Stem cells: The holy grail of regenerative medicine

Abstract

Recent advancement in understanding the complex characters and interdependent molecular pathways of biological diseases led to a new therapeutic approach of Biological Solutions to Biological Diseases. Stem cells that reside at the apex of cellular hierarchy are now considered as Therapeutic wonders due to their multilineage differentiation and self-renewal properties. These cells depending upon their differentiation potency and site of origin are being widely experimented for therapeutic purpose with emerging success in clinical application. The challenge posed by ethical problems and teratoma formation of embryonic stem (ES) cells; rare occurrence of tissue-specific adult stem cells has recently been overcome by the creation of dedifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from mature differentiated cells. Research in stem cell therapy involves novel strategies for directed differentiation of ES cells, adult stem cells, and iPSCs in vitro; temporal and spatial monitoring of in vivo differentiation and functional output and final validation in human patients. In this chapter, we will review the detailed investigations currently undergoing in stem cell biology and their clinical applicability, which might bring revolutions in future patient outcome.