The Scoop on Stem Cells

"Stem cells (center ones) can develop into any cell type. They are valuable as research tools and might, in the future, be used to treat a wide range of diseases. " (News Medical)

                                                         Credit: Judith Stoffer


Stem cells are "unspecialized" cells that have the potential and ability to become any cell in the body. A major characteristic of stem cells is their ability to multiply while maintaining the ability to become any cell in the body. However, the term stem cell is a generic term. There are many different type of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, induced pluripotent cells (iPS), and pluripotent stem cells (PS). Some stem cells, such as those in bone marrow, can divide and replace worn out tissue. Embryonic stem cells can divide without differentiation for long periods of time, and are known to develop into cells and tissue of the three primary germ layers, the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.  Adult stem cells are found in organs and many tissues with a limited ability for self renewal and differentiation. They vary in their ability for differentiation, but they are usually limited to cell types of their cell of origin. This topic is still being investigated by scientists today. Induced pluripotent cells are adult cells that are reprogrammed to enter the embryonic cell stage. They do this by being forced to express factors that are important in maintain the cells. iPSC's were first found in 2006 inside of a mouse, by Takahashi and Yamanaka, and the first human ones were found the year after, by Takahashi and Yu. iPSC's have some characteristics of embryonic stem cells, and scientists are comparing the two to find important similarities and differences.

Stem cells are valuable resources and cells in our body that can be used to solve a variety of problems, and some scientists are looking towards stem cells as the answer to serious diseases such as cancer.

Sources:
Mandal, Ananya, Dr. "What Are Stem Cells?" News-Medical.net. News Medical, 10 Jan. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.

"Frequently Asked Questions." Stem Cell Basics: Introduction [Stem Cell Information]. National Institute of Health, Mar.-Apr. 2015. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.

Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.