How Stem cells help us with disease

Stem Cells
Stem cells are found in most multi-cellular organisms. Stem cells are capable of splitting under the process of mitosis. This allows the cells to reinvigorate and can go from a non specialized cell type to a specialized cell. Stem cells were first researched by Canadian Scientist Ernest McCulloch and James Till in the 1960s. The two main types of stem cells are embryonic cells which are developed in the early embryogenesis, and adult stem cells found in adult tissues. Embryonic stem cells are able to differentiate into all specialized cells for the body. Adult stem cells on the other hand are only able to act as a repair system for already specialized cells. Using the process of cell culture scientists are able to grow stem cells for medical use. Muscles and nerves are able to be repaired or grown using the techniques involving stem cells. In the medical field advancements using umbilical cord blood or bone marrow may show to be promising applicants for further testing. Stem cells must include two main properties to be declared an actual stem cell. The cell must be able to self-renew. Several cycles of cell division must be able to be completed and the cell must maintain its undifferentiated state. The second property deals with its potency. This involves the cells ability to differentiate into specialized cell types. The use of stem cells in conjunction with other medical practices may prove to be potential gainful in the treatment for some human diseases. One of the most known stem cell treatments is used to treat Leukemia. Bone marrow transplants allow this to be possible. Scientists soon hope to be able to broaden the realm of diseases able to be treated by stem cells. Such diseases as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries are just a few diseases that are being researches on in regards to using stem cells for treatment. Adult human stem cells have been used to test new drugs. New medications can be tested for safety on differentiated cells. Although many advances have been made in the usage of stem cells many much more research still needs to be done. Scientists still are studying exactly how undifferentiated stem cells turn into differentiated cells. Studies have shown that new technology allows doctors to turn genes on and off. But scientists still are not completely sure what factors make these genes turn off and on. Another use for stem cells is the generation of cells that could be used for cell–based therapies. This treatment introduces stem cells to differentiated cells that will either damaged or destroyed cells or tissues. More advancements are still to come as technology advances. We can only imagine what can happen as we grow to further the quest for the best procedures to cure human ailments.