Stem Cells

are cells that keep their ability to divide and differentiate into different types of cells.

Figure 1.1.6 shows some of the different pathways that stem cells can follow.

Stem cells are seen by many people working in medicine as a potentially promising hope for therapies and further research into just how the human body functions.

Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell#Key_stem_cell_research_events

“Medical researchers believe that stem cell therapy has the potential to dramatically change the treatment of human disease. A number of adult stem cell therapies already exist, particularly bone marrow transplants that are used to treat leukemia. In the future, medical researchers anticipate being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat a wider variety of diseases including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage, amongst a number of other impairments and conditions. However, there still exists a great deal of social and scientific uncertainty surrounding stem cell research, which could possibly be overcome through public debate and future research, and further education of the public………………………………….. Stem cells, however, are already used extensively in research, and some scientists do not see cell therapy as the first goal of the research, but see the investigation of stem cells as a goal worthy in itself.”

Stargardt disease 

is one of the most frequently occurring form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The vision loss linked with Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.

Source http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/42863/title/Eye-Stem-Cell-Therapy-Moves-Ahead/ accessed 10.08.2015

“Scientists in Korea have injected human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal support cells into the eyes of four men with macular degeneration, according to a study published today (April 30) in Stem Cell Reports. Three of the men experienced vision improvements in their treated eyes in the year following the procedure, while the fourth man’s vision remained largely the same. The trial adds to growing evidence that injecting hESC-derived cells is feasible, feeding hopes for their future therapeutic use. This latest study follows on two papers published inThe Lancet in 2012 and 2014, which similarly demonstrated that hESC-derived cells could be safely injected into the space behind the retina in macular degeneration patients. These studies, sponsored by the Massachusetts-based company Advanced Cell Technology (now Ocata Therapeutics), were the first published accounts describing the application of hESC-based therapies in humans.