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Undifferentiated cells that do not yet have a specific function (unspecialized) The foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body

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Stem cells are unspecialized cells having two important characteristics: Ability to differentiate
potential to develop into other cell types (specialized cells)

Self-regeneration
Ability to divide and produce more SCs

All cells in the body stem from this type of cell.

Based on PLASTICITY Plasticity the potential to develop into different cell types Totipotent Pluripotent Multipotent TOTIPOTENT > PLURIPOTENT > MULTIPOTENT

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Depending on the SOURCE Embryonic

Early embryonic Blastocyst embryonic Fetal Amniotic

Adult
Umbilical Cord Bone marrow, brain, heart, dental pulp, spinal cord, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin and digestive epithelium, cornea, retina, liver, and pancreas

Early embryo SCs (before blastocyst stage) Newly fertilized egg produces a group of stem cells called an embryo. These early stem cells are totipotent. Blastocyst embryo SCs Seven days after fertilization, embryo forms a hollow ball-like structure called a blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells in the blastocyst are pluripotent. Fetus SCs The embryo is referred to as a fetus after 8 weeks of development. Fetal stem cells are pluripotent.

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Amniotic SCs The amniotic fluid provides nourishment and protection to the fetus. Amniotic stem cells are multipotent. Umbilical cord SCs Blood from the umbilical cord contains stem cells genetically identical to the newborn child. Umbilical cord stem cells are multipotent Adult SCs Infants and children also have them. Function in homeostasis and tissue repair. Adult stem cells are multipotent.

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/stemcell-biology/ipsc.html

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http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics4.asp

http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/2001report/chapter3.asp http://njms.umdnj.edu/gsbs/stemcell/stem_cell_illus tration.htm

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http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7180/full/451858a.html

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SCs derived from differentiated (specialized) cells "reprogrammed" genetically to assume a stem cell-like state
Introduction of embryogenic genes

Have very similar characteristics to embryonic SCs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7101834.stm

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720115252.htm

No need for human embryos More simple Controlled Personalized treatments

Minimizes the risk of rejection

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Research
Understanding cell differentiation, organism development and cancer

Pharmaceutical
Drug discovery and development

Medicine
Cell-based therapy: cell or tissue replacement to treat diseases

Hematopoietic (blood-forming) cell transplant

SCs derived from peripheral blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood Have been used to treat blood cancers and other blood disorders, anemia, SCID and other immune system disorders

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http://www.biologyjunction.com/stemcell_article.htm

Cells derived from human ESCs

Research is still in its early stage May pose safety issues (problem with immune rejection) Clinical trials have just started:
Restoration of spinal cord function (Geron, 2010) Treatment of Stargardts Macular Dystrophy (ACT, 2010) and age-related macular degeneration (ACT, 2011)

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Any disease in which there is tissue degeneration can be a potential candidate for stem cell therapies. Parkinson's disease Alzheimer's disease Spinal cord injury Stroke Cancer Visual and hearing loss Burns Heart disease Diabetes Arthritis Muscular dystrophy

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051012084443.htm

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