tuti9064 Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 Introduction(134 words) In the latest period, a new kind of cell is being tested with and explored by scientists world-wide. This kind of cell poses not only solutions to some of the most dangerous diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, but also some of the most problematic moral dilemmas. This cell is known as the “stem cell”. They are defined by mayo clinic as “Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated”(1). These cells are to the human body, what the joker is to solitaire, an all-in-one jack of all trades capable of doing almost anything that is demanded off of it. In this article, I will discuss what stem-cells are-in further detail-, their kinds, medical applications and moral dilemmas that are faced in their research. Identifying stem cells(99 words) Before, discussing them in further detail, we must first learn how to identify them further. Stem cells universally share two features, first-this happens to be a feature shared with cancer cells(2)(3)-: stem cells must have the ability of unlimited self-renewal to produce progeny exactly the same as the originating cell, and second: they must be able to differentiate themselves into other types of cells(3). I would like to point out that differentiating into other types of cells here does not mean that it can become two different types of cells, but, rather, that it stops being a stem cell. Locations(81 words) In adults, stem cells are to be found in the bone marrow and fat(1)(4). Stem cells hide away in the bone marrow because it is gives them a perfect place development and maintenance(5). This can be explained according to the following reasons: 1. Nurturing environment. Bone marrow contains stromal cells, which secret growth factors and provide structural support to stem cells(1). 2. Protection As the bone marrow is in the center of the bone, it offers stem cells protection against damage or trauma(6). 3. Aids stem cell renewal Bone marrow dictates stem cell differentiation, maintaining a balance between differentiated cells, and undifferentiated cells(1). Their natural ends(195 words) I didn’t really understand this, so I’m just quoting it: “A common fate for multipotent stem cells is to remain quiescent without dividing or differentiating, thus maintaining its place in the stem cell pool. An example of this is stem cells in the bone marrow that await activating signals from the body. A second fate of stem cells is symmetric self-renewal in which two daughter stem cells, exactly like the parent cell, arise from cell division. This does not result in differentiated progeny but does increase the pool of stem cells from which specialized cells can develop in subsequent divisions. The third fate, asymmetric self-renewal, occurs when a stem cell divides into two daughter cells, one a copy of the parent, the other a more specialized cell, named a somatic or progenitor cell. Asymmetric self-renewal results in the generation of differentiated progeny needed for natural tissue development/regeneration while also maintaining the stem cell pool for the future. The fourth fate is that in which a stem cell divides to produce two daughters both different from the parent cell. This results in greater proliferation of differentiated progeny with a net loss in the stem cell pool.”(3) Stem-cell classifications(393 words) There are four kinds of stem cells: 1. Embryonic stem cells These are well and truly the most “powerful” kind of stem cell, as they can differentiate into any kind of cell(7), this quality is called pluripotency(1). These cells originate from embryos which are 3-5 days old, these embryos are called blatocysts and contain 150 cells at most(1). At the blastocyst stage, embryos are made up of two different cell types:, first: cells of the inner cell mass and cells of the trophectoderm. While the latter serve as contributors to placental development, it is the former that will ultimately differentiate into various specialized cell types, tissues, and organs throughout the entirety of an organism's body(8). These stem cells are the ones responsible for the aforementioned moral dilemmas(1). 2. Adult stem cells A good way to summarize adult stem cells is saying that they are embryonic stem cells without the ability to differentiate into any cell, but are, rather, limited in their choice of specialization(1). These cells are scattered in tiny pockets all around the body(1). Recently, new research suggests that it may be possible to edit adult stem cells into behaving more like embryonic stem cells, but this is to be taken ligtly as the sources which claim this are contradictory, simply revise the first source for a further reading, “Although research into adult stem cells is promising, adult stem cells may not be as versatile and durable as are embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells may not be able to be manipulated to produce all cell types, which limits how adult stem cells can be used to treat diseases.”(1). 3. Induced pluripotent stem (iPs) cells These are adult stem cells, usually from the blood and skin, which have been edited to function more like embryonic stem cells(9). Most of the things surrounding this cell are medical in nature, and, so, they’ll be discussed later on in the article. 4. Unipotent stem cells These are the only stem cells that lack the ability to differentiate into different kinds of cells, as they are capable of becoming only one, restricted, type of cell. The reason why anyone shows interest in these cell is because of their renewal factor, as well as the fact that they might be able to be pushed back into pluripotent cells(10), These cells can be found in the skin, intestine, liver, muscle and hair(11). The Medical Dilemma(51 words) The medical, and even political(12), dilemma surrounding stem cells is limited to the study and research of embryonic stem cells(1). Getting these cells is difficult, as they are available only in blastocysts, meaning any attempt in order to get them will require the harming of the baby, and, thus, the mother. Medical use Stem cells have a variety of uses, these are, but not limited to: 1. Drug testing Stem cells could be differentiated in labs to become one kind of cell, where then, scientists experiment with different drugs and try to uncover how useful or harmful the medication is(14). 2. Tissue engineering Stem cells are used to make organs, which are then experimented on or used in surgeries.(14) 3. Immunotherapy Stem cells can be edited into producing immune testing molecules, making the immune system stronger and helping it grow, in case of weakness. (14) (1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117 (2) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-stem-cells-5078482 (3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104807/ (4) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-stem-cells-5078482 (5) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/why-stem-cell-transplants-are-used.html (6) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stem-cell-transplant/ (7) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/embryonic-stem-cell (8) https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/stc-basics/ (9) https://stemcell.ucla.edu/induced-pluripotent-stem-cells (10) https://www.betteraging.com/aging-science/what-are-unipotent-stem-cells/ (11) https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-unipotent-cells (12) https://www.jstor.org/stable/23209559 (13) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726839/ (14) https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5 Stem cells.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 What do you want to discuss here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuti9064 Posted December 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 21 minutes ago, Moontanman said: What do you want to discuss here? I already posted it lol That's it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 3 hours ago, tuti9064 said: I already posted it lol That's it Are you asking questions or just posting science news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuti9064 Posted December 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 I posted an overview I wrote on stem cells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vmedvil Posted December 10, 2023 Report Share Posted December 10, 2023 14 hours ago, tuti9064 said: Introduction(134 words) In the latest period, a new kind of cell is being tested with and explored by scientists world-wide. This kind of cell poses not only solutions to some of the most dangerous diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, but also some of the most problematic moral dilemmas. This cell is known as the “stem cell”. They are defined by mayo clinic as “Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated”(1). These cells are to the human body, what the joker is to solitaire, an all-in-one jack of all trades capable of doing almost anything that is demanded off of it. In this article, I will discuss what stem-cells are-in further detail-, their kinds, medical applications and moral dilemmas that are faced in their research. Identifying stem cells(99 words) Before, discussing them in further detail, we must first learn how to identify them further. Stem cells universally share two features, first-this happens to be a feature shared with cancer cells(2)(3)-: stem cells must have the ability of unlimited self-renewal to produce progeny exactly the same as the originating cell, and second: they must be able to differentiate themselves into other types of cells(3). I would like to point out that differentiating into other types of cells here does not mean that it can become two different types of cells, but, rather, that it stops being a stem cell. Locations(81 words) In adults, stem cells are to be found in the bone marrow and fat(1)(4). Stem cells hide away in the bone marrow because it is gives them a perfect place development and maintenance(5). This can be explained according to the following reasons: 1. Nurturing environment. Bone marrow contains stromal cells, which secret growth factors and provide structural support to stem cells(1). 2. Protection As the bone marrow is in the center of the bone, it offers stem cells protection against damage or trauma(6). 3. Aids stem cell renewal Bone marrow dictates stem cell differentiation, maintaining a balance between differentiated cells, and undifferentiated cells(1). Their natural ends(195 words) I didn’t really understand this, so I’m just quoting it: “A common fate for multipotent stem cells is to remain quiescent without dividing or differentiating, thus maintaining its place in the stem cell pool. An example of this is stem cells in the bone marrow that await activating signals from the body. A second fate of stem cells is symmetric self-renewal in which two daughter stem cells, exactly like the parent cell, arise from cell division. This does not result in differentiated progeny but does increase the pool of stem cells from which specialized cells can develop in subsequent divisions. The third fate, asymmetric self-renewal, occurs when a stem cell divides into two daughter cells, one a copy of the parent, the other a more specialized cell, named a somatic or progenitor cell. Asymmetric self-renewal results in the generation of differentiated progeny needed for natural tissue development/regeneration while also maintaining the stem cell pool for the future. The fourth fate is that in which a stem cell divides to produce two daughters both different from the parent cell. This results in greater proliferation of differentiated progeny with a net loss in the stem cell pool.”(3) Stem-cell classifications(393 words) There are four kinds of stem cells: 1. Embryonic stem cells These are well and truly the most “powerful” kind of stem cell, as they can differentiate into any kind of cell(7), this quality is called pluripotency(1). These cells originate from embryos which are 3-5 days old, these embryos are called blatocysts and contain 150 cells at most(1). At the blastocyst stage, embryos are made up of two different cell types:, first: cells of the inner cell mass and cells of the trophectoderm. While the latter serve as contributors to placental development, it is the former that will ultimately differentiate into various specialized cell types, tissues, and organs throughout the entirety of an organism's body(8). These stem cells are the ones responsible for the aforementioned moral dilemmas(1). 2. Adult stem cells A good way to summarize adult stem cells is saying that they are embryonic stem cells without the ability to differentiate into any cell, but are, rather, limited in their choice of specialization(1). These cells are scattered in tiny pockets all around the body(1). Recently, new research suggests that it may be possible to edit adult stem cells into behaving more like embryonic stem cells, but this is to be taken ligtly as the sources which claim this are contradictory, simply revise the first source for a further reading, “Although research into adult stem cells is promising, adult stem cells may not be as versatile and durable as are embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells may not be able to be manipulated to produce all cell types, which limits how adult stem cells can be used to treat diseases.”(1). 3. Induced pluripotent stem (iPs) cells These are adult stem cells, usually from the blood and skin, which have been edited to function more like embryonic stem cells(9). Most of the things surrounding this cell are medical in nature, and, so, they’ll be discussed later on in the article. 4. Unipotent stem cells These are the only stem cells that lack the ability to differentiate into different kinds of cells, as they are capable of becoming only one, restricted, type of cell. The reason why anyone shows interest in these cell is because of their renewal factor, as well as the fact that they might be able to be pushed back into pluripotent cells(10), These cells can be found in the skin, intestine, liver, muscle and hair(11). The Medical Dilemma(51 words) The medical, and even political(12), dilemma surrounding stem cells is limited to the study and research of embryonic stem cells(1). Getting these cells is difficult, as they are available only in blastocysts, meaning any attempt in order to get them will require the harming of the baby, and, thus, the mother. Medical use Stem cells have a variety of uses, these are, but not limited to: 1. Drug testing Stem cells could be differentiated in labs to become one kind of cell, where then, scientists experiment with different drugs and try to uncover how useful or harmful the medication is(14). 2. Tissue engineering Stem cells are used to make organs, which are then experimented on or used in surgeries.(14) 3. Immunotherapy Stem cells can be edited into producing immune testing molecules, making the immune system stronger and helping it grow, in case of weakness. (14) (1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117 (2) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-stem-cells-5078482 (3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104807/ (4) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-stem-cells-5078482 (5) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/why-stem-cell-transplants-are-used.html (6) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stem-cell-transplant/ (7) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/embryonic-stem-cell (8) https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/stc-basics/ (9) https://stemcell.ucla.edu/induced-pluripotent-stem-cells (10) https://www.betteraging.com/aging-science/what-are-unipotent-stem-cells/ (11) https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-unipotent-cells (12) https://www.jstor.org/stable/23209559 (13) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726839/ (14) https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5 Stem cells.docx 17.53 kB · 0 downloads Excellent, report on stem cells, I like this article you have created. 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tuti9064 Posted December 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2023 On 12/10/2023 at 7:24 AM, Vmedvil said: Excellent, report on stem cells, I like this article you have created. Thanks! I hope to keep it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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