Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
05:08
Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model
Published on: February 17, 2019
[Progress and clashes in stem cell therapy research]
1Hubrecht Laboratorium/Nederlands Instituut voor Ontwikkelingsbiologie, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht en Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Hart-Long Centrum, Utrecht. christin@niob.knaw.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|January 18, 2007
Summary
Stem cell therapy offers hope but faces scientific hurdles. While promising for some conditions, most applications require further research before clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Stem cell therapy involves transplanting healthy cells to repair damaged tissues.
- Public and media enthusiasm often outpaces scientific evidence.
Purpose:
- To critically evaluate the current state of stem cell therapy applications.
- To differentiate between established uses and areas of ongoing research.
Summary:
- Most stem cell therapy applications are still in preclinical stages.
- Established uses include treatments for blood, skin, bone, and cartilage diseases.
- Fraudulent claims, like the discredited Korean research, highlight the need for scientific rigor.
Impact:
- Provides a realistic perspective on stem cell therapy's potential and limitations.
- Guides patients and clinicians by clarifying which applications are scientifically validated.
- Emphasizes the importance of ongoing preclinical and clinical research for advancing regenerative medicine.
Related Concept Videos
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:28Forced Transdifferentiation
Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...