DifferentiationResearch into stem cells therapeutic value

•      Differentiation of Stem Cells-

  1. Cellular differentiation is the process by which a cell expresses certain genes to produce proteins characteristic for that cell type
  2. This allows a cell to carry out specialised functions
  3. There are embryonic and tissue stem cells
  4. Stem cells are undifferentiated/unspecialised cells
  5. Capable of cell division/mitosis
  6. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into all cell types that make up an individual.
  7. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent
•  Differentiation of Stem Cells-

  8. All the genes in embryonic stem cells can be switched on so these

  cells can differentiate into any type of cell.Tissue stem cells are

  involved in growth and repair and renewal of cells

  9. Tissue stem cells are multipotent.

  10. They can differentiate into all of the types of cell found in a

  particular tissue type.

  11. Once differentiated cells only express genes characteristic of that

  cell type

  12. Example e.g. blood stem cells in bone marrow give rise to red

  blood cells, platelets, phagocytes and lymphocytes
• Research into stem cells and their therapeutic value

  1. Stem cell can be used as model cells  to for scientists to study cellular processes, how diseases develop or for drug testing.
  2. Stem cells can be used to repair damaged or diseased organs or tissues
  3.  e.g. corneal repair/ regeneration of damaged skin
  4. Stem cell research provides information on how cell processes such as cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation work.