Question

- What is the relationship between stem cells and drug discoveries?

- What are iPS cells?

- Why is it important to have genetically different stem cells?

Answer 1

1. Stem cells are a type of cells which can be differentiated into different types of cells of our body. Hence when a stem cell don't react to a type of drug in negative way ( any kind of toxicity) than the organism develop will also have no toxicity effect from that drug. And the drug should be used or not can be tested by using the stem cells.

2. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are the cells derived from skin or blood cells. These cells can again be reprogrammed to the embryonic pluripotent cells, so that we can use these cells to generate any kind of body cells.

3. Genetic difference is the basis for having different organisms with different characteristics. So, when a drug is tested with stem cells which are genetically different and shows no toxicity against any kind of stem cell, than we can use that drug as an efficient one. If the drug has positive effect for some type of stem cells and also have toxic or negative effect on other types of stem cells, than those drugs can't be used for the society or for marketing.