Stem Cells: August 2004 Archives
Just like a seed that grows in a tree, stem cells are the starting point of a waterfall of division that produce millions of special cells in the skin, muscles, blood, brain, eyes, heart and other organs that make up our body. The youngest stem cells that are obtained from embryos only days old have the greatest potential. These cells called embryonic stem cells are the seed; they can do anything – they grow to be the tree. The specialized stem cells are obtained from the seed so as to create the branches and even more specialized cells create the leaves and fruits and even more seeds. This same potential exists in the human body, making it possible to grow stem cells to replace all types of diseased organs and tissues.
Embryonic stem cells are "pluripotent", which means that they are capable of growing into any type of cell. Older embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells are "multipotent" which means that they still are capable of growing into various types of cells but are wired to make specialized tissues such as the nervous system, vascular circulation or muscles. In other words, multipotent cells (also called adult stem cells) somehow have been already told or have already decided what their identity is going to be, and they continue along this defined path for making some type of tissue or organ – say, the blood system, for example. As the pregnancy advances, the stem cells become more and more specialized.
Some interesting links:
The official National Institutes of Health resource for stem cell research
The Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Translation by Eugenia Gutierrez Ortiz Mena - Genesis Translations
Como una semilla de la cual crece un árbol, las células madre son el punto de partida de una cascada de división de células que produce los miles de millones de células especiales en la piel, músculos. sangre, cerébro, ojos, corazón y otros organos que constituyen nuestro cuerpo. Las células madre más jovenes que se obtienen de embriones que tienen solamente días de edad, tienen el mayor potencial. Estas células llamadas celulas madre embrionicas son las semillas, pueden hacer cualquier cosa, llegan a ser el árbol. De la semilla se obtienen celulas madre especializadas para crear las ramas y células todavia más especializadas crean las hojas y las frutas y aún más semillas. El mismo potencial existe para el cuerpo humano, teniendo la posibilidad de crecer células madre para reemplazar todo tipo de organos y tejidos enfermos.
Las celulas madre embriónicas son "pluripotenciales", que quiere decir que son capaces de crecer en cualquier tipo de célula. Las células madre de embriones mas viejos o de adultos son "multipotentes" que quiere decir que todavía pueden crecer en tipos variados de células pero estan comprometidas a hacer tejidos especializados como el sistema nervioso, la red vascular o músculos. En otras palabras, las células multipotentes (también llamadas células madre adultas) de alguna manera ya se les ha dicho - o se ha decidido - cual es la identidad que van a tener, y proceden con ese camino definido para hacer algun tipo de tejido u organo - por decir algo las células del sistema sanguineo. Conforme avanza la gestación, las células madre se vuelven más y más especializadas.
Algunos links interesantes:
The official National Institutes of Health resource for stem cell research
Proposition 71 in California on the November state ballot.
Stem cell research could lead to breakthrough treatments and cures for many diseases and injuries, including: diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease, Parkinson's, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, ALS, autism, severe burns and spinal cord injury.
Here's the Yes on 71 website:
www.yeson71.com
News Coverage:
California to vote on $3 billion stem cell project
CNN - Aug 26, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates and Hollywood celebrities are backing a measure on California's November 2 ballot to ...
Calif. to Vote on $3B Stem Cell Project
Yahoo News - Aug 26, 2004
By PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnology Writer. SAN FRANCISCO - Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates and Hollywood celebrities are backing ...
Gates Contributes to Stem Cell Campaign
ABC News - Aug 26, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO Aug. 25, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates contributed $400,000 to the campaign backing a California ballot ...
Calif. to vote on $3B stem cell project
Boston.com, MA - Aug 26, 2004
By Paul Elias, AP Biotechnology Writer | August 26, 2004. SAN FRANCISCO -- Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates and Hollywood ...
Bill Gates contributes to stem cell campaign
Boston Herald, MA - Aug 26, 2004
By Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates contributed $400,000 to the campaign backing a California ...
I received the following message from Viacord yesterday:
"In the short time since you had your baby, there's been a major breakthrough in cord blood banking.
Recently, ViaCell scientists discovered a new stem cell in umbilical cord blood called the Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cell (USSC), which holds enormous promise. Scientists at ViaCell Labs have demonstrated that these cells have the ability to develop into many different cells in animals, including brain, bone, cartilage, liver, heart and blood cells. Plus, this new stem cell can be multiplied to create literally billions of cells from a single umbilical cord. "
There are more than 40 thousand Viacord customers and only 12 have used the umbilical cord stem cells for a bone marrow transplant.
My questions and concerns are:
How do the Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells help me today?
Are Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells found on adults, or are they only available on cord blood?
Viacord banks my cells, but who will create the "brain, bone, cartilage, liver, heart and blood cells" for me?
What would happen if a major breakthrough is found and 80% of Viacord customers ask for their cells back?
The Viacord message continues:
"Shouldn't all your expectant friends know about the power of cord blood? Provide us with the names of your expectant friends and we'll send them an in-depth information packet so they can make an informed decision about preserving their baby's cord blood. As a special thanks, we'll send you a $100 U.S. Savings Bond for every friend who banks with Viacord. Extra Bonus: Right now, when you provide the name of someone who is pregnant, both you and your friend will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at the store of your choice.* Plus, you get an extra chance to win for each referral you provide. Make sure all your friends are aware of the life-saving potential of cord blood. It could become the most important information you ever share. "
ATF
