stem cells in the spotlight louisa a. stark, ph.d
TRANSCRIPT
Stem Cells in the SpotlightStem Cells in the Spotlight
Louisa A. Stark, Ph.D.
OverviewOverview
What is a Stem Cell ? Why are we interested in stem cells? Where do stem cells exist? How are stem cells collected ? Why are stem cells interesting to researchers ? What are current and future stem cell
treatments? What support exists for stem cell research?
The building blocks of the body
A cell whose job in the body is not yet determined
Every other cell in the body “stems” from this type of cell
What is a Stem Cell?What is a Stem Cell?
A stem cell specializes into a particular cell depending upon the signals it receives
What is a Stem Cell?What is a Stem Cell?Stem Cell Guy!
To repair a damaged tissue that can not heal
itself.
To repair a damaged tissue that can not heal
itself. spinal cord nerve cells
diabetes (pancreas)
heart disease
blood disorders
burns
neurological disorders
Why Are We Interested in Stem Cells?Why Are We Interested in Stem Cells?
““Adult” (developed) Adult” (developed) tissuestissuesbone
marrow
Where do Stem Cells Exist?Where do Stem Cells Exist?
Umbilical cord Umbilical cord bloodblood
Fetus
Where do Stem Cells Exist?Where do Stem Cells Exist?
Where do Stem Cells Exist?Where do Stem Cells Exist?
Early embryoBlastocyst
Developing embryo
allCan become
types of cells in the body
mostCan become
types of cells in the body
some
Can become
types of cells in the body
Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?
Use of some of these kinds of stem cells is
controversial.
Bone marrow
Blood
How are Adult Stem Cells Collected?How are Adult Stem Cells Collected?
How are Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Collected?How are Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Collected?
Prematurely terminated fetuses
How are Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cells Collected?How are Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cells Collected?
Associated
Press
Surplus in vitro fertilized (IVF) eggs
What is a stem cell?
Where are stem cells found?
How are stem cells collected?
Stem Cells in the SpotlightStem Cells in the Spotlight
from IVF embryos
Nearly 400,000 IFV embryos are in storage in the US; almost as many are discarded each year
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Stem Cell Lines for Federally-funded ResearchStem Cell Lines for Federally-funded Research
therapeutic cloning/regenerative medicine
Our genetic material, DNA, is packaged into chromosomes.
Every cell in our body has the same genetic material
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
DNACell
Chromosomes
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic
cloning
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic
cloning
Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic
cloning
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic
cloning
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic
cloning
Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory
Creating stem cells in the laboratory
IVF embryos
Therapeutic cloning/regenerative medicine
Stem Cells in the SpotlightStem Cells in the Spotlight
allCan become
types of cells in the body
mostCan become
types of cells in the body
some
Can become
types of cells in the body
Leukemia Diabetes Spinal Cord Injuries
Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?
Leukemia Disease: cancer of the blood
Symptoms: easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue
Treatments:
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
stem cell therapy bone marrow transplant
circulating blood stem cells
umbilical cord blood stem cells
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
Can become SOME types of cells
DiabetesDisease: Type I, disorder of the
body’s immune system against the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas
Symptoms: extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness, vision changes; can lead to blindness, kidney or heart diseaseTreatments:
insulin injections
islet transplants
stem cell therapy (experimental models) embryonic stem cells from mice can specialize into
insulin-producing cells
researchers are exploring using proteins to spur cell differentiation
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
Can become MOST types of cells
Spinal Cord Injuries Damage is irreversible in a nerve cell
Structures: dendrites and axons
Experimental treatments (model systems)
treat ESCs to mature into nerve cells before transplantation (in vitro)
directly implant and depend on signals from the brain to mature the cells lab rats transplanted with ESCs
human ESCs transplanted into rats
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
Can become ALL types of cells
Neuron
axon
dendrites
Heart Disease Adult bone marrow stem cells injected into heart arteries are believed to improve cardiac function in victims of heart attack or heart failure
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
Rheumatoid Arthritis In human trials, joint pain lessened temporarily after adult stem cell therapy in some patients, and some then responded better to standard drug therapy
How might cloned embryonic stem cells be
used? Exact genetic match for patient
Potential to become all types of cells
Challenge: how to direct the stem cells to specialize
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
How about using stem cells for cosmetics? Fat tissue with stem
cells taken from stomach or thighs
Used to create new fat cells and coax the growth of new blood vessels Stem cells from fat could be used for repairing heart muscle, bone fractures, and other stem cell therapies
Doctors repaired a large gap in a young girl’s skull using a bone graft and fat stem cells
Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments
Could stem cells be used for organ transplants?
Choose the right type of stem cell
Coax to grow and divide
Feed with signals to differentiate
Provide a physical scaffold
Stem Cell Treatments in the FutureStem Cell Treatments in the Future
Could we direct stem cells in the body to behave a certain way?
Stem Cell Treatments in the FutureStem Cell Treatments in the Future
SCIENCE SUMMARY The basics of stem cells
Current and future research and medical treatment possibilities
The different types of stem cells
Early embryonic ALL cells
spinal cord injuriestherapeutic cloning
Embryonic/fetal MOST cells
diabetes limited research resources
Adult SOME cells
leukemia possibly specialized already
Stem Cells in the SpotlightStem Cells in the Spotlight
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives PassedPassed
“Stem Cell Research Enhancement “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act”Act”
Bill would allow the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund stem cell research using embryos from fertility clinics that otherwise would be discarded
Embryos could only be used if the donors agreed and were not paid
Stem Cell Legislation – May 2005Stem Cell Legislation – May 2005
Vote = 238 to 194 *short of the 2/3 supermajority necessary to override a presidential veto
53% of adults back “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act”
35% disagree with the proposal
12% didn't know or declined to answer
Public Opinion Poll – Salt Lake Tribune June 8-10, 2005
In support of this legislation: Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett
and Rep. Jim Matheson
Oppose this legislation: Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon
When does life begin?
Should surplus IVF embryos be used for research?
Is an embryo from therapeutic cloning considered a human life?
What is acceptable use of stem cell technology? Medical treatments? Cosmetic enhancements?
What do you want your tax money to fund?
ControversiesControversies
More Information – http://gslc.genetics.utah.eduMore Information – http://gslc.genetics.utah.eduGenetic Science Learning Center Website
The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics University of Utah
Special ThanksSpecial Thanks