Stem cells and regenerative medicine

Abstract

Stem cells are self-renewing, non-differentiated cells that can be transforming into many different cell types and can form all the tissues and organs in our body when proper conditions are provided. Stem cells can be divided into three groups: adult stem cells, stem cells derived from cord blood, and embryonic stem cells. These cells, which have not yet differentiated, have the capacity of self-renewal, unlimited division and can transform into organs and tissues. Adult stem cells are found in many tissues and organs in the body and when damage occurs they multiply at that position to repair the damaged area. Discovery of stem cell differentiation also opened the doors for stem cell therapy in different fields such as; cancer, paralysis, Alzheimer’s, parkinsonism, spinal cord injuries, heart diseases and many genetic diseases.