stem cell research new horizons in medicine In the late 1990s, American scientists developed a method of culturing embryonic

stem cells cells with the potential to develop into any of the specialised tissues the body needs. This raised hopes of a major medical breakthrough the ability to replace diseased or worn out body parts with new, healthy tissue. Although there are still many technical and ethical issues to be resolved, the new techniques have the potential to revolutionise medicine. Embryonic stem cells The early human embryo contains many stem cells which can be harvested and cultured in the laboratory to produce huge numbers of undifferentiated cells. By changing the culture conditions scientists have persuaded some of the stem cells to differentiate into new tissues including cartilage, bone, nerve and intestine. Whole organs for transplants will be the ultimate challenge! Therapeutic stem cell cloning In this technique, DNA is taken from the cells of a person and used to produce embryonic stem cells, which may then be differentiated into new tissues or organs. The hope is that this technology will help people who are seriously ill with problems ranging from diabetes and Parkinson s disease to heart attacks and spinal injuries. The technique still needs a lot of development, but its medical potential is enormous. Adult stem cells Adults have stem cells in their bodies but not very many of them. What s more, they can be difficult to extract and to use, and most can only form a limited range of different cell types. However, they are already used successfully in bone marrow transplants and there is some promising work on using them to repair damaged heart muscle and to reverse Parkinson s disease. Interest in the future of this technology is growing steadily. more information: www.abpischools.org.uk Early human embryo Embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cell removed Mass of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells Cultured in laboratory Different culture conditions Whole organs Muscle cells Gut

cells Nerve cells ? New tissue returned to patient Concentrated/cultured to give a mass of adult stem cells OR Stem cells cultured to develop new differentiated tissue/organ EITHER Stem cells injected back into patient to produce new tissue where it is needed eg heart Adult stem cells removed from tissue such as blood or bone marrow Person who needs new organ or tissue Person who needs new organ or tissue Adult cell from patient Human ovum Remove nucleus empty ovum New pre-embryo cell containing patient DNA Embryonic development begins Stem cells removed from embryo and cultured to grow into required organ or tissue Organ or tissue transplanted into patient with no rejection problems Mild electric shock Heart Kidney Spinal cord Insulin producing cells Neuron Bone marrow

Stem cells The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents stem cell research new horizons in medicine In the late 1990s, American scientists developed a method of culturing embryonic stem cells cells with the potential to develop into any of the specialised tissues the body needs. This raised hopes of a major medical breakthrough the ability to replace diseased or worn out body parts with new, healthy tissue. Although there are still many technical and ethical issues to be resolved, the new techniques have the potential to revolutionise medicine. Embryonic stem cells The early human embryo contains many stem cells which can be harvested and cultured in the laboratory to produce huge numbers of undifferentiated cells. By changing the culture conditions scientists have persuaded some of the stem cells to differentiate into new tissues including cartilage, bone, nerve and intestine. Whole organs for transplants will be the ultimate challenge! Therapeutic stem cell cloning In this technique, DNA is taken from the cells of a person and used to produce embryonic stem cells, which may then be differentiated into new tissues or organs. The hope is that this technology will help people who are seriously ill with problems ranging from diabetes and Parkinson s disease to heart attacks and spinal injuries. The technique still needs a lot of development, but its medical potential is enormous. Adult stem cells Adults have stem cells in their bodies but not very many of them. What s more, they can be difficult to extract and to use, and most can only form a limited range of different cell types. However, they are already used successfully in bone marrow transplants and there is some promising work on using them to repair damaged heart muscle and to reverse Parkinson s disease. Interest in the future of this technology is growing steadily. more information: www.abpischools.org.uk Early human embryo Embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cell removed Mass of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells Cultured in laboratory Different culture conditions Whole organs

Muscle cells Gut cells Nerve cells ? New tissue returned to patient Concentrated/cultured to give a mass of adult stem cells OR Stem cells cultured to develop new differentiated tissue/organ EITHER Stem cells injected back into patient to produce new tissue where it is needed eg heart Adult stem cells removed from tissue such as blood or bone marrow Person who needs new organ or tissue Person who needs new organ or tissue Adult cell from patient Human ovum Remove nucleus empty ovum New pre-embryo cell containing patient DNA Embryonic development begins Stem cells removed from embryo and cultured to grow into required organ or tissue Organ or tissue transplanted into patient with no rejection problems Mild electric shock Heart Kidney Spinal cord Insulin producing

cells Neuron Bone marrow Stem cells The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents