Non-embryonic (adult) stem cells
Adult stem cells have a misleading name, because they are also found in infants and children. These
stem cells come from developed organs and tissues in the body. They’re used by the body to repair and
replace damaged tissue in the same area in which they are found.
For example, hematopoietic stem cells are a type of adult stem cell found in bone marrow. They make
new red blood cells, white blood cells, and other types of blood cells. Doctors have been performing
stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, for decades using hematopoietic stem
cells in order to treat certain types of cancer.
Adult stem cells can’t differentiate into as many other types of cells as embryonic stem cells can.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
Scientists have recently discovered how to turn adult stem cells into pluripotent stem cells. These new
types of cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They can differentiate into all types of
specialized cells in the body. This means they can potentially produce new cells for any organ or tissue.
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- Spring '14
- Developmental Biology, Cellular differentiation, Bone marrow
