Stem Cells

Stem Cells
Stem cells are a specific type of cells found only in multi-cellular organisms. They are specially classified through their ability to renew themselves into other different cell types through cell division. The earliest records of the term were in 1908 when the term “stem cells” was proposed for scientific use by Russian scientist Alexander Maksimov. Later in the 1960s scientists Joseph Altman and Gopal Das presented scientific evidence of ongoing stem cell activity in the brain. Stem cells are very important as they serve as a repair agent of the human body. They develop to serve a specific function.
There are currently two broad types of stem cells, the embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
Embryonic
Embryonic stem cells are obtained from embryos of about four to five days old in humans. The cell count will range from approximately 50-150. These cells are able to develop organs which are derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. The ectoderm layer will develop into the skin cells, the neurons and the pigment cells. The endoderm layer develops into the lung cells, the internal layer (thyroid cells) and the pancreatic cell. The mesoderm forms the cardiac muscle cells and the skeletal muscle cells, red blood cells and kidney cells. The stem cells hence are very useful and can develop into any of the types of cells of the adult body under certain conditions and stimulations. Despite the research, no official treatments using embryonic of stem cells has been attempted till date. International Standards are questioning the use of embryonic stem cells as degrading of human rights and has yet to reach a conclusion.
Adult
The adult stem cell is classified by the three conditions: the ability to divide and create another cell like itself, divide and create a cell more differentiated than itself and originates from a fully developed organism. They can also be found in children, as well as adults. These types of stem cells are rather rare in the body but can be found in certain tissues. The potential of these types of stem cells are also different. These types of stem cells cannot develop into all types of cells, and are more commonly referred to by their broad derivatives. However, these adult stem cells are more commonly used in treatment. They are not as controversial compared to embryonic cells, and do not involve destroying an embryo- a sign of life. The stem cells are sometimes also acquired from donors and hence are more valid to be used for treatment.
Cell Stimulation
The embryonic stem cell will remain unchanged given the appropriate conditions. When cultured in suspension, they form embryonic bodies. At this stage the cells will start to develop into the derivatives of the 3 germ layers, but however this is not an efficient way of developing cells of a specific and designated function. Hence, in order to generate specific cultures of differentiated cells, the culture medium can be altered chemically, or the surface of the culture dish can be altered, or by inserting specific genes into the cells. Through time the standard protocol for different types of cell generation would be established.
Treatment
Stem cells have proved to be very useful for humanity. Stem cells are commonly given to premature babies in order repair the organs and tissues. Stem cells offer a large scope and variety of help. Some examples include the following: Wound Healing, Blindness, Deafness, Missing tooth, Brain injury and Spinal cord injury. One sole concern of treatment is that after transplant of stem cells, tumors may form and become cancerous if the division of cells is uncontrolled.


Reflection

The reason why I chose this topic was because stem cells were a very contemporary topic. Only in the recent years have we come to understand more about stem cells. This discovery is a milestone in human history as stem cells hold incredible ability to heal and save a person's life.

Stem cells being a very new research area, hence attracts my attention and I would like to inform more about stem cells about their purpose and history.

After the research I have done and the report I have written, I gained more knowledge about stem cells and have gone one step further.