What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are unspecialized cells of the body with the potential of self-renewal and differentiation. Our body starts with totipotent cells, growing up to three layers (endo, ecto, and mesoderm) having pluripotent stem cells. As an adult, the body has reserves of multipotent and unipotent stem cells.
Why Are Stem Cells Getting Attention?
- Increased understanding of diseases by studying stem cells and their maturation.
- Stem cells can be programmed to differentiate into specific cells for tissue-specific regeneration.
- Many patients with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis, autism, etc. have seen improvements with stem cell therapy approaches.
- Stem cells have the potential to grow tissues for transplants in regenerative medicine.
- Drug safety testing research can use stem cells in 3D culture models.
