In recent years, acceptance of the concept of adult stem cells has increased. There is now a theory that stem cells reside in many adult tissues and that these unique reservoirs of cells are not only responsible for the normal repair and regenerative processes, but are also considered to be a prime target for genetic and epigenetic changes, culminating in many abnormal conditions, degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes 1 & 2, Stroke, Alzheimer’s, Spinal Cord injuries, Liver diseases, Myocardial infarction, (to name a few)
Stem cells derived from different adult tissue can have remarkably similar properties. Research on adult stem cells has revealed that they can be induced to produce cell types of a variety of tissues.
Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. Unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells—which do not normally replicate themselves—stem cells may replicate many times, or proliferate. A starting population of stem cells that proliferates for many months in the laboratory can yield millions of cells. If the resulting cells continue to be nonspecialist, like the parent stem cells, the cells are said to be capable of long-term self-renewal.
Stem cells are nonspecialized. One of the fundamental properties of a stem cell is that it does not have any tissue-specific structures that allow it to perform specialized functions. For example, a stem cell cannot work with its neighbors to pump blood through the body (like a heart muscle cell), and it cannot carry oxygen molecules through the bloodstream (like a red blood cell). However, unspecialized stem cells can give rise to specialized cells, including heart muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells.
Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells. When unspecialized stem cells give rise to specialized cells, the process is called differentiation. While differentiating, the cell usually goes through several stages, becoming more specialized at each step. Scientists are just beginning to understand the signals inside and outside cells that trigger each step of the differentiation process.
The internal signals are controlled by a cell's genes, which are interspersed across long strands of DNA, and carry coded instructions for all cellular structures and functions. The external signals for cell differentiation include chemicals secreted by other cells, physical contact with neighbouring cells, and certain molecules in the micro environment. The interaction of signals during differentiation causes the cell's DNA to acquire epigenetic marks that restrict DNA expression in the cell and can be passed on through cell division.
Adult stem cells typically generate the cell types of the tissue in which they reside. For example, a blood-forming adult stem cell in the bone marrow normally gives rise to the many types of blood cells. It is generally accepted that a blood-forming cell in the bone marrow—which is called a hematopoietic stem cell—cannot give rise to the cells of a very different tissue, such as nerve cells in the brain. Experiments over the last several years have purported to show that stem cells from one tissue may give rise to cell types of a completely different tissue. This remains an area of great debate within the research community. This controversy demonstrates the challenges of studying adult stem cells and suggests that additional research using adult stem cells is necessary to understand their full potential as future therapies.
Now you have been formally introduced to your best little friends, let me ask you do you know how to look after them so they look after you ? Happy to send you lots of information and if you would like to become a member of the Australian Adult Stem Cell Foundation which is not for profit organisation founded by Phil Tornabene and Bruce Layey just copy and past the link below. The aim of the foundation is focused on getting the information to you.
I will be posting some case history and research information asap.
http://www.australianadultstemcellfoundation.org/index.html