Stem Cells – Master Cells of Human Body

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By- Varda Agrawal

Nowadays, whenever one visits a gynecologist clinic, for any reason, may it be a pregnancy or a general health issues, one thing which can be observed for sure is display banners for stem cell banking.

stem cell

 

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It won’t be wrong to say, that whenever most of us visited the gynecologist, during our pregnancy, we were approached by the people, to give us the information regarding stem cell banking, & things related to it. But were we in right situation to understand anything in a very short discussion.

Well I wasn’t… owing to all the discomforts one gets during pregnancy… swelling, nausea, dizziness…

So this article is for all my friends, who are expecting soon or are planning for baby or may be thinking of a second child… so that you will have all the information beforehand.

What are Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. Stem cells are the master cells of the human body. It has capacity to develop into more than 200 types of cells present in the human body.

How Can The Stem Cell Be Obtained

The stem cells can be obtained from various sources mentioned below.

  • Embryonic Stem cells

Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro—in an in vitro fertilization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body.

  • Adipose Tissue

These are derived from adipose tissue (lipid cells) with the help of liposuction.

  • Bone Marrow

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are defined as self-renewing and multipotent cells capable of differentiating into multiple cell types. MSCs were originally isolated from the bone marrow stroma but they have recently been identified also in other tissues, such as fat, epidermis, and cord blood. Several methods have been used for MSC isolation. The most common method is based on the ability of the MSCs to selectively adhere to plastic surfaces.

  • Dental Pulp

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are stem cells present in the dental pulp, the soft living tissue within teeth. They have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Other sources of dental stem cells are the dental follicle and the developed periodontal ligament.

  • Cord Blood

Cord blood comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and can be collected immediately after birth. It contains powerful stem cells that have been used to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems. So far, cord blood stem cells have been used in more than 35,000 transplants worldwide.

Doctors are also researching cord blood as potential treatment for conditions that currently have no cure.

Keep Reading!! & Happy Parenting!!

 

About Varda Agrawal

Varda is a home maker and jewellery designer who lives in Bhopal. She loves blogging and sharing her sweet moments on the blog. She has completed her education in Pharmacy.
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