about stem cells
stem cells are undifferentiated, or “blank,” cells. this means they’re capable of developing into cells that serve numerous functions in different parts of the body. most cells in the body are differentiated cells. these cells can only serve a specific purpose in a particular organ. for example, red blood cells are specifically designed to carry oxygen through the blood.
all humans start out as only one cell. this cell is called a zygote, or a fertilized egg. the zygote divides into two cells, then four cells, and so on. eventually, the cells begin to differentiate, taking on a certain function in a part of the body. this process is called differentiation.
stem cells are cells that haven’t differentiated yet. they have the ability to divide and make an indefinite number of copies of themselves. other cells in the body can only replicate a limited number of times before they begin to break down. when a stem cell divides, it can either remain a stem cell or turn into a differentiated cell, such as a muscle cell or a red blood cell.
types of stem cells
there are several types of stem cells that can be used for different purposes.
embryonic stem cells
embryonic stem cells come from human embryos that are three to five days old. they are harvested during a process called in-vitro fertilization. this involves fertilizing an embryo in a laboratory instead of inside the female body. embryonic stem cells are known as pluripotent stem cells. these cells can give rise to virtually any other type of cell in the body.
non-embryonic (adult) stem cells
adult stem cells have a misleading name, because they are also found in infants and children. these stem cells come from developed organs and tissues in the body. they’re used by the body to repair and replace damaged tissue in the same area in which they are found.
for example, hematopoietic stem cells are a type of adult stem cell found in bone marrow. they make new red blood cells, white blood cells, and other types of blood cells. doctors have been performing stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, for decades using hematopoietic stem cells in order to treat certain types of cancer.
adult stem cells can’t differentiate into as many other types of cells as embryonic stem cells can. induced pluripotent stem cells (ipscs)
scientists have recently discovered how to turn adult stem cells into pluripotent stem cells. these new types of cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells (ipscs). they can differentiate into all types of specialized cells in the body. this means they can potentially produce new cells for any organ or tissue. to create ipscs, scientists genetically reprogram the adult stem cells so they behave like embryonic stem cells.
cord blood stem cells and amniotic fluid stem cells
cord blood stem cells are harvested from the umbilical cord after childbirth. they can be frozen in cell banks for use in the future. these cells have been successfully used to treat children with blood cancers, such as leukemia, and certain genetic blood disorders.
stem cells have also been found in amniotic fluid. this is the fluid that surrounds a developing baby inside the mother’s womb. however, more research is needed to help understand the potential uses of amniotic fluid stem cells.
the process of cell differentiation
a primary goal of research on embryonic stem cells is to learn how undifferentiated stem cells turn into differentiated stem cells that form specific tissues and organs. researchers are also interested in figuring out how to control this process of differentiation.
over the years, scientists have developed methods to manipulate the stem cell process to create a particular cell type. this process is called directed differentiation. a recent study also discovered the first steps in how stem cells transform into brain cells and other types of cells. more research on this topic is ongoing.
cell-based therapies
if researchers can find a reliable way to direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells, they may be able to use the cells to treat certain diseases. for example, by directing the embryonic stem cells to turn into insulin-producing cells, they may be able to transplant the cells into people with type 1 diabetes.
other medical conditions that may potentially be treated with embryonic stem cells include:
● traumatic spinal cord injury
● stroke
● severe burns
● rheumatoid arthritis
● heart disease
● hearing loss
● retinal disease
● huntington’s disease
● parkinson’s disease
examples of such projects include:
● injecting modified stem cells directly into the brain after a stroke.
● using stem cells to replace damaged cells in the inner ear that detect sound, helping to restore hearing.
● altering the genes of stem cells to make them resistant to diseases, such as aids, and then inserting them into people with the disease.
● cultivating stem cells to repair the fragile bones of people with osteoporosis.
using stem cells to test new drugs
researchers are also using differentiated stem cells to test the safety and effectiveness of new medications. testing drugs on human stem cells eliminates the need to test them on animals.
potential uses of stem cells
since stem cells have the ability to turn into various other types of cells, scientists believe that they can be useful for treating and understanding diseases. according to the mayo clinic, stem cells can be used to:
● grow new cells in a laboratory to replace damaged organs or tissues.
● correct parts of organs that don’t work properly.
● research causes of genetic defects in cells.
● research how diseases occur or why certain cells develop into cancer cells.
● test new drugs for safety and effectiveness.