Stem cells
06/13/2011 3:59 p.m.
The stem cells are special cells in multicellular organisms that are capable of differentiating in a wide range of cells as necessary.
In other words, non-specialized cells, such as blood cells, Nervous cells , and so on, but they can make specialized cells form an embryo or repair of damage to an adult organism.
This property has suggested that the stem cells could be very useful in a medical treatment, and many nations have established funds from funds from Cells mother to explore the possibility of research and development with stem cells.
All the organisms Multicelloree s actually begin as a group of stem cells.As cells are divided and multiplied, they differ so that organs, muscles, bones, and so on until an embryo is formed.Adults also have stem cells, although their exact origin is not known.These adult stem cells work in response to serious damage to replace damaged tissues.
There are three types of stem cells.Embryonic stem cells are stem cells extracted from a embryo , stem cells come from umbilical cord, which is rich in stem cells, since it is of fetal origin.Adult stem cells are also known as somatic stem cells, and are found in a variety of places around the body of an adult.The exact science and the distribution of adult stem cells remains a topic of intense research.
In order to be considered a stem cell, it must have two properties.The first is that the cell should not be specialized for specific action, but it must be able to generate specialized cells.In addition, stem cells can replicate in numerous occasions with errors, a process known as proliferation.
Stem cell research focuses on the exploration of these unique properties, and scientists hope to be able to exploit stem cells, stimulating their growth in organs for the people who need them.
Research on stem cells is subject to controversy in some parts of the world.Embryonic stem cells could only be collected by adopting an embryo until 2006, when the scientists began to prove that stem cell lines could be created without sacrificing an embryo.
Because some people feel uncomfortable with the idea of killing an embryo, this issue raises great concern in several communities.Other critics care that stem cell research can invade the scope of cloning, and many communities oppose the cloning of human beings, for a series of reasons.
Most governments have focused on the creation of clear and understandable legislation on stem cell research, hoping to take advantage of the immense stem cell potential without causing controversy.
Source: What are the stem cells
06/13/2011 3:59 p.m.
Diabetes and stem cells
According to research conducted by the University of San Pablo (Brazil) and the University of Northwestern (USA), it was checked in a limited group of patients with type 1 diabetes, which the hematopoietic stem cell autotransplant, improves the function of beta cells of the pancreas (in charge of producing insulin).
A notable improvement in insulin requirements in patients with diabetes, but thanks to a process with important complications such as stem cell transplant.
Luis Alberto
07/25/2011 2:53 p.m.