic stem cells are cultures of cells derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of a blastocyst. ES cells are pluripotent. If injected directly into the body, ES cells will differentiate into many different types of cells, causing a teratoma. Embryonic stem cells remain a theoretically potential source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease.

2) Adult stem cells

Adult stem cell refers to any cell which is found in a developed organism which has ability to divide and create another cell like itself and also divide and create a cell more differentiated than itself. Pluripotent adult stem cells are rare and generally small in number but can be found in umbilical cord blood. Adult stem cell treatments have been used for many years to treat successfully leukaemia through bone marrow transplants. Not as controversial

 Blood can be collected from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby shortly after birth. Rich in cord blood stem cells that can be used to generate blood cells and cells of the immune system. Can be used to treat a range of blood disorders and immune system conditions such as leukaemia and sickle cell anaemia. Stored in a cord blood bank for use as a potential source of tissue for transplant for that baby should it ever be required.

No problem with rejection of the transplanted tissue.

Alternatively, the cord blood may be donated to a general cord blood bank for use by other people in need of a transplant.

Stem cells have potential uses in many different areas of research and medicine.

Replace damaged tissue Study human development Testing of new drugs Screening toxins

Most of these applications are likely to be 10-20 years away.

Stem Cells Offer Cartilage Arthritis Sufferers

Repair

Hope

For

Friday, April 11, 2008 - Stem Cell Research Daily

Bone stem cells may be harnessed to repair the damaged cartilage that is one of the main symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to research announced on April 11. Cancer Stem Cells Created With New Technique
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - Stem Cell Research Daily

Researchers using a bit of genetic trickery have turned normal skin cells into cancer stem cells, a step that will make these naturally rare cells easier to study.

Reprogrammed Cells Symptoms In Rats

Reduce

Parkinsons

Monday, April 07, 2008 - Stem Cell Research Daily

Neurons derived from adult skin cells reprogrammed to have stem cell traits successfully integrated into fetal mouse brains and reduced symptoms in a Parkinsons disease rat model.
Researchers Demonstrate Safety Therapy Using Adult Stem Cells Of Gene

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - Stem Cell Research Daily

A new study by University of California researchers provides evidence that methods using human bone marrow-derived stem cells to deliver gene therapy to cure diseases of the blood, bone marrow and certain types of cancer do not cause the development of tumors or leukemia.

The overwhelming objection to stem cell research is that it involves the destruction of an embryo or foetus.

This constitutes destruction of a potential human, and conflicts with religious and moral views.
What actually constitutes the beginning of life for a human? Opinions on this vary from the moment of conception, to a 14 day embryo, to a living baby at birth. There are strict guidelines and legislation regarding any research involving embryos, but for many, research on adult stem cells is the only acceptable alternative.

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/stem_cells Science daily

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411085922.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407172707.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409120640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506163910.htm Research news www.stemcellresearchnews.com Biotechnology online www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/human/sctypes.cfm