Turning Ordinary Cells into Stem Cells
admin on Apr 25 2009 at 11:03 am | Filed under: Health News and Research
Stem cells are the body’s master cells and have the amazing capability of developing into various types of cells. They can be induced to become specific types of tissues or organs and are able to renew themselves through cell division. These features make stem cells quite remarkable and different from other types of cells in the body. In the past, stem cells were thought to only come from embryonic tissue. Further research revealed stem cells in adults and in 2006, researchers identified specialized adult cells that could be genetically reprogrammed to resemble stem cells. This new type of stem cell was termed an induced pluripotent stem cell.
Researchers from the Scripps Institute in San Diego, CA reported yet another breakthrough in Cell Stem Cell on April 23rd. They used genetically engineered proteins to turn ordinary mouse skin cells into stem cells. The process started with designing a protein which could penetrate a cell membrane, in this case the mouse fibroblast cell. Fibroblasts are the cells which produce collagen and provide the framework for skin structure. The reprogrammed proteins were delivered directly into the cells and observed in the culture. The transduced proteins were found to be stable inside cells for up to 48 hours, but repeated cycles of protein addition were necessary. The researchers observed that the reprogrammed cells behaved indistinguishably from embryonic stem cells. The cells were able to differentiate into pancreatic cells, hepatic cells (liver cells), beating cardiomyocytes (heart cells) and neurons (nerve cells). The reprogrammed stem-like cells are called “protein-induced pluripotent stem cells” or “piPS cells”. This is considered a significant advance in stem cell research.
Zhou H et al. Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Recombinant Proteins. Cell Stem Cell, 23 April 2009. doi:10.1016/j.stem.2009.04.005
As we age, the number of stem cells that circulate in our body gradually decrease, leaving our body more susceptible to injury & other age-related health challenges. StemTech Health Science’s Stem Enhance is the alternative to the controversial stem cells we hear about in the news. There is a new book “The Stem Cell Theory of Renewal” by Christian Drapeau, MSc., Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder of STEMTech Health Sciences. He formulated StemEnhance which supports the natural release of stem cells to promote optimal healing and stem cell physiology.
I’m a Health Coach and I have seen tremendous benefit using this natural stem cell enhancer for myself, my family & clients. I believe because of the scientific studies we have available we can end the controversy from the use of embryonic stem cells for good. I write about adult stem cell research in my blog at askjacki.wordpress.com for those interested in learning more or go to stemcellhotline.com.
Jacki Smith
817-510-3600
Thank you for this information. Kindly consider adding some images.