My Favorite Cell Research

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Recommended: Importance of stem cell research

Daniel Long My Favorite Cell: The Stem Cell Stem cells are amazing cells that all humans possess throughout their bodies. In today’s world of science, stem cells have become important factors in scientific research. Research with stem cells has been increasing exponentially over the last decade. Around the world, stem cells have been studied to help treat various health problems. The extent to what stem cell research can do is very wide reaching. The existence of stem cells was theorized by Alexander Maximow in the late 1800s. He believed that cells originated from a one type of cell. He was not far off with this theory. One of the facts that make stem cells so important and such a great asset to healthcare research is that stem cells are not differentiated. Within our bodies, the cells that make up our bodies are programmed to become all of the specific structures in our body such as blood cells or muscle cells. Stem cells do not have this intrinsic programming. They can therefore become any type of cell. When a sperm and egg combine to create a zygote, the zygote rapidly divides which will eventually develop into an embryo and, of course, eventually a human being. The cells that the zygote divides into are the first of these stem cells and develop into the cells that make up the body. When a baby is born, these excess stem cells are in the amniotic fluid and umbilical cord of the baby. However, stem cells still exist within adults, but are usually dormant for the rest of a person’s life. Stem cells remain spread around the tissues, muscles, bones, and blood. Although there is a lot that scientists do not know about stem cells, these stem cells can be activated by various factors like disease and can serve to repl... ... middle of paper ... ...cells to help solve numerous medical problems. In conclusion, there are infinite possibilities with stem cells. Stem cells are an exciting new field in science and can help cure illnesses that have been thought to be incurable. It is an interesting field to be involved in. Who knows what is possible for stem cell therapy in the future. Hodgson D, A. Behfar, L.V. Zingman, etc. 2004: Stable benefit of embryonic stem cell therapy in myocardial infarction. American journal of physiology. Vol. 287. p. 471-479 Hiyama E and K. Hiyama. 2007: Telomere and telomerase in stem cells. British Journal of Cancer. 96.p.1020- 1024 Lindvall L, Z. Kokaia, and A. Martinez. 2004: Stem cell therapy for human neurodegenerative disorders–how to make it work. Nature Medicine. 10. P. 42-50 Potten C.S. 1997: Stem Cells. Paterson’s institute of cancer research, Manchester, UK. p.275

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