STEM CELLS INFORMATION Q&A

What’s left to learn about stem cells?
We know that stem cells are present at all stages of our life. Stem cells found in early embryos have the potential to become different types of cell, while adult stem cells are more specific. The questions we are trying to answer are: can we identify all stem cells? Can we grow them in large numbers in the lab? Can we make them give rise to any cells we wish? Can we use stem cells to treat cancer, ageing and degenerative diseases?

Does every multicellular organism have stem cells?
Yes. In mammals, there are two main types of stem cells: embryonic, which are generated from early embryos, and adult, which are found in various tissues and contribute to the repair and replenishment of our tissues.

For a long time it was thought that once the stem cells changed to form the various cells that make up our organs, it was impossible to make them revert back to the initial stem cell state.

However, the Nobel prize winner Shinya Yamanaka reported in 2006 that adult cells can be turned back to the embryonic stage by simple genetic manipulation.

Who first discovered stem cells?
The concept of stem cells was fi rst mentioned by Valentin Haecker and Theodor Boveri in the 19th century. In parallel, Artur Pappenheim, Alexander Maksimov, Ernst Neumann and others used it to describe a proposed origin of the blood system.

As the field progressed, the term ‘stem cell’ has been used to describe the capacity of stem cells for self-renewal as well as the ability to give rise to all cell types that make up our bodies.

Do stem cells have to be prompted in some way to repair the body?
Adult stem cells need prompting if a quick repair is needed, and we can achieve this in the lab. Stem cell prompting in the body is a bit more tricky, but can occur in response to specific stress or injuries.