4D: stem cells

stem cells

undifferentiated cells with the capability of differentiating into specialised cell with a particular function

types of stem cells are distinguished in terms of their…

potency to produce different cell types

totipotent

embryonic stem cells

• differentiate into any cell

pluripotent

embryonic stem cells, iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells)

• any 3 germ layers

multipotent

adult stem cells

• limited, related family of specialised cells within a specific tissue / organ lineage

stem cells locations

• zygote

• human embryos (early stage)

• some adult somatic cells

  • e.g. bone marrow

• umbilical cord blood

pluripotent

• after multiple rounds of cell division, the cells of the embryo lose their ability to give rise to cells of the placenta, and become more restricted in what type of cell they can become

blastocyst

• zygote undergoes many mitotic divisions

• inner cell mass of blastocyst wil form the tissues of the embryo while the cells of the outer layer will become the embrionic contribution to the placenta

embryo

early developmental stage of multicellular organism

• embryo development = first 8 weeks of fertilisation

• week 3: primary germ layers = present

stem cells use

• stem cells = unique ability to regenerate damage tissue

  • e.g. Parkinson’s disease and other human diseases

• potential usage = cell based therapies

  • field of research = regeneration medicine

• other targeted diseases = type 1 diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injuries

therapeutic cloning

produce stem cells for treatment