Stem cells

• What is pluripotent 


  able to differentiate into any type of cell
• What are the sources of stem cells?

  • embryos - embryonic stem cells
  • bone marrow - adult stem cells
  • umbilical cord blood
  • induced pluripotent stem cells developed in labs by reprogramming differentiated cells to switch on certain key genes
• How are stem cells used in medicine and research?

  • Bone marrow transplants
  • Drug research
  • Developmental biology
  • Repair of damaged tissues or replacements of lost tisuse
• What are bone marrow transplants used for?


  Treating blood and immune system diseases

  Restore patients blood system after treatment for types of cancer
• How are stems cells used in drug research?


  New drugs can be tested on the stem cells before animals
• how are stem cells used in developmental biology?

  • Better understanding of how multicellular organisms develop grow and mature
  • Study how cells develop
  • Trying to find out if they can extend the capacity embryos have for growth and tissue repair
• How do stem cells help repair damaged tissues or replacement of lost tissues?


  • Bone marrow develop liver cells to treat liver disease
  • directed into nerve tissue to treat Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease or repair spinal cord injuries
  • Regenerative medicine - make organs
  • Treat arthritis, strokes, burns, vision, hearing loss
• 4 key characteristics of stem cells

  • Undifferentiated cells capable of becoming any type of cell
  • described as pluripotent
  • Able to express all genes
  • Can divide by mitosis and provide more cells that then differentiate into specialised cells for growth and tissue repair