Basics
Stem cells have two properties that distinguish them
from other cells. First, stem cells regenerate themselves.
When a stem cell divides, it creates two “daughter”
cells, the first of which is an exact replica of itself.
Therefore, populations of stem cells are considered
to be “immortal.” Second, stem cells are
“undifferentiated”—meaning they have
not committed to become any particular type of cell,
such as a neuron or skin cell.
These special cells hold unusual promise to improve
human health. Customized embryonic stem cells would
be an inexhaustible sources of any tissue type. Researchers
can already create such cells and regenerate lost or
damaged tissues in mice through a process called therapeutic
cloning. In one ground-breaking experiment, Whitehead
scientists cured the immune system of a mouse by treating
it with stem cells that included its own DNA.
Here are resources with background information on stem
cells and present applications of stem cell research,
including therapeutic cloning.
Stem
cell primer
Our primer defines embryonic and adult stem cells,
distinguishes between reproductive cloning and therapeutic
cloning, and explores future applications of stem cell
research.
Promises and realities in embryonic stem cell research
Whitehead Member Rudolf Jaenisch explains that it's
still early days for the science, despite all the controversies.
Setting the record straight on adult stem cells
Whitehead Fellow Fernando Camargo explains where
adult stem cells are found, how
their therapeutic potential differs from that of embryonic
stem cells and how
adult stem cells are currently used to cure diseases
in a series of Q&As.
Stem
cell glossary
Learn what terms such as “epigenetic” and
“pluripotent” mean to stem cell researchers.
The
grand challenge
This Paradigm magazine article charts great moments
in human embryonic stem cell research and describes
the obstacles to using stem cells to treat diseases.
Power
in the blood
This Paradigm magazine story explains how we can build
up the adult stem cells that build your blood. |
