Stem CellPresentation by Rachel Moore, Caitlin England, Tyler Vlaiku, & Spencer Rohr

ACTUAL DEFINITION - An undifferentiated cell of a multicellular

organism that is capable of giving rise to

indefinitely more cells of the same type, and from

which certain other kinds of cell arise by

differentiation.

This is one type of stem cell.

What is a Stem Cell

About Stem Cells

● Stem cells can do more than one function, they can become different types of cells. For example blood cells, brain cells, tissue cells, or muscle cells.

● Stems cell research is understood to be the central topic of one of the biggest controversies in recent history.

● Stem cells are grown in tests and investigated to understand the fundamental properties of the cells as well as their capabilities.

● There are three types of stem cells.● Adult stem cells (ASC)● Embryonic stem cells (ESC) ● Induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPS)

-Embryonic SC -Adult SC-Induced Pluripotent SC

In the mid 1800’s scientists realized that stems cells were basically the building blocks of life and they were capable of producing and forming other adult cells. They then began to make attempts to mammalian fertilise eggs outside of the human body in the 1900’s. That is when they discovered stem cells create blood cells, which led them to muscle cells and in 1968 the first bone marrow was successfully performed to treat two siblings it severe combined immunodeficiency.

Why are stem cells so controversial?

Timeline of Stem Cells ● In 1978: stem cells were discovered in human

cord blood. ● In 1981: First in vitro stem cell line developed

in mice● In 1988: Embryonic stem cell lines created

from a hamster● In 1995: First embryonic stem cell line derived

from a primate● In 1997: Clined lamb from stem cells● In 1997: Leukaemia origin found as

haematopoietic stem cell indicating possible proof of cancer stem cells

Controversy

Pros● no major ethical concerns

have been raised ● the cells have appeared

to be improving the vision in more than half of the 18 patients who became legally blind

● stem cells can be maintained or stored for up to a year

Cons ● hard to find stem cells in

tissues, making it difficult to have success in purifying them

● currently no technology available to generate large quantities in culture

● unsure of ejectment in transplants

+-

● abundant somatic cells of a donor can be used

● by studying ESC’s, more can be learned about the developement of the human body

● less likely to be rejected in transplants

● scientists have already had success in patients

● if used directly from ESC’s, tumors can be caused

● therapies

Works CitedMurnaghan, Ian. "History of Stem Cell Research." Explore Stem Cell . Explore Stem Cells, 22 Sep 2014.

Web. 20 Oct 2014.Eckman, Dr. Jim. “Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Issues in Perspective.2011.

Web. 14 Apr. 2013.

Jack."Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons ." Stem Cell Facts. Stem Cell Facts, 19 Sep 2011.

Web. 20 Oct 2014.

Park, Alice. "Stem Cell Scientists Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine." TIME. TIME, 8 Oct 2012.

Web. 20 Oct 2014.

Park, Alice. "Stem Cell Miracle? New Therapies May Cure Chronic Conditions like Alzheimer's." TIME. TIME, 25 Jun 2011. Web. 20 Oct 2014.

Stein, Rob. "Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Vision In Preliminary Human Test." npr. npr, 24 Oct 2014. Web. 20 Oct 2014.