Dokumen tersebut membahas terapi sel punca untuk penyakit Parkinson. Secara singkat, dokumen menjelaskan bahwa pada awalnya digunakan transplantasi jaringan fetal untuk meningkatkan produksi dopamin, namun kini penelitian mengarah pada penggunaan sel punca dewasa dan embrionik untuk meregenerasi neuron yang rusak serta mengobati gejala penyakit tersebut. Ada beberapa tantangan kritis yang perlu diatasi seperti efikasi rendah transplantasi

9. Blastocyst - from In Vitro Fertilization Clinic Inner Cell Mass (Stem Cells) “ Blueprint” cells A primer on Human Embryonic Stem Cells A Blastocyst is a hollow ball of cells with a small clump of stem cells inside

10. “ Blueprint” cells Human Embryonic Stem Cells Pipette Stem Cells To remove the stem cells, the Blastocyst is opened and the stem cells removed with a pipette Blastocyst - from In Vitro Fertilization Clinic Stem Cells “ Blueprint” cells A Blastocyst is a hollow ball of cells with a small clump of stem cells inside

11. Pipette Pipette Stem Cells Petri Dish Human Embryonic Stem Cells To remove the stem cells, the Blastocyst is broken open and the stem cells removed with a pipette(an ultra thin glass tube) The stem cells are placed in a dish and are fed and cared for (each blastocyst = 1 stem cell line) Stem Cells “ Blueprint” cells Blastocyst - from In Vitro Fertilization Clinic Stem Cells “ Blueprint” cells A Blastocyst is a hollow ball of cells with a small clump of stem cells inside

12. Neuron Muscle cell Pancreatic Islet Petri Dish Stem Cells Different chemicals / molecules are added to the stem cells to make them become specific types of cells. Growth factors Chemical cues

13. Aplikasi Potensial terapi Stem Cell Brain: Parkinson, stroke & Alzheimer Blood: Leukemia & Sickle Cell anemia Heart Disease: AMI Pancreas: DM Skin: Burns Muscle: Muscular dystrophy Liver: Cirrhosis hepatis Spinal Cord: Spinal Injury Bone/Cartilago: Arthritis, Osteoporosis & Injuries Degenerative diseases of many tissues and organs might be treated by transplanting either stem cells or stem cell derived material

24. The neurons of the nigro-striatal pathway degenerate resulting in decreased dopamine in the striatrum.

25. Tetapi ada pertanyaan mendasar, apakah sel tersebut berpotensi untuk menjadi tumor pada masa mendatang?