Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into many different cell types. There are two main types: embryonic stem cells found in embryos, and adult stem cells found in tissues. Stem cell therapies work by isolating healthy stem cells and transplanting them into damaged areas where they develop into replacement cells and tissues. Some applications discussed include using cord blood stem cells to treat leukemia, dermal papilla stem cells to treat baldness, and dental pulp stem cells to regenerate teeth. However, the use of embryonic stem cells raises some ethical issues.

1. The therapeutic
uses of stem cells
Tiasha Talapatra
Belise Umuhoza
Sheila Kagaju
G11A
Biology HL

2. WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?
 An undifferentiated cell of a multicellular organism which is capable of
giving rise to indefinitely more cells of the same type, and from which
certain other kinds of cell arise by differentiation.
 Human embryos consist entirely of stem cells in their early stages, but,
gradually the cells in the embryo commit themselves to a pattern of
differentiation.
 Once committed, a cell may divide several more times, but all of the
cells formed will differentiate in the same way and so they are no
longer stem cells.

3. EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
 These are found in a pre-implantation stage embryo.
 They multiply extremely fast.
 They are multipotent, i.e.. They can develop into any
type of cell, tissue or organ in the human body.

4. ADULT STEM CELLS
 An adult stem cell is thought to be an undifferentiated
cell, found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ
that can renew itself and can differentiate to yield some
or all of the major specialized cell types of the tissue or
organ.
 Their primary role is to maintain and repair the tissue in
which they are found.
 These are found in the umbilical cord, fat, bone marrow,
etc.

5. THEORY OF THERAPY
 After the stem cells multiply, the healthy cells are
separated from the from the diseased cells and
reinserted back into the body of the patient.
 Human clinical trials show that these new cells go to the
diseased or injured body part and begin to generate
healthy cells and tissues.

6. HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL
TRANSPLANT (HSCT)
 Stem cells that give rise to the lymphocytes and other cells of the
immune system, also make blood cells, are called hematopoietic stem
cells.
 HSC’s are characterized by the presence of CD 34 antigen.
 The process of taking stem cells from one person and putting them
into another is therefore called “ HCST”.
 This is used to treat cancer patients with conditions such as
leukemia and lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia.
 This is used in Providing a functional immune system in a person with
SCID.
 This is also used in restoring the hematopoietic system.

8. LEUKEMIA
 Stem cells obtained from the placenta can be used to treat
patients, especially children, who have developed certain forms
of leukemia.
 The patient’s blood type is matched with cord blood in the
blood bank and if the suitable type is available, the patient is
given chemotherapy drugs that kill all bone marrow cells
including the ones causing the leukemia.
 The selected cord blood is taken and thawed and introduced
to the patient’s blood system. The hematopoietic stem cells
establish themselves in the patient’s bone marrow, where they
divide repeatedly to build up a population of bone marrow cells
to replace those killed by the chemotherapy drugs.

9. STEM CELLS IN TREATING
BALDNESS
 As hair follicles contain stem cells – derma papilla, they
can be used to erase baldness.
 The stem cells can be taken from existing hair follicles
and multiplied in cultures.
 The new follicles can be implanted in the scalp and this
will result in the growth of new hair.

12. DIABETES
 Diabetic patients lose the
function of their insulin-
producing beta cells of the
pancreas.
 Human embryonic stem cells
may be grown in cell cultures
and stimulate to form insulin-
producing cells , that can be
transplanted into the patient

13. BLINDNESS
 Stem cells are taken from a healthy eye and are
developed into contact lens in labs.
 The lenses are worn by the patient for 3 weeks. Then
the the stem cells migrate from the lens to the eye and
begin the repair process.
 This heals the damaged cornea and improves vision.

16. MISSING TEETH
 The dental pulp of human
contains stem cells. These can
be taken and cultured in a lab.
 Then, the cultured stem cells can
be implanted in a tooth bud in
gum which then fuses with jaw
bone and release chemicals that
encourage nerves & blood
vessels to connect with gum.
 As a result, it will give rise to a
new tooth/ dentin within
approximately 2 months.

17. HEART DAMAGE

18. ETHICAL ISSUES
 Human embryonic stem cell are isolated from few days
old blastocyst as well as fetal tissues
 Many profilers believe that human life becomes a human
person at the time of fertilization
 Others disagree : they believe that an embryo has
potential to develop into a person, but is not a person
itself.