Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are multipurpose or 'master' cells that can develop into more specialised cell types. These stem cells are abundant in the early embryo (embryonic stem cells). Embryonic stem cells are capable of being grown in the laboratory.

In order to produce specific types of differentiated cells, like heart muscle cells, blood cells etc., scientists try to control the differentiation of embryonic stem cells by changing the chemical composition of the culture medium, altering the surface of the culture dish, or by inserting specific genes.

Stem cell therapy is an exciting way of treating damaged and diseased body-parts with healthy new cells provided by transplanting stem cell. The potential applications of stem cell therapy include: leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, burns, diabetes, cirrhosis of liver etc.

Stem cell therapy would probably become pretty common over the next few decades. At present, research is mainly directed in making stem cells more compatible, precisely controlling stem cell differentiation, and in the identification and purification of adult stem cell types.

Probably the greatest success using stem cells has been in the field of ophthalmology. The L.V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India, has reported the greatest success with cultured limbal stem cells to treat even severe corneal opacities, which cause blindness.