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Stem cell research in pakistan; past, present and future
Sayeda Anum Zahra1, Sayed Raheel Muzavir1, Sadia Ashraf1
1National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Stem cell research in Pakistan is in its early stages, with low publication output and few institutes. Collaboration between government, academia, and industry is crucial to advance this field and benefit patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Regenerative medicine
- Stem cell biology
Background:
- Stem cell treatments offer significant therapeutic potential across various disorders, including cancer, anemia, stroke, and heart conditions.
- Global investment in stem cell research varies, impacting research output and clinical translation between developed and developing nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current status of stem cell research in Pakistan.
- To identify strategies for improving stem cell research and its clinical application in Pakistan.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of global stem cell research investment and output.
- Assessment of Pakistan's current position in stem cell research publications and institutional involvement.
Main Results:
- Pakistan's stem cell research progress is significantly slower compared to developed nations and some neighboring developing countries.
- There is a low volume of publications and a limited number of institutions actively engaged in stem cell research in Pakistan.
- Significant investment is observed in advanced countries (USA, UK, Canada) and emerging investment in countries like Iran, Turkey, and India.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell research in Pakistan is nascent, requiring concerted efforts from government, academia, and industry.
- Promoting collaborative research is essential to accelerate progress and address the needs of patients with incurable disorders.
- Advancing stem cell research can lead to reduced economic losses associated with chronic diseases.
Background And Objectives:
Stem cells have proved to have great therapeutic potential as stem cell treatment is replacing traditional ways of treatment in different disorders like cancer, aplastic anemia, stroke, heart disorders. The developed and developing countries are investing differently in this area of research so research output and clinical translation of research greatly vary among developed and developing countries. Present study was done to investigate the current status of stem cells research in Pakistan and ways to improve it.
Results:
Many advanced countries (USA, UK and Canada etc.) are investing heavily in stem cell research and treatment. Different developing countries like Iran, Turkey and India are also following the developed countries and investing a lot in stem cells research. Pakistan is also making efforts in establishing this field to get desired benefits but unfortunately the progress is at very low pace. If Government plays an active role along with private sector, stem cell research in Pakistan can be boosted up. The numbers of publications from Pakistan are very less compared to developed and neighboring countries and Pakistan also has very less number of institutes working in this area of research.
Conclusions:
Stem cells research is at its initial stages in Pakistan and there is great need to bring Government, academia and industry together so they could make serious efforts to promote research in this very important field. This will help millions of patients suffering from incurable disorders and will also reduce economic loss.