Genetic Disorders and Gene Therapy

Stem Cell Biology

Stem cells are cells originate in all multi-cellular organisms. They were isolated in mice in 1981 and in humans in 1998. In humans there are several types of stem cells, each with variable levels of potency. Stem cell treatments are a type of cell therapy that introduces new cells into adult bodies for possible treatment of cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and other medical conditions. Stem cells have been used to repair tissue damaged by disease or age. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm, but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.