Every day seems to bring new breakthroughs in medical technology that are sometimes difficult to understand. Much of it can seem exciting, although many are concerned about the religious and moral implications that they bring with them. The value of stem cell research facilities, and what exactly they do, can be more readily understood once it's broken down.
It begins with understanding what stem cells are. In the simplest language these cells are the roots that generate a tree full of cells that have special functions. In a laboratory it is possible to divide the root cells into offshoots called daughter cells. The daughter cells have the ability to create more cells just like them, or self-renew, or start brand new cells through differentiation, that have special functions. These might be brain cells, bone, blood, or heart muscle cells. Only the stems have the ability to generate new cell types naturally.
When researchers watch these cells grow, they start to learn the ways in which diseases develop. Regenerative medicine is the art of regenerating and replacing human cells to the place where normal function is restored. Stems have the ability to create special cells that regenerate or repair damaged or diseased tissue located anywhere in the human body.
There are a whole host of diseases, currently without a cure, that could potentially be eradicated. They include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, strokes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, cancer, and type 1 diabetes just to name a few. Stems can potentially be grown into new tissue that can be used in transplants. Researchers are working on all kinds of new applications that could be used in regenerative and transplant medicine.
Researchers are testing new drugs with the use of stems. Rather than exposing humans to testing, scientists are using these cells in order to learn how safe it is for humans to use them and how effectively they work. One test showing great promise is cardiac toxicity.
Researchers are studying how well stems, that are programmed to turn into cells specific to tissue, might be for new drug testing. To get the utmost accuracy, the cells must be programmed to mimic the types of cells the new drugs are targeting. For example, tests made on blood cells might show what kind of effect new drugs will have on them.
Scientists can draw stems from a variety of sources, one of which is particularly problematic for some groups. Embryonic cells are taken from embryos that are only a few days old. These cells are unique because they can divide into more stem cells, or any other kind of cell that is in the human body. Embryonic cells have been the focus of those raising ethical objections to this type of research.
It is possible to mimic the properties that are found in embryonic cells. Scientists have also learned how to change genes in adult cells, using genetic reprogramming, so they mimic embryonic stems. Although is it still uncertain whether the new technology will negatively affect the human body, it may be effective in preventing the body's immune system from rejecting the new cells.
It begins with understanding what stem cells are. In the simplest language these cells are the roots that generate a tree full of cells that have special functions. In a laboratory it is possible to divide the root cells into offshoots called daughter cells. The daughter cells have the ability to create more cells just like them, or self-renew, or start brand new cells through differentiation, that have special functions. These might be brain cells, bone, blood, or heart muscle cells. Only the stems have the ability to generate new cell types naturally.
When researchers watch these cells grow, they start to learn the ways in which diseases develop. Regenerative medicine is the art of regenerating and replacing human cells to the place where normal function is restored. Stems have the ability to create special cells that regenerate or repair damaged or diseased tissue located anywhere in the human body.
There are a whole host of diseases, currently without a cure, that could potentially be eradicated. They include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, strokes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, cancer, and type 1 diabetes just to name a few. Stems can potentially be grown into new tissue that can be used in transplants. Researchers are working on all kinds of new applications that could be used in regenerative and transplant medicine.
Researchers are testing new drugs with the use of stems. Rather than exposing humans to testing, scientists are using these cells in order to learn how safe it is for humans to use them and how effectively they work. One test showing great promise is cardiac toxicity.
Researchers are studying how well stems, that are programmed to turn into cells specific to tissue, might be for new drug testing. To get the utmost accuracy, the cells must be programmed to mimic the types of cells the new drugs are targeting. For example, tests made on blood cells might show what kind of effect new drugs will have on them.
Scientists can draw stems from a variety of sources, one of which is particularly problematic for some groups. Embryonic cells are taken from embryos that are only a few days old. These cells are unique because they can divide into more stem cells, or any other kind of cell that is in the human body. Embryonic cells have been the focus of those raising ethical objections to this type of research.
It is possible to mimic the properties that are found in embryonic cells. Scientists have also learned how to change genes in adult cells, using genetic reprogramming, so they mimic embryonic stems. Although is it still uncertain whether the new technology will negatively affect the human body, it may be effective in preventing the body's immune system from rejecting the new cells.
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