DEFINITION Stem cell: A cell that has the ability to
continuously divide and differentiate (develop) into various other
kind(s) of cells/tissues
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RELEVANCE Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into
other cell/tissue types, which allows them to replace cells that
have died. They have been used to replace defective cells/tissues
in patients who have certain diseases or defects.
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HISTORY 1998 - Researchers first extract stem cells from human
embryos 1999 - First Successful human transplant of insulin-making
cells from cadavers 2001 - President Bush restricts federal funding
for embryonic stem-cell research 2002 - Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation International creates $20 million fund-raising effort to
support stem-cell research 2002 - California approves stem cell
research 2004 - Harvard researchers grow stem cells from embryos
using private funding 2004 - Ballot measure for $3 Billion bond for
stem cells
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CHARACTERISTICS capable of dividing and renewing themselves for
long periods of time (proliferation and renewal) have the potential
to give rise to specialized cell types (differentiation)
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EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS derived from extra blastocysts that would
otherwise be discarded following IVF from five to six-day-old
embryos can also be grown in lab by cell culture (see next slide)
can proliferate for a year or more in the laboratory without
differentiating
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ADULT STEM CELLS undifferentiated cells found among specialized
or differentiated cells in a tissue or organ after birth they have
a more restricted ability to produce different cell types and to
self- renew (see next slide) can be found in many organs and
tissues, including the brain and the heart
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KINDS
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PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS pluripotent stem cells have more
potential to become any type of cell
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MULTIPOTENT STEM CELLS multipotent stem cells are more limited
in what they can become
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INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS IPSCs are adult cells that have
been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem celllike
state
TISSUES stem cells can be used to regenerate spinal cord, heart
tissue or any other major tissue in the body
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BONE MARROW adult stem cells help with jumpstarting repair of
eroded cartilage, and can replace damaged/destroyed bone marrow
with healthy bone marrow stem cells
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HEART DISEASE adult bone marrow stem cells injected into the
hearts are believed to improve cardiac function in victims of heart
failure or heart attack
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RISKS because stem cells injected into a patient are permanent,
long term side effects may not be fully understood for years
injection of embryonic stem cells may result in minor
miscalculations side effects are endless about 20% of rats injected
with embryonic stem cells later die from some form of cancerous
tumor
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IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL RESEARCH stem cells can replace
diseased or damaged cells stem cells can be used to test different
substances (drugs and chemicals) scientists can use stem cells to
screen new drugs, and develop systems to study growth/identify the
causes of birth defects stem cells allow us to study development
and genetics
