This document discusses stem cells, including their properties, where they are found, and potential applications. It defines stem cells as unspecialized cells that can renew themselves and differentiate into specialized cell types. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and found in early embryos, while adult stem cells are multipotent and found in tissues like bone marrow. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be generated from adult cells through genetic reprogramming. Potential uses of stem cells include modeling diseases, bone marrow transplantation, and human trials for conditions like spinal cord injuries and macular degeneration.

1. Dr. Danny Kainer
&
Anitha Iyer

3. 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

4. What is a stem cell?
Identical stem cells
Stem cell
SELF-
RENEWAL
(copying)
Stem cell
Specialized cells
DIFFERENTIATION
(specializing)

5. Properties of stem cells
they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for
long periods
they are unspecialized
they can give rise to specialized cell types.

6. Where are stem cells found?
embryonic stem cells
blastocyst - a very early
embryo
adult stem cells
fetus, baby and throughout life

7. 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

8. Embryonic stem (ES) cells:
Where we find them
blastocyst
outer layer of cells
= ‘trophectoderm’
cells inside
= ‘inner cell mass’
embryonic stem cells taken from
the inner cell mass
culture in the lab
to grow more cells
fluid with nutrients

9. Embryonic stem (ES) cells:
What they can do
embryonic stem cells
PLURIPOTENT
all possible types of specialized
cells
differentiation

10. neuron
s
Embryonic stem (ES) cells:
Challenges
embryonic stem cells
skin
blood
live
r?

11. Adult stem cells:
Where we find them
muscles
skin
surface of the eye brain
breast
intestines (gut)
testicles
bone marrow

12. Tissue stem cells:
What they can do

13. 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 of
specialized cells
culture iPS cells in the lab
differentiation

14. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)
cell from the body (skin)
genetic reprograming
pluripotent stem cell
(iPS)
differentiation

15. Potential uses of human stem cells
http://video.pbs.org/video/1754537562/

16. Experimental model system
Heart muscle cells beating in a petri dish!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/tv/index.php?project=70&pr
ogram=746
1:37 – 2:43
Videos by the Exploratorium

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

18. Human trials:
 The FDA approved the first clinical trial involving human
embryonic stem cells on January 23, 2009.
Geron Corporation - spinal cord injuries
 In 2010
Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy and Dry Age-Related
Macular Degeneration
 In 2013
Severe myopia

19. Stem cells & Parkinson’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCgLythe00
Stem cells and ALS
 Astrocytes in the spinal cord. Year 3 toward human
trial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tplx_ftKdYc
Stem cells and Arthritis
http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_stone_the_bio_future_of_j
oint_replacement