A New Light to Stem Cell Research
IPS Cells
So, what progression has the stem cell community made? Lab mice were injected with a few mutated human genes of the blood disease, sickle-cell anemia. The infected mice were then injected with cells that acted as stem cells. These cells were harvested from the skin of mice. The result were great, and many mice were cured of the sickle-cell anemia disease. The results give hope for a future cure for the disease of sickle-cell anemia and it's sufferers. According to the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), "further analysis and refinement of the approach will be necessary to understand whether this experimental approach can eventually be applied to people".
The cells that are recreated from skin tissue are called, "induced pluripotent cells", which are also known as iPS cells. These iPS cells are an advancement in the stem cell research community. These cells can be used to make cells that are similar to the embryonic cells (ES cells). The ISSCR states, "while human iPS cells are not exactly the same as human ES cells, they nevertheless point the way to an exciting future in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine".
iPS cells are a new fad in the stem cell research community, and give good hope for a possible replacement to embryonic cells. Despite the many different stops that governments have placed upon the advancement of stem cell research, many scientist are finding ways around them, such as the iPS cells.
Although, iPS cells are still in the experimental stage, they give light to new hope for many suffers around the world.
Resources:
Pamela J. Hines, Ph.D*, Author; Mice Pave the WAy to Insights About Sickle Cell Anemia; ISSCR
http://www.isscr.org/public/briefings/sickle.html
M. William Lensch, Ph.D*, Author; Breakthroughs in stem cell biology: Human iPS cells; ISSCR
http://www.isscr.org/public/briefings/breakthrough.html
Published by Susan Owens
I believe that there is more to life then what meets the eye. View profile
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