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| What are Stem Cells? |
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What is Cord Blood?
After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut
and the baby is separated from the cord and placenta,
the placenta is then delivered. The cord blood is
the blood that is left in the umbilical cord and
placenta. The blood is the baby’s blood, not
the mothers. T he umbilical cord, placenta and the
blood that they contain have been discarded as waste
material in the past. However cord blood is a rich
source of adult stem cells.
What are Stem Cells? |
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Adult Stem Cells are
different to any other cells in the body. They are
sometimes called the building blocks of the body
because they are unspecialised cells that can become
specialised cells.
Stem Cells have the ability to reproduce or ‘replicate’
themselves and these replicated cells are called
‘daughter’ cells. The daughter cells
have the ability to differentiate into different
cells that the body needs for wear and repair, however
some of the daughter cells will remain as stem cells.
Stem Cells are found in various tissues in the body,
though in very small amounts. An example is that
there are Stem Cells in the blood, can replicate
themselves and the daughter cells can become red
blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells
that fight infection and cells that help in the
clotting process.
However one of the exciting things that scientists
have discovered about adult stem cells is that stem
cells from one type of tissue can be persuaded to
differentiate into cells from different types of
tissue. For example stem cells from blood have been
persuaded to become other cells such as heart muscle
cells.
Where else can Stem Cells be obtained from?
Adult Stem Cells is a misleading term, as these
are stem cells that come from a formed individual
and can come from umbilical cord blood, babies and
children as well as adults. Adult stem cells can
also be taken from the bone marrow and the circulating
blood as well as from umbilical cord blood.
There are also Embryonic Stem Cells, but these are
the subject of major ethical debate. Embryonic Stem
Cells are not discussed here as Cell Sense is not
involved in this controversial area. There is no
ethical concern over the collection and use of adult
Stem Cells from umbilical cord blood. |
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| ©
Copyright 2006 Cell Sense Pty Ltd - - - |
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