Understanding Stem Cell Research

Publication Date	January 2009
Publisher	Pharma-reports
Product Type	Report
Pages	88
ISBN Number	not applicable
Product Code	PRC00006

Buy this product or for assistance call +44 20 7060 7474

PDF £300.00$499 | €336

PRINT £300.00$499 | €336

CD-ROM £300.00$499 | €336

FAX Order above formats by FAX

Summary

Stem cells are cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They hold back the ability to regenerate themselves by mitotic cell division and can separate into a different array of specialized cell types. Research in the stem cell field grew out of determinations by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are detected in blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells behave as a repair system for the body, refilling specialized cells, but also conserve the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues.

As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with features consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or marrow are touted as bright prospects.

Stem cells have the capacity to replicate themselves into cells with similar properties in order to maintain a pool of precursor cells. Adult stem cells, also called tissue stem cells, are found in differentiated tissues in which, in a controlled manner, they differentiate and/or divide to produce all the specialized cell types of the tissue from which they originate. Adult stem cells are often multipotent, capable to produce several but limited numbers of cell types.

Recent data suggests that stem cells are not only active in embryos, but act throughout our lives, replacing worn and damaged mature cells. Before 1998, however, when the first stem cells were actually identified, they were merely assumed to exist.

This report on Understanding Stem Cell Research provides basic information on stem cells, a historical background on stem cells, information on the different types of stem cells along with where they are derived from, the importance of stem cells and the controversy surrounding stem cells. The report also takes a look at the different types of stem cell research currently available, the benefits of stem cell therapy and research and how they help in the treatment of various diseases.

Also included in the report is a regulatory framework analysis of various countries, along with their stance on stem cell research and therapy. An analysis of the major players in the industry in the U.S., and a detailed future outlook completes this report.

Content

Executive Summary
Introduction to Stem Cells
- What are Stem Cells?
- Brief History of Stem Cells
- What are the Properties of Stem Cells?
- Types of Stem Cells
- Totipotent Stem Cells
- Puripotent Stem Cells
- Multipotent Stem Cells
- Where are Stem Cells Found?
- Why are Stem Cells Important?
- Controversy over Stem Cell Research
- Differentiating between Stem Cell Research and Cloning
Understanding Embryonic Stem Cells
- What are Embryonic Stem Cells?
- Developments in Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- Segregation & In Vitro Culture
- Manufacture of Male Gametes
- Infection by Reagents used in Cell Culture
- Lowering Donor-Host Rejection
- Potential Method for New Cell Line Derivation
Understanding Adult Stem Cells
- What are Adult Stem Cells?
- Therapies Derived from Adult Stem Cells
- Types of Adult Stem Cells
- Adipose Derived Adult Stem Cells
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Epithelial Cells
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Mammary Stem Cells
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- Neural Stem Cells
- Olfactory Adult Stem Cells
- Testicular Cells
- Issues in Adult Stem Cell Research
Following the Lineage of Stem Cells
- What is a Stem Cell Line?
- Creation of an Embryonic Line
- Alternative Sources & New Techniques
Importance of Stem Cell Therapy
- Introduction to Stem Cell Therapy
- Features of Stem Cell Therapy
- Advantages & Potential of Stem Cell Therapy
- Prospective Stem Cell Therapies
- Adult Stem Cell Therapies
- Potential Tissue Repairing with Embryonic Stem Cells
- Therapeutic Cloning
Using Stem Cells for Treatment
- What is the Potential of Stem Cells in Treating Diseases?
- Presently Available Treatments Applying Stem Cells
- Potential Treatments of the Future
- Treating Brain Damage
- Treating Cancer
- Treating Heart Damage
- Treating Spinal Cord Injury
- Treating Haematopoiesis
- Treating Blood Disorders
- Treating Bone & Cartilage Diseases
- Treating Diseases of the Nervous System
- Treating Baldness
- Treating Tooth Problems
- Treating Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
- Treating Vision Problems & Blindness
- Aiding with Drug Testing and Toxicity
- Isolating Stem Cells and Creating Transplantable Organs
- Treating Children's Type 1 Diabetes
- Restriction of Stem Cell Therapies due to Immune Rejection
- Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treating Diseases
- Treatments with Adult Stem Cells vs. Embryonic Stem Cells
Controversies Surrounding Stem Cell Research and Development
- Challenging the Source of Stem Cells
- Ethics Issues of Human Stem Cells
- Is the Human Embryo Destroyed?
- Challenges Based on Spiritual Beliefs
- Restrictions on Stem Cell Development Due to Cloning
High Cost of Stem Cell Research and Development
- Principles of Justice
- Who is Accountable and What about Regulation?
- Issue of Intellectual Property Rights
- Using Better Alternatives?
High Cost of Stem Cell Research and Potential of Funding - U.S. Policy
- Funding Embryo Research over the Years
- Policy on Stem Cell Research Funding
- Policy Being Affected by Ethical Issues
- Requirement of Federal Funding
- Disadvantages of Global Political Disparity on Stem Cell Research
- for the U.S
- Timeline of Stem Cell Funding and Policy Debate in the U.S
Country-Wide Analysis â€“ Developments and Trends
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- European Union
- Japan
- United Kingdom
- United States
Major Players
- Aastrom Biosciences
- BioTransplant
- Cryo-Cell International
- Geron
- StemCells, Inc
- Advanced Cell Technology Inc
- Stem Cell Innovations
- Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc
- CryoCord Sdn. Bhd
- Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC
Future of Stem Cell Research
Appendix
Glossary
List of Figures
Figure 1: Pluripotent, Embryonic Stem Cells
- Figure 2: Human Stem Cell Colony
- Figure 3: Cell Cycle
- Figure 4: Development of the Pre-Implantation Blastocyst in Humans
- Figure 5: Major Goals in the Development of Transplantation Therapies from Human ES Cell Lines