Questions

What is a stem cell?

Tissues are an integral and a vital part of the body. The cell is the most important element of the tissue. A stem cell can regenerate itself multiple times in multiple courses of time. It has an inherent ability to adapt and turn itself into a specialized cell in accordance to its surrounding cells. Myocite (heart cell), neuron (brain cell) and hepatocyte (liver) are prime examples of changing cells.

The responsibilities of stem cells include:

• Conceptually developing the human body
• Constant replacement of cells that expire every day. Billions of cells die in the entire course of life; it is the duty of the stem cells for regenerations.

Why are Stem Cells so important?

It can be termed as the ‘Regenesis of Medicine field’. Its ability to reconstruct and repair cells that have been injured due to accidents or diseases has reached its fame far and wide. The mayo Clinic has named it as the ‘New frontier of Medicine’.

The ability of those cells to replace the ones that are damaged is known as cellular therapy. This technique uses the ‘plasticity’ of stem cells to convert them into specialized cells. This technique is received much famed and has a no. of publications to its name.

Where are the stem cells?

Sourcing of stem cells has three sources:

• Embryonic Stem Cells: These stem cells are obtained from embryo in their initial phase. Due to this methodological attribute it has strong protests from religious and social brackets. It has great potential for medical regenerative purposes, but it destroys human embryo when procuring stem cells from it.
• Adult Stem Cells: In previous years, bone marrow transplant was successfully executed, by finding a compatible donor. Adult stem cell technique eliminates the search for compatible donors, as it is obtained from bone marrow of the patient through a complex purification procedure. Since the patient himself is the donor, it does not violate any ethical issues.
• Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: It can be termed as one of the fine bents of modern science. This is a fabulous technique of extracting stem cells from the cord and placenta, which is deposed after delivery. It has no concerns on an ethical front and it can be utilized for the same person and also for compatible family members.

Where do Stem Cells come from?

On fertilization of the spermatozoid cell and ovum, a zygote is created. Since a zygote has the potential to produce complete cells, it divides itself in totipotent identical cells and also into the cells implanted in the female uterus, Its potency is the creation of human body and if two totipotent cells exist, it creates identical twins.

How many types of stem cells are there?

We can categorize the stem cells into three divisions

• Totipotent: cells: has a compelling ability to construct a human body. Though it has its existence only for few days until the zygote gets divided into sixteen cells.
• Pluripotent: cells: or embryonic stem cells produce cells of muscular or ephithlial nature. In the blastocyst phase, it is the inner mass of the embryo.
• Multipotent: cells: can be extracted from both the umbilical cord and bonemarrow. We use Multi-potent cells for formation of specialized cells in accordance with tissue for renewal and regeneration.

What are the advantages of adult Stem Cells?

Adult Stem cells have numerous advantages. It eliminates ethical concerns as it is extracted from the patient itself. Its degree of differentiation endeavors it with significant value, as it allows specialists to separate them and direct them at the affected area when compared to embryonic cells. There has been enough scientific evidence to effectuate the success of adult stem cell for therapeutic reasons.

What diseases can benefit with the use of Stem Cells?

The following list of diseases is being treated by the stem cell therapy:

• Nervous system (this is the field where we have time and again delivered excellent reasons) in cerebral infarct (cortical), Parkinson disease, Multiple sclerosis and brain hypoxia.
• Myocardial infarction: Cardiac tissue regeneration by stem cells injection either in coronary arteries or directly into the infarcted cardiac muscle.
• Atherosclerotic ischemic disease of the legs
• Diabetes mellitus type 2
• Regeneration of liver and renal tissues