Stem cells are cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They hold back the ability to regenerate themselves by mitotic cell division and can separate into a different array of specialized cell types. Research in the stem cell field grew out of determinations by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are detected in blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells behave as a repair system for the body, refilling specialized cells, but also conserve the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues.

As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with features consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or marrow are touted as bright prospects.

Stem cells have the capacity to replicate themselves into cells with similar properties in order to maintain a pool of precursor cells. Adult stem cells, also called tissue stem cells, are found in differentiated tissues in which, in a controlled manner, they differentiate and/or divide to produce all the specialized cell types of the tissue from which they originate. Adult stem cells are often multipotent, capable to produce several but limited numbers of cell types.

Recent data suggests that stem cells are not only active in embryos, but act throughout our lives, replacing worn and damaged mature cells. Before 1998, however, when the first stem cells were actually identified, they were merely assumed to exist.

This report on Understanding Stem Cell Research provides basic information on stem cells, a historical background on stem cells, information on the different types of stem cells along with where they are derived from, the importance of stem cells and the controversy surrounding stem cells. The report also takes a look at the different types of stem cell research currently available, the benefits of stem cell therapy and research and how they help in the treatment of various diseases.

Also included in the report is a regulatory framework analysis of various countries, along with their stance on stem cell research and therapy. An analysis of the major players in the industry in the U.S., and a detailed future outlook completes this report.



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88 pages

Publication Date : January 2008