Stem cells are special human cells with the ability to replicate themselves and develop into many different cell types. They can be found in almost all tissues of the body and are needed to maintain these tissues, as well as repair them after injury.
In 1998, there was a major breakthrough in the field of stem cell research when scientist James Thomson successfully isolated human embryonic stem cells for the first time. Since then, stem cell research has continued to flourish and open doors across all aspects of healthcare, offering new hope for patients suffering from conditions and diseases that were once thought to be incurable.
Why Are Stem Cells Important?
Stem cells’ remarkable ability to renew themselves and develop into different cells means that they have the potential to transform healthcare by (for example) repairing damaged organs and aiding in the development of personalised medicines.
The most versatile kind of stem cell – embryonic stem cells – can develop into all the cells of a developing foetus, and therefore can become brain cells, heart muscle cells, bone cells and more. These stem cells can then be used in people to regenerate and repair tissues that have been damaged or affected by disease.
Scientists also use stem cells to learn about human biology and gain a better understanding of cell division, specialisation and differentiation. This information can help researchers to better understand how diseases develop and mature so that they may pursue new and improved therapeutic strategies.
On top of this, researchers can use stem cells to test drugs for safety and quality before they are used on living people. For all of these reasons and more, stem cells really are an invaluable resource.
Future Applications of Stem Cells
Bone marrow transplants using hematopoietic stem cells are already saving the lives of people with blood disorders like leukaemia and lymphoma today, but how might stem cells be used in the future?
Cancer Treatment
Studies are taking place to find out whether stem cells may be able to treat various different cancers (as well as other illnesses like type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, osteoarthritis and more). In cancer patients specifically, stem cell treatment could potentially help to regenerate healthy cells in the body after chemotherapy, where both healthy and cancerous cells are destroyed.
Regenerative Medicine
Stem cells can also be used as a form of regenerative medicine. Since stem cells have the potential to regenerate damaged tissues, researchers are currently studying whether they might be useful in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, diabetes and heart disease, offering potential cures rather than just symptom management.
Organ Transplants and Tissue Engineering
Another potential application involves using stem cells and tissues to carry out what is known as tissue engineering. Stem cells may enable the growth of organs in a lab—organs which can then be transplanted into a human body without the risk of rejection. So it’s possible that stem cells could create a renewable source of tissue and organ transplants! This is a very exciting development because, at present, the need for transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply.
Personalised Medicine
The possibility of personalised medicine has also become more feasible in recent years, with stem cells potentially being used to create identical ‘patient-specific’ cell lines so that doctors can test how different drugs or treatments would affect a patient before administering them.
The future of stem cell research in healthcare looks very promising indeed. As scientists continue to study these amazing cells, we can expect to see even more innovative treatments start to emerge that could change the way we approach modern medicine, offering life-saving treatments and the possibility of longer, healthier lives!
If you want to be involved in stem cell research, our team at HRS can help! We specialise in finding individuals for a wide variety of life science roles. Search our latest vacancies or get in touch with us to find out more.
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