STEM CELLS

 STEM CELLS?

Stem cells are non-specialized cells which can create other types of cells. These cells are within us in our bodies our whole life. They are fasinating to learn about and can help change the world in so many ways yet people still lack knowledge about them.  For one thing, they have the potential to create new cells in the fetus than in the adult body; and some types of stem cells have the capability of creating other types of cells in the body. Other stem cells can repair and then replace tissues or cells in the body that were previously damaged.

Embryonic Stem cells: These stem cells are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells come from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized. They may eventually be donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. These stem cells are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman's body.

iPS Stem cells: Also known as induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells have been created from some type of adult cell (skin, stomach, liver, etc) through the introduction of genes that reprogram the cell and transform it into a cell that has all of the characteristics of an embryonic stem cell.

Adult/ Somatic Stem cells: Known to be an "undifferentiated" cell. It is found among differentiated cells within a tissue or organ. These can renew themselves and can differentiate to stop some or all of the major specialized cell types of the tissue or of the organ. 

Thanks to scientists in this day in age we are able to use Stem cells in order to treat (and hopefully cure) numerous different diseases because they have the ability to become any kind of tissue. Stem cells are capable of generating into any form of a healthy cell which is why they can treat diseases. Diseases such as Parkinson's, MS, and Alzheimer's have been explored and scientists are continuing to the attempt to find a cure to these horrible diseases that millions of people are faced with every year.  New research and tests have shown that stem cells may also have the potential for treating spinal cord injuries. It is important for people to know the benefits of stem cells and why the research for these projects are so important and critical for everyone.

  Cells are grown in a laboratory via culturing. Culturing simply means that cells are grown in a controlled condition. In some cases these cells are grown in a broth that is high in nutrients. The term for this is a culture medium. The cells will begin to divide and cover the surface of the petri dish they are in but only if the culturing is successful. Once the successful process of culturing is complete it is then re-cultured and a cell line is established. It is crazy to think that in one small petri dish millions of cells exist. Not only are there just millions of new cells bu they are also genetically identical to the original cells. It is possible of course that these cell lines could develop abnormalities which leaves the cells to be different genetically from the original samples of the cell. Interestingly, cells can be frozen and shipped to labs around the world. This makes research convenient for scientists and they can share their findings not just through paper or via their experiments but others will be able to see the results themselves and even do their own experiments with the new cells.