Have you heard of stem cells but don’t know what they are or why they are essential in medical research?
In celebration of Stem Cell Awareness Day, the second Wednesday in October that is dedicated to educating about the importance of stem cells, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is providing this guide on what stem cells are and why funding research is critical to the progress of therapies and treatments that have the potential to help Californians and people around the world.
Stem Cells: What are they?
Stem cells are our bodies’ fundamental building blocks and can develop into hundreds of different cell types depending on what is needed. There are several varying cell types, but listed are a few that you may hear about often:
- Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs): Stem cells that are extracted from the earliest stages of embryonic development and are considered pluripotent due to having the capability to become any cell type.
- Adult stem cells: Adult stem cells are present in many adult tissues, such as the lining of the gut and the eye’s cornea. These stem cells are limited because they can generate only the same types of cells found in the tissue from which they originate.
For example, adult stem cells in the cornea can only generate more corneal cells. Well-known adult stem cells are the blood-forming (or hematopoietic) stem cells that reside in the bone marrow. They can generate all blood cell types, from red blood cells to immune cells.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): These cells are created in the laboratory, starting with cells taken from a patient and then reprogrammed into hiPSCs. Like hESCs, hiPSCs can become any cell type within the body.
- Cancer stem cells: A subpopulation of cells that can multiply indefinitely and are resistant to chemotherapy.
Why Stem Cell Research is critical
Stem cell research is crucial because it enhances our understanding of how diseases develop and, more importantly, how to treat them. Researchers are still discovering a great deal about the immense potential of stem cells, and the possibilities appear limitless. They continue to investigate the capabilities of these potent cells, and their advancements could result in treatments for diseases and conditions previously thought to be untreatable.
Watch our Stem Cell Awareness video featuring CIRM staff. They share their insights on the importance of stem cells and the impact research can have on the future of medicine.
For more resources about stem cells and stem cell research, please visit a few of the following:
The Stem Cellar 