A Brief History of Stem Cell Research
What are Stem Cells? And why are they useful?
"Stem Cells" are undifferentiated cells of the human body that have the potential to multiply indefinitely or mature into any cell type. These properties make stem cells of huge interest to biomedical research, as they have the potential to alleviate tissue damage and replace diseased cell populations in sick or injured organs. Research into these cells is currently paving the way towards a cure for neurodegenerative disorders, muscular dystrophy, congenital heart defects, and possibly even cancers.
Over the past twenty years, researchers have encountered serious roadblocks on the way to developing advanced stem cell therapies with cells harvested from human embryos in the form of restrictive legislation and risks of transplant immune rejection. In the face of these difficulties, research has pivoted towards the derivation and use of induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. These cells are formed as a result of the "reprogramming" of mature cells taken from an adult individual back into their undifferentiated stem form.
As biochemical methods of in vivo cellular reprogramming improve, stem cell therapy becomes a serious possibility for the future of personalized, regenerative medicine.
Over the past twenty years, researchers have encountered serious roadblocks on the way to developing advanced stem cell therapies with cells harvested from human embryos in the form of restrictive legislation and risks of transplant immune rejection. In the face of these difficulties, research has pivoted towards the derivation and use of induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. These cells are formed as a result of the "reprogramming" of mature cells taken from an adult individual back into their undifferentiated stem form.
As biochemical methods of in vivo cellular reprogramming improve, stem cell therapy becomes a serious possibility for the future of personalized, regenerative medicine.