Stem Cell
I attended a stem cell symposium since the topic is of obvious controversy. I was, however, surprised at what I learned. It is necessary to know that there are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiating into other cell types, whereas adult stem cells replace damaged cells. While the public is concerned mostly with human cloning from stem cell, it should be said that doesn’t represent the crux of the stem cell research. In fact, the seminar I attended, the principle investigator talked about his stem cell research using drosophila, or fruit fly. He was able to use the two types of stem cells available in a drosophila ovary: somatic and germline. The stem cells need to be maintained, otherwise they will differentiate into specific cell types. This process is regulated by gene expressions. Furthermore, nutrition is an important part of stem cell growth. The interesting part of the seminar is the mentioning of the Niche Concept. This is perhaps relevant to medical science. The idea of a niche concept is that a space might be filled by replacement stem cell, so that the implanted stem cells can generate new cells and replace the damaged ones. When the speaker explored this niche idea, he asked if the niche can reprogram cell fate. In other words, if a cell is destined to become a cardiac cell, then if it is placed into the niche, can the niche then reprogram this cell to become a neuron? What the finding suggested is that some cells can be reactivated by niche signals and that the niche is stable. This is exciting news.
While the media and Hollywood continue to cloud our mind with cloning, stem cell research shows real promise for medical science. Of course, using model systems to study have drawbacks. But from model systems, we can design better experiments and ask better questions when we do studies with human stem cells. I just don’t want people to think that the only stem cell research is involving human stem cells.
I attended a stem cell symposium since the topic is of obvious controversy. I was, however, surprised at what I learned. It is necessary to know that there are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiating into other cell types, whereas adult stem cells replace damaged cells. While the public is concerned mostly with human cloning from stem cell, it should be said that doesn’t represent the crux of the stem cell research. In fact, the seminar I attended, the principle investigator talked about his stem cell research using drosophila, or fruit fly. He was able to use the two types of stem cells available in a drosophila ovary: somatic and germline. The stem cells need to be maintained, otherwise they will differentiate into specific cell types. This process is regulated by gene expressions. Furthermore, nutrition is an important part of stem cell growth. The interesting part of the seminar is the mentioning of the Niche Concept. This is perhaps relevant to medical science. The idea of a niche concept is that a space might be filled by replacement stem cell, so that the implanted stem cells can generate new cells and replace the damaged ones. When the speaker explored this niche idea, he asked if the niche can reprogram cell fate. In other words, if a cell is destined to become a cardiac cell, then if it is placed into the niche, can the niche then reprogram this cell to become a neuron? What the finding suggested is that some cells can be reactivated by niche signals and that the niche is stable. This is exciting news.
While the media and Hollywood continue to cloud our mind with cloning, stem cell research shows real promise for medical science. Of course, using model systems to study have drawbacks. But from model systems, we can design better experiments and ask better questions when we do studies with human stem cells. I just don’t want people to think that the only stem cell research is involving human stem cells.
