Stem cells are special cells that can make copies of themselves and turn into different types of cells in our body. There are two main types of stem cells:
Embryonic Stem Cells: These can change into more than 200 different cell types. This means they can become many kinds of cells in our body.
Adult Stem Cells: These can change into a smaller number of cell types. For example, blood stem cells can make red and white blood cells.
Why Are Stem Cells Important in Medicine?
Regenerative Medicine: Stem cells can help fix damaged tissues. For instance, they can help repair heart tissue after someone has a heart attack.
Transplantation: In the UK, more than 50,000 stem cell transplants happen each year. These are often done for diseases like leukemia.
Disease Research: Stem cells help scientists learn more about diseases. In 2020 alone, over $200 million was spent on stem cell research.
In summary, stem cells have a lot of potential to help improve medical treatments and find new ways to heal people.
Stem cells are special cells that can make copies of themselves and turn into different types of cells in our body. There are two main types of stem cells:
Embryonic Stem Cells: These can change into more than 200 different cell types. This means they can become many kinds of cells in our body.
Adult Stem Cells: These can change into a smaller number of cell types. For example, blood stem cells can make red and white blood cells.
Why Are Stem Cells Important in Medicine?
Regenerative Medicine: Stem cells can help fix damaged tissues. For instance, they can help repair heart tissue after someone has a heart attack.
Transplantation: In the UK, more than 50,000 stem cell transplants happen each year. These are often done for diseases like leukemia.
Disease Research: Stem cells help scientists learn more about diseases. In 2020 alone, over $200 million was spent on stem cell research.
In summary, stem cells have a lot of potential to help improve medical treatments and find new ways to heal people.