Stem Cell OverviewPresented by Mohammed El Majdoubi, Ph.D.

Slides courtesy of NICHD Grant for Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproductive Research (SCCPRR)

University of Kansas Medical Center, Center for Reproductive Sciences

Stem Cells• Unspecialized cells

• Give rise to more than 250 specialized cells in the body

• Serve as the body’s repair system– Renew itself– Replenish other cells

• Adult & Embryonic Stem Cells…

Sources of Adult Stem Cells

Mature Stem Cells typically develop into the cell types of the tissue or organ from which they originate

• Isolated immediately following birth

• More flexibility

• Research is limited but growing

Umbilical Cord & Placenta

Treatment Example

Advantages of Adult Stem Cells

• Mature Stem Cells• Partly specialized• Less coaxing in culture required to

stimulate growth of specific cell types• Some are easy to find

(e.g., blood stem cells)• Organ/tissue rejection unlikely if

patient receives own stem cells

Disadvantages of Adult Stem Cells

• Limited longevity in cell culture • Difficult to isolate and extract• Limited flexibility or types of cells that

can be made• Uncommon cells; more scarce with

age• Questionable quality due to age,

toxins, and disease

Embryonic Stem Cells

5 days ofdevelopment

Sources of Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem Cells from Skin Cells

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

How Would SCNT Treat Disease?

Characteristics of Embryonic Stem Cells

• Easy to grow in cell culture • Can be maintained for long periods

of time in cell culture• Very flexible – can make all body

cell types• Potential unlimited source of all

types of clinically relevant cells

In Vitro Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Culture

Neurons from Embryonic Stem Cells in Culture

Neuroendocrine Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells

Cardiac Cells From Embryonic Stem Cells

• Joyce Valencia

• Angela Giertych

• Eric Hinderleider

• Chris Heiser

• Peter Hoang