1. By: Skylar Dredge, Tyler DeShields, Micah Hault, and Logan Metzgar
Stem Cell Research
By: Skylar Dredge, Tyler DeShields, Micah Hault, and Logan Metzgar

2. What Are Stem Cells
Stem Cells are cells that can self renew and make new cells.
They can become and create other cells such as blood cells, tissue cells, brain cells, and muscle cells.

3. Diseases Stem Cells can Treat
Diabetes
Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s
Heart disease
Stroke
Birth defects
Cancer
Regain sight or hearing

4. Types of Stem Cells There are three different types of Stem Cells.
Adult Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

5. Pros of Adult Stem Cells* Research
Transdifferentiation and reprogramming of these cells is possible but is not well studied.
Thought to be less likely to be rejected if used in transplants./
Success has been demonstrated in various clinical applications.
*Adult Stem Cells- Adult Stem Cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the body that divide and replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissue.

6. Pros of Embryonic Stem Cells* Research
Can maintain and grow for one year or more in culture.
Established protocols for maintenance in culture.
ESCs are pluripotent cells that can generate most cell types.
By studying ESCs, more can be learned about the process of development.
*Embryonic Stem Cells- Stem Cells derived from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of a human embryo.

7. Pros of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells* Research
Abundant somatic cells of donor can be used
Issues of histocompatibility with donor/recipient transplants can be avoided.
Very useful for drug development studies.
Information learned from the “reprogramming” process may be transferrable for in vivo therapies to reprogram damaged or diseased cells/tissue.
*Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells- Cells that are self-replicating, are derived from human embryos or human fetal tissue, and are known to develop into cells and tissues of 3 primary germ layers.

8. Cons of Adult Stem Cell Research
Usually a very small number in each tissue making them difficult to find and purify.
Currently there is no technology available to generate large quantities of stem cells.

9. Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Unsure whether they would be used in transplants.
If using ESC directly for tissue transplants, they can cause tumors or cancer development.

10. Cons of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research
Viruses are currently used to introduce embryonic genes and has been shown to cause in mouse studies.
iPS cells have the potential to become embryos if exposed to the right conditions.

11. Video on Stem Cell Research

12. Works Cited
"What Are Stem Cells? | Stem Cells | University of Nebraska Medical Center." What Are Stem Cells? | Stem Cells | University of Nebraska Medical Center. Web. 12 Oct <
"Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Vision In Preliminary Human Test." NPR. NPR. Web. 12 Oct <
"Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons." Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons. Web. 12 Oct <
Park, Alice. "Stem Cell Miracle? New Therapies May Cure Chronic Conditions like Alzheimer's." Time. Time Inc., 25 June Web. 12 Oct <