Task:

Task:Outline one therapeutic use of stem cells.

Definition of stem cellsStem cells are cells that have the ability to self-renew. These undifferentiated cells are able to evolve and reproduce indefinitely into special cell types.

Two different types of stem cellsStem cells are found in childrens as well as in adults.Adult stem cells, also called somatic stem cells, produce different kind of cells that maintain the bodys tissues and organsEmbryonic stem cells are taken during the four- or five-day-old human embryo that is in the blastocyst phase of embryological development.

BackgroundThe first transplant of bone marrow done successfully was in 1968. Bone marrow contains somatic stem cells that can produce all of the different cell types that make up our blood. The marrow is used to treat a variety of blood and disease of the bone marrow, cancer of the blood and immune system disorders. More recently, stem cells from the blood stream (called peripheral blood stem cells) and umbilical cord stem cells have been used to treat some of the same blood-based diseases.

Sickle-cell diseaseIt is an inherited blood disorder, characterized by red blood cells becoming a rigid sickle shaped. The sickling occurs due to a mutation in the gene for hemoglobin. The sickling decreases the flexibility of cells causing a risk of various complications.Life expectance estimated in 1994 for females was 42 and for males 48. Now a days thanks to the better management of the disease, the life expectance is into their 70s.How does it workIn a person with sickle cell disease, the bone marrow produces red blood cells that contain hemoglobin S. This leads to the complications of sickle cell disease.

TreatmentAntibioticsBone marrow translation

Bone marrow transplantPreparation: To avoid to destroy the patients own bone marrow, stem cells and infection fighting system, the patient has to take chemotherapy which are strong medicines.This is done so the patient does not reject the new blood cells coming from the donor.Transplantation takes place with blood-forming stem cells from a donor.The donor can be someone whit normal hemoglobin or sickle cell trait.The actual transplant is given like a blood transfusion. The End