The Importance Of Pluripotent Stem Cells - 952 Words

During the early 2000s, it was believed that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were the only source of pluripotent cells. However, a revolutionary discovery by Shinya Yamanaka and his team in 2006 showed that skin cells can be artificially reprogrammed into a previously unknown form of pluripotent cells named induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), through the artificial addition of four transcription factors; †¢ Oct3/4 †¢ Sox2 †¢ C-Myc †¢ KLf4 These iPSCs were taken from mouse fibroblasts and subsequently, using the same group of transcription factors (along with others), iPSCs were successfully generated from human fibroblasts obtained from a human biopsy. This key advancement opened many opportunities in medical fields. Firstly, since iPCS can†¦show more content†¦Genome editing generally had a large time-scale and heavy cost associated with it, however, that is no longer the case due to a genome editing tool named CRISPR-Cas9. This tool is based on a natural system used by bacteria to protect themselves against viruses in which the bacteria disables the virus by cutting the viral DNA with an enzyme called Cas9. The adaptation of this naturally occurring phenomenon into CRISPR-Cas9 has opened the door to many incredible possibilities that were previously thought of as impossible. One possible use of CRISPR-Cas9 may be the curing of retroviruses. In 2015, scientists used CRISPR-Cas9 in the treatment of rats with HIV. The persistent co-expression of the Cas9 enzyme and specific guide RNA significantly diminished HIV-1 replication in infected CD4+ T cell cultures, which saw more than 50% of the HIV-1 virus being eradicated from the rats, as well as them being protected against new infection (Rafal K et al, 2016). This may serve as a pathway to the curing of HIV and other retroviruses. CRISPR-Cas9 could also be used to tackle one of the largest causes of death today, cancer. Cancer is caused by the replication of altered cells that are not recognised by the immune system, causing tumours. CRISPR-Cas9 has already been used to treat cancer in mice. Using Crispr, scientists modified the immune cells of the mice to express proteins on their surfaces called ChimericShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell835 Words   |  4 PagesHuman pluripotent stem cells, including both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), possess the ability to di fferentiate into any type of somatic cell, imparting promise as diverse therapeutic tools. However, a major barrier for clinically utilizing hESCs and iPSCs are animal derived or xeno products. In order to eliminate potential contaminants and possible inconsistencies, the cells need to be cultured in xeno-free conditions. Culturing stem cells requiresRead MoreStem Cells: Characterization and Biomedical Importance Essay example854 Words   |  4 PagesOver the past decade, stem cell biology has been an area that has caused much controversy. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into many different types of cells and therefore, advocates of stem cell research argue that the cells have various medical applications. On the other hand, opponents of stem cell research denounce the use of human embryos for research purposes, claiming that the embryos represent human lives and that experimentation with them and subsequent annihilation of themRead More Stem Cells: What How and Why? E ssay1130 Words   |  5 Pages Stem Cells: What, How and Why? Stem cells are infinitely valuable when considering their potential applications in the medical profession. 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A stem cell is a cell with the ability to develop into any of the cell types that make up the tissues and organs of the body. This makes these cells highly useful and provides limitless pote ntial in the field of regenerative medicine. There are two expansive linesRead MoreEssay On Pluripotent Cells1143 Words   |  5 Pages). The use of pluripotent cells, allow researchers to conduct drug testing in a wide range of cell types. Thus, improving outcomes for patients with many neurological diseases. The loss of neurons and glial cells cause neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Current major therapies focus on oral medications, in the case of Parkinson’s disease, L-dopa, and dopamine receptor agonists, in addition to deep-brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus. FurthermoreRead MoreStem Cells : What Are They Good For? Absolutely Everything1217 Words   |  5 PagesWorking title: Stem Cells: What are they good for? Absolutely everything. Introduction (1 page): Medicine has benefitted for years from advancements in technology and research. Technology combined with research has allowed, once crazy and impractical, ideas to be put into action to treat, heal and even cure many diseases and illnesses to improve or ensure a long quality of life for patients. Continuation of medical technology and research is vital and offers many potential cures, especially throughRead MoreDevelopment Of Cells And Pluripotent Germ Cells1603 Words   |  7 PagesDevelopment of germ cells from embryonic stem cells and pluripotent germ cells. The need to have children is one that outstrips almost all other desires in life; however, many biological and environmental issues have arisen to deny some of this natural opportunity afforded to many others. From this we have seen the rise of solutions such as assisted reproduction which affords the chance for people to experience child rearing and care however, it does not offer in most cases the opportunity for theRead MoreEssay On 20 Years Of Advancement In Healthcare Science1109 Words   |  5 Pagesat short, specific sequences. †¢ Yeast Artificial Chromosomes (YAC), a vector that has been genetically engineered to clone pieces of DNA. †¢ Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BAC), a large segment of DNA from another species cloned into a bacterial cell and amplified. †¢ The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), used to amplify a short segment of DNA into a large quantity for analysis. †¢ Electrophoresis which separates molecules according to their size and electrical charge. The HGP has already had a profound