1 / 13

Exploring Stem Cells: A Gateway to Regenerative Medicine

Delve into the realm of stem cells, from their unique properties to their role in regenerative biology. Unravel the controversy, advantages, and applications of embryonic and adult stem cells. Discover the potential of stem cell therapy in treating various diseases and the ethical considerations surrounding their use.

jdefrancisco
Download Presentation

Exploring Stem Cells: A Gateway to Regenerative Medicine

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Stem Cells HHMI Outreach Program Description: A colony of embryonic stem cells. 10X. Image in the Public Domain. Description: (A) Human ESCs; (B) Neurons derived from Human ESCs. Images courtesy of Nissim Benvenisty.

  2. Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology Major Topics for Discussion: What are Stem Cells? What are the major types of Stem Cells and where are they found? Advantages & Disadvantages to ESCs and ASCs Why are Stem Cells so very important? The Controversy over Stem Cells?

  3. What are Stem Cells? Stem Cells are extraordinary because: They can divide and make identical copies of themselves over and over again through mitotic cell division (Self-Renewal) They have the potential to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types (Potency)

  4. The Major Types of Stem Cells • Embryonic Stem Cells • From blastocysts left over from In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the laboratory • From aborted fetuses • B.Adult Stem Cells • Stem cells have been found in the blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, cornea, dental pulp, umbilical cord, brain, skin, muscle, salivary gland . . . • Function: repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells, but also maintaining the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues.

  5. Potency Definitions • Totipotent cells can differentiate into embryonic and extraembryonic cell types • stem cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cell. Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg are also totipotent. • Pluripotent stem cells that are the descendants of totipotent cells and can differentiate into each of the more than 200 cell types of the adult body • can develop when given sufficient and necessary stimulation for a specific cell type. They do not contribute to the extra-embryonic membranes or the placenta.

  6. Potency Definitions • Multipotent stem cells can produce only cells of a closely related family of cells • (e.g. hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc.). • Unipotent cells can produce only one cell type, but have the property of self-renewal which distinguishes them from non-stem cells • (e.g. muscle stem cells).

  7. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Stem_cells_diagram.pnghttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Stem_cells_diagram.png

  8. Advantages and Disadvantages to Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells.

  9. Reprinted with permission of Do No Harm. Click on image for link to website.

  10. Why is Stem Cell Research So Important to All of Us? • Stem cells allow us to study how organisms grow and develop over time. • Stem cells can replace diseased or damaged cells that can not heal or renew themselves. • We can test different substances (drugs and chemicals) on stem cells. • We can get a better understanding of our “genetic machinery.”

  11. Reprinted with permission from the Univ. of Kansas Medical Center. Click on image for link to originating website.

  12. What Human Diseases are Currently Experimentally Being Treated with Stem Cells? • Parkinson’s Disease • Leukemia (Bone Marrow Transplants) • Skin Grafts resulting from severe burns Stem Cell Therapy has the Potential to: • Regenerate tissues/organs • Cure diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.

  13. Why the Controversy Over Stem cells? • Embryonic Stem cells are derived from extra blastocysts that would otherwise be discarded following IVF. • Extracting stem cells destroys the developing blastocyst (embryo). -Questions for Consideration- Is an embryo a person? Is it morally acceptable to use embryos for research? When do we become “human beings?” For further information: http://bioethics.gov/cgi-bin/bioeth-counter

More Related