Stem Cells
& Tomorrow's Human
How are AS cells obtained?
Since AS cells can be found in organs like the heart or brain, they can be removed and grown separately in cell cultures. AS cells exist in small numbers when compared to the surrounding specialized cells, they also look very similar to the surrounding cells. To make extraction easier, scientists tag AS cells with markers that are unique to stem cells.
(Citation 7,8)
When an organ or tissue is in need of cell repair, AS cells will divide and create the specialized cells that are needed to replace the damaged cells. (Citation 6)
How are AS cells differentiated?
Adult Stem Cells
Adult stem (AS) cells are found in infants, children and adults. These stem cells are multipotent, which means that they can specialize into limited types of cells in the human body. Unlike embryonic stem cells, in which the entire culture is unspecialized, adult stem cells are found among specialized cells. These stem cells, when needed by the surrounding specialized cells, will divide and differentiate to repair and replace damaged tissues and organs. (Citation 6)
Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from bone marrow. (Image Citation 9)
BELOW: Diagram shows the potential specialization path of Hematopoietic stem cells. (Image Citation 10)