This is an article that I summaried from a science journal. Stem cells are the basic cells that can develop into differentiated cell types. There are main two types of stem cells. The first one is embryonic stem cells (ESC), which are present in the first few days in a fertilized ovum. The second type of stem cells is the adult stem cells (TSC), which have the ability to divide throughout the postnatal life to provide cells in the place of dead ones. However, growing and maintaining the ESC and TSC is a challenge to scientists. The process of cultivating stem cells includes many variables that are difficult to keep the same. To test the growth of stem cells, scientists used the stem cells of mice (mESC). Two types of researches are done on these mice; these are the in-vivo (inside the body) and in-vitro (outside the body). Number of Passages One of the main factors that affected the results was the number of transfers of the pure colony of cells from an old culturing plate to a new one (called passaging). The more numbers of passages that took place, the more chances of genetic changes were likely to occur. Type of Species Also, the type of sub species of mice, or strain was another variable that needed to be controlled in the in-vivo experiments. The controlling of the strain is needed to conserve the capability of the cells to integrate into the inner cell mass. Quick Freezing This factor is important in dealing with advanced cell lines. The quick freezing helps the pluripotency (ability to differentiate) by maintaining the low temperature and thus minimizes the changes the cell culture. Culture Medium Culturing conditions are very crucial for mESC growth. The mESC requires a layer of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF), mouse leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), fetal bovine serum (FBS) and serum substitutes. This is all nutrition that ESC needs to grow and cultivate. Culture Incubation This is probably the most sensitive factor of ESC. There is a separate incubator dedicated to ESC incubation only. There is also a time limit where the cells stay out of the incubator. ESC are dependent on the amount of the incubator’s Carbon Dioxide that helps to maintain the pH for the cells maximum growth. Culture Morphology In order to keep track of the healthy the cell line we need to keep all ingredients in our medium constant. MEF is the most important ingredient of the medium. Typically a healthy stem cell has a higher nucleus to cytoplasm ratio. If this is not the case, the stem cell is abnormal. Markers of Pluripotency Makers are used to identify the capability of ESC to differentiate effectively into different cells (during in-vitro experiments) or into chimeras (animals that have two or more different populations of cells that are genetically distinct) during in-vivo experiments. There are several makers that test the pluripotency of a particular germ line (ex. Wild-Type 129/S6).
Thank you soo much dude. I've looking for a summarized account on Stem Cells. Will (+)rep when I have enough posts!
Speaking of stem cells, it reminded me of the futurama episode where they all got $100 rebate and the professor bought stem cells to reverse aging for a short moment... lol.
Lol ^ that was a good episode As for this thread, wheres the discussion? What are we supposed to be talking about. Stem cells or your report...?
i have no problem with stem cell research and where they get them from. okay say someone has an abortion, what happens to the aborted fetus? gets burnt? thrown away? what? thats a waste, so why not use that fetus to possible end all disease and injuries. and all these people who say fetus are people or what ever. i have never heard of an unborn fetus getting a proper burial.
lol. You're right. IMO stem cells should be used. It's like having gas and a car beside eachother and not driving it when you have to go 300 miles. Kinda stupid. There is a difference between fetus stem cells and adult stem cells. There should be some thought into fetus stem cells, but adult ones? They are just sitting inside your body, not being used...
hmmm i guess we're supposed to talk about stem cells? well...i think in order to get stem cells you have to kill a baby...which is wrong
Early eggs, they are not killing 9month old fetuses, only like a month or two. They have no nerve cells or brains yet, its not as cruel as bringing it into a world werre there mom does not want em. Btw=
Eactly they are early eggs i am for stem cell research if it can save lives and help us progress in medical science can u belive the diseases it can cure i saw a repot on it on 60 minutes where they cured a disabled Rat that was cool
