Stem cells are being used mainly in medicine and in science for research. Human stem cells have a powerful source of cells. Stem cells can provide model systems for understanding the mechanisms of a wide variety of diseases and injury recuperation. Stem cells are used as basic tools for researchers to apply to help solve many kinds of problems in both biology and medicine. Stem cells are being used and going to be further used in drug testing and discoveries. Stem cells are being used in the reparation of bone marrow, replenish breast tissue for women, and to reattach teeth. [N/A*, 2008]1
A recent study showed that stem cells from fat could help repair bone damage. The study is financed or supported by the United States Army, hoping it will benefit both the public and the army itself. “The method researchers are using involves the use of a material that has a gel-like consistency. This particular material then coaxes stem cells extracted from fat to regenerate bone that has been damaged.” The stem cells initiate or activate the body’s healing system. The stem cells work in a way to stimulate a certain blood vessel that is found in the bone that is in the developing stages. So, the bone repairs itself, with the help of the stem cells. By stimulating cells from a person’s fat to redevelop the damaged bone, the person can have better form and functioning. [Ian Murnaghan, 27 August 2012]2
A key stem cell involves breast tissue and development and they are called mammary stem cells. Throughout a women’s monthly cycle, the stem cells replenish the women’s breast tissue. Also when a woman goes through pregnancy or breast-feeding, the stem cells play a crucial role in the growth of the woman’s breast tissue. A chronic exposure to hormones increases a woman’s chance to have breast cancer, therefore the more menstrual cycles a woman has the greater the risk of having breast cancer. Because of the exposure of too many hormones (the hormones: progesterone and oestrogen) the stem cells respond with growth; while when the two hormones are gotten rid of the stem cells decrease. So, if stem cells grow quickly there might be a chance of uncontrolled cell growing, and that is the reason why a menstrual cycle may cause a greater chance of having breast cancer. [Ian Murnaghan, 1 October 2012]3
Some recent studies show that dentists might be able to re-attach a tooth with stem cells. The major reason of tooth loss is gum infection. Scientists did a study on mice molars. They took the stem cells out of a specific ligament of their molars, treated the stem cells and put the tooth in the barren molar, which eventually stuck back into the empty space. Researchers discovered the around a tooth were fibers called cementum, which is another part of tooth connection. When these stem cells were not applied to the reattachment of the tooth, it would not work. The tooth attaches when the stem cells are applied because the stem cells attach to the bone. The researchers found this visible after two months that the tooth was applied. [Ian Murnaghan, 30 September 2012]4
One of the latest uses for stem cells is in research. Scientists have explores that even though, stem cells have identical DNA, sister stem cells can present significant differences in their molecular characteristics. This displays that DNA methylation, a process that controls which genes are in cells, plays an significant position in producing non-genetic differences between sister cells [N/A, 26 Sep 2013 -9:00 PDT] 1. Using this new research, scientist can conclude that this may be a possible reason for key molecular variation between different cancer cells in the same tumor, making tumors harder to treat [N/A, 26 Sep 2013 -9h00 PDT] 1. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have developed high-tech methods to separate and isolate mouse stem cells. Results showed that DNA methylation is a major cause of the diversity between sister cells when they divide and therefore causing complexity in tumors making it harder to treat them. One of the biggest challenges of cancer, is to keep up with the constant change and mutation; using stem cells, we now know what is one probable reason. Stem cells are being used to treat diseases like leukemia using a bone marrow transplant (this is one of the only common uses for stem cells because of controversy)[Clay Risen, 01.03.2013- 10:00 am]3. A sample of bone marrow, which has stem cells, is injected into a matching person (people have to find specific matches so the body doesn’t reject the injection). The new stem cells should repopulate the bone marrow and start making new, healthy blood cells [N/A, March 9, 3013]2.
Sources: 1. "Study of 'sister' Stem Cells Uncovers New Cancer Clue." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
2. "Stem Cells Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Why Is There Controversy Surrounding the Use of Stem Cells? - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
Scientists have found a new technique for examining individual stem cells to uncover differences in the gene expression levels (genes are turned up or down) between identical sister pairs. The research, published in Stem Cell Reports, was conducted and funded by The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It provides newest evidence that despite having an identical DNA, sister stem cells can display differences in their molecular characteristics. DNA methylation could be one of the reasons for the major molecular variations between different cancer cells in the same tumour and drugs to reduce methylation might help control variation and make cancer easier to treat (DNA methylation, a process controlling genes expressed in cells plays an important role in generating non genetic differences between sister cells). In the new research, scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) developed a novel micro-dissection technique to separate pairs of sister embryonic stem cells for single cell RNA analysis. Using new high tech method, researchers separated and isolated mouse stem cells from their sister pairs and measured the behavior of key gens known to be expressed in those cells. By comparing which of these genes were up - or down - regulated, they determined the levels of similarity between sister cells at the molecular level for the first time. They found that under normal conditions, pairs of sister stem cells displayed considerable differences to each other, showing much diversity as two cells from different sister pairs.(1)
Sources: 1. Study of 'sister' stem cells uncovers new cancer clue Article Date: 26 Sep 2013 - 9:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/266579.php
Stem cells are being used to test new medicine, this might as well help treat diseases and injuries. Embryonic stem cells produce specialized cells in the body, which means that stem cells have the possibility to increase research on diseases effectively, as well as providing new therapies. “Recently, human ESCs that meet the strict requirements for use in patients have been produced” (Embryonic Stem Cells, 2012) The stem cells have already been put to use in several projects, for example the London Project to Cure Blindness, which mainly consists of producing a type of eye cell to treat patients with age-related macular degeneration. Another company, the Biotechnology Company ACT is also using human embryonic stem cells for patients with Stargardtt’s macular dystrophy, another malfunctioning in the eye. Something that should be taken into consideration about testing drugs with stem cells is: “to screen drugs effectively, the conditions must be identical when comparing different drugs” (N/A, 2009), to do this, scientist would have to control the diversity of stem cells in the type of cell where the medicine is being tested. The use of stem cells for cardiovascular disease (which is the main cause of death in the United States) is an active area of research. Stem cells are usually used in open-heart surgeries for small research and studies.
Stem cells are being used mainly in medicine and in science for research. Human stem cells have a powerful source of cells. Stem cells can provide model systems for understanding the mechanisms of a wide variety of diseases and injury recuperation. Stem cells are used as basic tools for researchers to apply to help solve many kinds of problems in both biology and medicine. Stem cells are being used and going to be further used in drug testing and discoveries. Stem cells are being used in the reparation of bone marrow, replenish breast tissue for women, and to reattach teeth. [N/A*, 2008]1
ReplyDeleteA recent study showed that stem cells from fat could help repair bone damage. The study is financed or supported by the United States Army, hoping it will benefit both the public and the army itself. “The method researchers are using involves the use of a material that has a gel-like consistency. This particular material then coaxes stem cells extracted from fat to regenerate bone that has been damaged.” The stem cells initiate or activate the body’s healing system. The stem cells work in a way to stimulate a certain blood vessel that is found in the bone that is in the developing stages. So, the bone repairs itself, with the help of the stem cells. By stimulating cells from a person’s fat to redevelop the damaged bone, the person can have better form and functioning. [Ian Murnaghan, 27 August 2012]2
A key stem cell involves breast tissue and development and they are called mammary stem cells. Throughout a women’s monthly cycle, the stem cells replenish the women’s breast tissue. Also when a woman goes through pregnancy or breast-feeding, the stem cells play a crucial role in the growth of the woman’s breast tissue. A chronic exposure to hormones increases a woman’s chance to have breast cancer, therefore the more menstrual cycles a woman has the greater the risk of having breast cancer. Because of the exposure of too many hormones (the hormones: progesterone and oestrogen) the stem cells respond with growth; while when the two hormones are gotten rid of the stem cells decrease. So, if stem cells grow quickly there might be a chance of uncontrolled cell growing, and that is the reason why a menstrual cycle may cause a greater chance of having breast cancer. [Ian Murnaghan, 1 October 2012]3
Some recent studies show that dentists might be able to re-attach a tooth with stem cells. The major reason of tooth loss is gum infection. Scientists did a study on mice molars. They took the stem cells out of a specific ligament of their molars, treated the stem cells and put the tooth in the barren molar, which eventually stuck back into the empty space. Researchers discovered the around a tooth were fibers called cementum, which is another part of tooth connection. When these stem cells were not applied to the reattachment of the tooth, it would not work. The tooth attaches when the stem cells are applied because the stem cells attach to the bone. The researchers found this visible after two months that the tooth was applied. [Ian Murnaghan, 30 September 2012]4
Sources:
1. http://www.stemcellresources.org/pdf/uw_how.pdf
2. http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/bone-repair-with-stem-cells.html
3. http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/breast-tissue-stem-cells.html
4. http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/stem-cells-re-attach-teeth.html
*Directors: Timothy Kamp, M.D.
Clive Svendsen, Ph.D.
Administrator: Rupa Shevde, D.M.Sc.
Program: Sue Gilbert
Outreach: Jordana Lenon
One of the latest uses for stem cells is in research. Scientists have explores that even though, stem cells have identical DNA, sister stem cells can present significant differences in their molecular characteristics. This displays that DNA methylation, a process that controls which genes are in cells, plays an significant position in producing non-genetic differences between sister cells [N/A, 26 Sep 2013 -9:00 PDT] 1. Using this new research, scientist can conclude that this may be a possible reason for key molecular variation between different cancer cells in the same tumor, making tumors harder to treat [N/A, 26 Sep 2013 -9h00 PDT] 1. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have developed high-tech methods to separate and isolate mouse stem cells. Results showed that DNA methylation is a major cause of the diversity between sister cells when they divide and therefore causing complexity in tumors making it harder to treat them. One of the biggest challenges of cancer, is to keep up with the constant change and mutation; using stem cells, we now know what is one probable reason.
ReplyDeleteStem cells are being used to treat diseases like leukemia using a bone marrow transplant (this is one of the only common uses for stem cells because of controversy)[Clay Risen, 01.03.2013- 10:00 am]3. A sample of bone marrow, which has stem cells, is injected into a matching person (people have to find specific matches so the body doesn’t reject the injection). The new stem cells should repopulate the bone marrow and start making new, healthy blood cells [N/A, March 9, 3013]2.
Sources:
1. "Study of 'sister' Stem Cells Uncovers New Cancer Clue." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
2. "Stem Cells Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Why Is There Controversy Surrounding the Use of Stem Cells? - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
3. "2013 Prediction: Stem Cells Sidestep Controversy." Popular Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
Scientists have found a new technique for examining individual stem cells to uncover differences in the gene expression levels (genes are turned up or down) between identical sister pairs. The research, published in Stem Cell Reports, was conducted and funded by The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It provides newest evidence that despite having an identical DNA, sister stem cells can display differences in their molecular characteristics. DNA methylation could be one of the reasons for the major molecular variations between different cancer cells in the same tumour and drugs to reduce methylation might help control variation and make cancer easier to treat (DNA methylation, a process controlling genes expressed in cells plays an important role in generating non genetic differences between sister cells). In the new research, scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) developed a novel micro-dissection technique to separate pairs of sister embryonic stem cells for single cell RNA analysis. Using new high tech method, researchers separated and isolated mouse stem cells from their sister pairs and measured the behavior of key gens known to be expressed in those cells. By comparing which of these genes were up - or down - regulated, they determined the levels of similarity between sister cells at the molecular level for the first time. They found that under normal conditions, pairs of sister stem cells displayed considerable differences to each other, showing much diversity as two cells from different sister pairs.(1)
ReplyDeleteSources:
1. Study of 'sister' stem cells uncovers new cancer clue Article Date: 26 Sep 2013 - 9:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/266579.php
Stem cells are being used to test new medicine, this might as well help treat diseases and injuries. Embryonic stem cells produce specialized cells in the body, which means that stem cells have the possibility to increase research on diseases effectively, as well as providing new therapies. “Recently, human ESCs that meet the strict requirements for use in patients have been produced” (Embryonic Stem Cells, 2012) The stem cells have already been put to use in several projects, for example the London Project to Cure Blindness, which mainly consists of producing a type of eye cell to treat patients with age-related macular degeneration. Another company, the Biotechnology Company ACT is also using human embryonic stem cells for patients with Stargardtt’s macular dystrophy, another malfunctioning in the eye. Something that should be taken into consideration about testing drugs with stem cells is: “to screen drugs effectively, the conditions must be identical when comparing different drugs” (N/A, 2009), to do this, scientist would have to control the diversity of stem cells in the type of cell where the medicine is being tested. The use of stem cells for cardiovascular disease (which is the main cause of death in the United States) is an active area of research. Stem cells are usually used in open-heart surgeries for small research and studies.
ReplyDeleteSources:
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics6.aspx
http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/stem-cell-research-therapy-types-stem-cells-and-their-current-uses
http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/modern-treatments/stem-cells-used-in-medicine.htm