In: Biology
What is a stem cell? what is it used for? What happens when these cells are harvested ?
Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specific functional cells, or tissues and divide to produce more stem cells (self-renewal). Stem cells are classified into various types based on their ability to undergo differentiation into different cell types, the major ones are embryonic and adult stem cells. Stem cell therapy is expected to provide the solution in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions where organ regeneration or transplantation is needed.
Upon harvestation, they undergo self-renewal and differentiation:
•Self- renewal: These unspecialized cells are capable of renewing themselves through cell division for long periods, while maintaining the undifferentiated state.
•Differentiation: Under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions.