Stem Cell Research has caught the attention of many worldwide.
The attention is well earned though considering that this research
may have extraordinary potential for the human race. If legal these
cells could serve as a sort of repair system for the body. The reason
why Stem Cells are awaiting use is because they can theoretically
divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the human or
specimen is still living.
Stem Cells vary in types there is a very complex Embryonic Stem
Cell which as their name suggests the stem cells are derived from the
Embryos. These eggs are not developed in the female they are
developed in vitro. The process of which the eggs are developed and
grown in the laboratory is known as the cell culture. During this
process stem cells are isolated by transferring the inner cell mass
into a plastic laboratory culture dish. This dish contains a nutrient
broth better known as a culture medium. The dish is then overwhelmed
with the cells that divided and spread over the surface of the dish.
If not controlled in a laboratory the spreading would almost be
nearly uncontrollable. But they have all been coated with embryonic
mouse skin cells that prevent the spreading or growth of the cell.
This therefore prevents the cells from dividing. This coating of
mouse feeder cells is also used to give the inner cell mass cells a
sticky surface to which the cells can attach to the culture dish. The
feeder cells are also used to release nutrients into the culture
medium. Considering the recent controversy over the mouse feeder
cells scientists are still in search for growing embryonic stem cells
without using mouse feeder cells.
Though stem cells may seem to be easily understood the reality
of the matter is that stem cells contain much complexity. The one
adult stem cell can chose many pathways. This includes Hematopoietie
stem cells which give rise to all the types of blood cells. Bone
marrow stromal cells...