Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. These are special human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells. Stem cells are the body’s raw materials; cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. They provide new cells for the body as it grows, and replace specialized cells that are damaged or lost. Moreover, they can divide over and over again to produce new cells. They are defined as precursor cells that have the capacity to self-renew and to generate multiple mature cell types. They have the potential to become specialized cells, such as blood cells, muscle cells, and brain cells.
Stem cells are a unique and powerful tool for research and medical treatments. Scientists use them to understand human biology and develop new strategies for therapy. By creating iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) from patient blood or bone marrow, scientists can study the characteristics of disease cells. These cells can also be used to test potential drugs.
For the time being, stem cell research is limited to treating certain degenerative conditions. However, stem cells may restore some functions, such as the heart. In the future, healthcare providers may be able to create healthy heart cells in a lab and transplant them into patients with a damaged heart.
According to Coherent Market Insights, high cost of stem cell therapy is expected to hinder growth of the global stem cells market. For instance, Bioinformant— a research firm engaged in stem cell research, reported that the cost of stem cell therapy ranges between US$ 5,000-8,000 per patient and in some cases it may rise as much as US$ 25,000 or more depending on the complexity of the procedure.
The treatment may also target other conditions, such as type 1 diabetes and spinal cord injuries. With this knowledge, doctors can test new medicines that target these problems. For patients suffering from various degenerative diseases, stem cell therapy can help treat these ailments. It can also be used to treat soft tissue and bone injuries. People with chronic joint pain may be good candidates for the procedure. During the two-week period before the procedure, patients should avoid taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the process has many potential complications, and is not suitable for everyone; the procedure is highly invasive.
Besides treatment, stem cell research can also be beneficial for medical research. Researchers have discovered that merely switching genes on or off can cause stem cells to differentiate. By studying these effects, researchers can discover the cause of specific diseases. Many congenital disabilities and cancer are caused by abnormal cell differentiation. This novel technology can improve these conditions.
People suffering from a degenerative condition are a good candidate for a stem cell procedure. Stem cells offer many benefits. It can help in determining the severity of a congenital disease. It can be used to diagnose a variety of diseases, and can also be used to cure injuries, including those that are caused by genetic defects.
Moreover, stem cells are capable of differentiating into any type of cell that make-up the human body and thus, are capable of producing non-regenerative cells such as neural and myocardial cells. Since stem cells have the ability to turn into various other types of cells, scientists believe that they can be useful for treating and understanding diseases.
People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with cancer, type 1 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, osteoarthritis, among others. Scientists also want to use stem cells to understand disease and find drugs that might treat it.
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