![]() Understanding the molecules that control stem cells is also providing new strategies for treating diseases associated with stem cells. Research into normal stem cell function is revealing how defective stem cells contribute to disease. The information gleaned in this research is now being used to understand lung development, and reveal how developmental errors in the lung occur. ![]() Our researchers were the first in the world to isolate breast stem cells, which give rise to the different, specialised types of cells within the adult breast. For example, blood stem cells replenish blood cells such as red blood cells and lymphocytes breast stem cells can develop into any of the cell types in ducts of the breast.ĭiscovering stem cells and understanding how they function is giving new insights into how different tissues of the body develop and are maintained and repaired. Adult, or tissue-specific stem cells, that give rise to cells within a certain body system or organ.These are the stem cells that are found in early embryos. Pluripotent stem cells, that can give rise to any type of cell in the body.Our researchers are discovering which genes are switched on in stem cells, but are epigenetically switched off when a cell differentiates. The process of changing from a stem cell to a mature cell involves changes to which genes are switched on within the cell. Once a daughter cell differentiates, it cannot return to being a stem cell. This is called ‘self renewal’ and ensures the body retains enough stem cells to continue to replace cells as needed. ‘Differentiate’ into, or commit to becoming, a mature cell, such as a lymphocyte or a neuron.When a stem cell divides, it gives rise to two ‘daughter’ cells. This is in contrast to most cells in our body which can divide only a limited number of times. Stem cells are considered ‘undifferentiated’, meaning they have not changed into, or committed to developing into, a specialised type of cell. Repairing and replenishing adult tissues, replacing cells that are damaged or are lost as part of their role in the body (such as the renewal of skin or immune cells).Embryonic development, in which stem cells produce different cell types in our body.Stem cells are unique cells that can divide indefinitely and give rise to many different cell types.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |