Types of Stem Cells
Stem cells can be used in different kinds of ways, such as for research purposes or for treating patients. Stem cells are found to have the ability to differentiate into any specialized cell types. These stem cells can be the key to the future of the medical community, because they have the ability to repair damaged tissues and organs. Researchers are still continuing to figure out the hidden characteristics of stem cells to allow them to understand and discover the different ways that they can control stem cells to become specialized types of cells.
There are many different kinds of stem cells and each of them has a particular function, as well as a particular place on where to be derived from. In addition, these stem cells all have their pros and cons. Some of the types of stem cells can be used for only research purposes, while others can be used for both research purposes and treatment use.
Adult Stem Cells: These stem cells are tissue-specific, whereas they are located in a particular tissue in the body and they can only differentiate into that particular tissue. For example, stem cells found in the bone marrow can only help regulate the blood system in the body. The stem cells found in the bone marrow cannot differentiate for the use of healing burns and scars.
Fetal Stem Cells: These stem cells are taken from a fetus. It is also tissue-specific like adult stem cells, where they can only produce that specific tissue or ogans from where they are found.
Cord Blood Stem Cells: These stem cells are taken from the umbilical cord of a new born baby. These type of stem cells are commonly used in treating the regulation of the blood system right after a cancer treatment. In addition, it can also be used for a more successful recovery from a bone marrow transplant.
Embryonic Stem Cells: These type of stem cells are from embryos, which can actually differentiate into different cell types in the body. However, using this type of stem cell is quite risky, because they have the potential risk of turning cancerous after the transplantation. By using a mature embryonic stem cells, we can lessen the risk of the cells turning cancerous and increase the chance of the procedure being successful. Yet, embryonic stem cells are still not used by the medical community for treatments.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: These cells are manipulated to show the genes that are produced in the embryonic stem cells. This then allows them to control how the cell can function. Induced pluripotent stem cells has the ability to become any kinds of cell without any limitation and specificity. However, sometimes they might not be completely identical. In addition, this type of stem cells are most commonly used for research, because it can provide them a way to produce a disease-specific cell line. The production of the induce pluripotent stem cells are risky and dangerous because they need to be carefully produced to ensure of the safety of the people, as well as the effectiveness of the therapies.
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Published on Feb 21, 2012
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Very informative!