Stem Cell PowerDr. Danny Kainer

& Anitha Iyer

What are stem cells and why are they important? Stem cells have the potential to develop into

many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.

in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system

What is a stem cell?

Identical stem cells

Stem cell

SELF-RENEWAL(copying)

Stem cell

Specialized cells

DIFFERENTIATION(specializing)

Properties of stem cellsthey are capable of dividing and renewing

themselves for long periods

they are unspecialized

they can give rise to specialized cell types.

Where are stem cells found?

embryonic stem cells

blastocyst - a very early embryo

adult stem cellsfetus, baby and throughout life

A few terms……

Potency: A measure of how many types of specialized cells a stem cell can make

Totipotent: Each cell can develop into a new individual

Ex. Cells from early (1-3 days) embryos

Pluripotent: Can make all types of specialized cells in the body.

Ex. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent

Multipotent: Can make multiple types of specialized cells, but not all types

Ex. Adult stem cells are multipotent

Embryonic stem (ES) cells:Where we find them

blastocyst

outer layer of cells= ‘trophectoderm’

cells inside = ‘inner cell mass’

embryonic stem cells taken fromthe inner cell mass

culture in the labto grow more cells

fluid with nutrients

Embryonic stem (ES) cells:What they can do

embryonic stem cells

PLURIPOTENT

all possible types of specialized cells

differentiation

neurons

grow under conditions B

Embryonic stem (ES) cells:Challenges

embryonic stem cells

skin

grow under conditions A

blood

grow under conditions C

liver

grow under conditions D?

Adult stem cells:Where we find them

muscles

skin

surface of the eye brain

breast

intestines (gut)testicles

bone marrow

Tissue stem cells:What they can do

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)

cell from the body

‘genetic reprogramming’= add certain genes to the cell

induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell

behaves like an embryonic stem cell

Advantage: no need for embryos! all possible types ofspecialized cells

culture iPS cells in the lab

differentiation

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)

cell from the body (skin)

genetic reprogramingpluripotent stem cell

(iPS)

differentiation

Potential uses of human stem cellshttp://video.pbs.org/video/1754537562/

Experimental model systemHeart muscle cells beating in a petri dish!http://www.exploratorium.edu/tv/index.php?project=70&program=7461:37 – 2:43

Videos by the Exploratorium

Bone marrow transplant:Example of adult stem cell-based therapy

Human trials: The FDA approved the first clinical trial involving

human embryonic stem cells on January 23, 2009. Geron Corporation - spinal cord injuries

In 2010Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy and Dry Age-

Related Macular Degeneration

In 2013Severe myopia

Stem cells & Parkinson’s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCgLythe00

Stem cells and ALSAstrocytes in the spinal cord. Year 3 toward

human trialhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tplx_ftKdYc

Stem cells and Arthritis

http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_stone_the_bio_future_of_joint_replacement