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Stem Cells - FAQs


Q: What Is The Use Of Human Stem Cells?

A: The body's specialized cells which are damaged or diseased cannot be replaced by natural process. Stem cells can be used to generate healthy specialized cells and can be transplanted to diseased or diseased cells to grow normally.

In cell therapy the diseased cells are replaced by healthy stem cells, which is similar to organ transplants in which the diseased organ is replaced by healthy organs. There is currently acute shortage of organ donors, stem cells can serve as a very useful alternative by regenerating the damaged organ.

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Q: What Is Myoblasts Transfer?

A: In a clinical trial in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the immature muscle cells (myoblasts) are removed from close male relatives who do not have DMD, and are transplanted directly into the boy's muscles. The transferred myoblasts regenerate the boy's damaged muscle.

Q: What Are The Problems During Storage Of Cord Blood?

A: Some stem cell banks store the whole blood samples, some banks separate the red cells, white cells and other blood components and the cells are freeze stored.

Q: What is Stem cell Homing?

A: When the healthy stem cells are transplanted into the vein of the patient, these stem cells are capable of finding their path into bone marrow, this process is called stem cell homing.

Q: Are Some Kinds Of Stem Cells Better Than Others?

A: It is desirable to have a stem cell that has the ability to form different types of cells, which can be used to replace damaged tissue. Mouse embryonic stem cells can produce any tissue required in the adult mouse. Pluripotent stem cells in the human embryos have the same property.

It is not clear whether stem cells from adult tissues or umbilical cord blood are pluripotent. The comparison of human embryonic stem cells to adult stem cells is currently a very active area in research, and one that will hopefully lead to cures for tissue degenerative diseases in the future.

Q: Is clamping of cord blood harmful to baby?

A: 

    Clamping cord blood soon after delivery will not harm the baby.> Clamping the blood is safe and reduces the risk of developing diseases (hypervolemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia). Additional blood may be required for babies who have lost blood through birth canal.

Q: Do Stem Cells Come From Aborted Fetuses?

A: Some studies have shown that embryonic germ cells isolated from early aborted fetus have limited ability to become more differentiated into different cell types, as these cells are isolated from tissues earlier to their development.

Q: Can Cord Blood Or Stem Cells Be Stored In A Bank?

A: 

    Human cord blood, neural stem cells and human embryonic stem cell banks have been established and stored in various countries. Cord blood is stored as a source of hematopoietic stem cells. Neural stem cells are stored for treatment of brain-specific diseases. Embryonic stem cells are stored for the treatment of various genetic and acquired diseases. Storing cord blood is like taking a future regenerative health policy to give the body cells a second chance if ever required.

Q: What Are The Procedures Done Before Storing Stem Cells?

A: 

    Quality control check for Chromosomal abnormalities Ability of the stem cells to withstand freeze-thawing procedures Immune compatibility of the cells with patients Virus contamination

Q: What Is Regenerative Medicine?

A: Regenerative medicine is to repair damaged organs or tissue which occurred due to disease, aging or trauma. Regeneration can be done by administering stem cells or by activating the stem cells that are already present in the tissues.

Q: How Many Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Are Available?

A: Over 100 human embryonic stem cell lines are being maintained worldwide. Most of these cell lines are not yet characterized. Only 22 cell lines are fully characterized and are eligible for research and therapy. However, this is changing rapidly.

Q: What Is Gene Imprint?

A: All sperm and eggs contain certain genes that contain an imprint identifying them later in the fertilized egg as being derived from the father or mother. These genes are called as gene imprints.

Q: What Is A Transgenic Animal?

A: 

    A transgenic animal contains a foreign gene that is inserted into its genome. The foreign gene can be constructed using Recombinant DNA technology. Transgenic sheep and goats have been developed which express foreign proteins in their milk. Transgenic chickens are able to produce human proteins in their egg.

Q: Where Can I Get More Information On Stem Cells?

A: 

    ISSCR — www.isscr.org National Institute of Health website — www.nih.gov Stem cell network in Canada: The coalition for the advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) — www.clinicaltrials.gov

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