Stem Cells and Cellular Differentiation Cellular differentiation is the process that produces specialized cells. Differentiation is directed by the genetic information encoded inside the cell’s DNA. It is passed from parent to offspring in the eggs and sperm cells

Stem Cells In animals, a cell that can differentiate into many different cell types is called a stem cell. Stem cells generally occur in clumps that differentiate into different tissue layers, such epithelial, muscle, and nerve tissues. When a stem cell divides, each daughter cell will either remain as a stem cell or it can become a specialized cell. There are two types of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any kind of cell. Tissue stem cells exist within specialized tissue and are only able to differentiate into certain types of cells. Tissue stem cells are also known as adult stem cells.

Cord Blood Cell Banking The blood found in the umbilical cord immediately following birth is a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells are similar to tissue stem cells and can develop into various kinds of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). The blood collected from the cord can be banked (or stored) in the event it is needed later in the child’s or a sibling’s life.

Tissue Stem Cell Transplantation Stem cell research is discovering medical treatments for injuries and diseases. Both cord blood and bone marrow stem cells have been used to treat diseases such as leukemia. In leukemia treatment, all of the diseased white blood cells must be removed and the bone marrow must be killed. This can be done through chemotherapy which targets the bone marrow cells and the white blood cells. Cord blood stem cells are collected from healthy blood and it is injected into a patient’s blood after the diseased cells have been killed. The healthy cells then grow in the patient’s bone marrow and produce healthy, cancer-free blood cells. In a successful stem cell transplant, the donor blood stem cells grow in the patient’s own bone marrow. Eventually, they produce healthy blood cells

Regeneration and Tissue Engineering Regeneration results in the repair or replacement of tissues or body parts that have been damaged. Examples include muscle, skin, and bone tissues. Other tissues, such as nerve cells, cannot regenerate naturally. Scientists are researching ways to regenerate human body tissues and parts that do not normally regenerate. This field is known as tissue engineering. In complex animals, certain tissues have the ability to regenerate or repair themselves after they have been damaged. Examples include muscle, skin, and bone tissues. Other tissues, such as nerve cells, cannot regenerate naturally. This is useful in treating spinal cord injuries and in different types of tissue grafting, which involves providing replacement tissues for patients. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/scintro/