![]() ![]() Do iPS cells eliminate the need for embryonic stem cells? Scientists are currently exploring whether they differ in clinically significant ways. This process is often called 'reprogramming.' While iPS cells and embryonic stem cells share many characteristics they are not identical. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are cells that began as normal adult cells (for example, a skin cell) and were engineered (‘induced’) by scientists to become pluripotent, that is, able to form all cell types of the body. In addition, studies with a limited number of patients have demonstrated the clinical potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of other human diseases that include diabetes and advanced kidney cancer. And this research has resulted in treatment of patients for example, bone marrow (stem cell) transplants have been conducted for over 40 years. In contrast, research with adult stem cells such as blood-forming stem cells in bone marrow (called hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs) has been active for over decades. In late January 2009, the California-based company Geron received FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin developed a technique to isolate and grow the cells. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research only began in 1998, when a group led by Dr. At this point, the promise is huge, but hESC research is still in its early stages. Have human embryonic stem cells been used successfully to treat any human diseases yet? Because each cell line has its own distinct genetic footprint, researchers are often interested in using the same cell line for a number of related experiments. Once established, a cell line can be grown in the laboratory indefinitely and cells may be frozen for later use or distributed to other researchers. Why do scientists want to use stem cell lines? Because stem cells can self-replicate, just a few hESCs can give rise to a whole population of identical hESCs, or a cell line. This is a culture of hESCs derived from a single embryo. What is a human embryonic stem cell line? The blastocyst is a hollow microscopic cluster of several hundred undifferentiated cells. Where do human embryonic stem cells come from?Įmbryonic stem cells are isolated from 3 to 5 day old human embryos at the blastocyst stage. The hope is that hESCs can be used to derive every type of adult stem cell in the body and allow research that is currently not possible. ![]() But stem cells for solid organs such as liver or brain have proven more difficult to identify and derive. ![]() Hematopoietic (blood) stem cells are readily available via bone marrow aspiration. But, to date, the isolation of many types of adult stem cells has been limited. Why not use adult stem cells instead of using human embryonic stem cells in research?Īdult stem cells are thought to exist in every type of tissue in the body. For example, adult blood stem cells give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Adult stem cells are found in mature tissues (bone marrow, skin, brain, etc.) and give rise to other cell types from their tissue or origin (they are multipotent). What are the differences between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells?Īdult and embryonic stem cells differ in the type of cells that they can develop into embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body (they are pluripotent). Pluripotent stem cells offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and possibly tissues to treat a myriad of diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |