As you start to learn about stem cells, one of the most common questions to have is, “What types of stem cells exist?” There is not an agreed-upon number of stem cell types, because one can classify stem cells either by differentiation potential (what they can turn into) or by origin (from where they are sourced). This post is dedicated to explaining the five types of stem cells, based on differentiation potential. [Read more…]
The Future of Stem Cell Therapeutics – Balancing Safety and Efficacy
What do we know of the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapeutics? Over 50 years have passed since the discovery of hematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow transplantation to cure diseases such as leukemia), over 20 years since the discovery of human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and 15 years since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). There are now thousands of stem cell trials underway in clinics worldwide.
Despite this experience, what do we actually know about the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapeutics? [Read more…]
Neural Stem Cells vs. Neuronal Stem Cells? Definitions and Explanation.
Have you been questioning the meaning of the terms neural stem cells versus neuronal stem cells? If so, you’re not alone. The short answer is that neural means pertaining to a nerve or nerves (the cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons), while neuronal means pertaining to neurons (the conducting cells of the nervous system).
With this understanding, the term neural stem cell describes multipotent stem cells that can self-renew and differentiate into specialized cells of the brain, such as neurons, astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes.
In contrast, neuronal is a term that describes neurons, so practically speaking, it is often used in the context of describing neuronal networks (networks of neurons) or describing neuronal differentiation. For example, one might talk about stem cell-derived neuronal networks or neuronal differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).
Therefore, when it comes to the world of stem cells, the cells that are capable of differentiating into specialized cells of the brain are neural stem cells.
With this surface level understanding, let’s dive deeper.
Top 5 TED Talks About Stem Cells
Check out the best TED Talks below to understand the growing importance of stem cells within regenerative medicine.
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Gladstone Institutes Initiates Research Collaboration With Eli Lilly for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Study will use innovative technology to focus on neurodegenerative diseases
SAN FRANCISCO, December 7, 2017 (Newswire.com) – The Gladstone Institutes announced today a new research collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company focused on neurodegenerative diseases. This multi-year, milestone-driven project will be based on a combination of innovative technologies developed at Gladstone by Steve Finkbeiner, M.D., Ph.D. His laboratory will work closely with Lilly during this collaboration.
“This collaboration has high potential to open new avenues towards effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Gladstone President R. Sanders Williams, M.D. “Both organizations are committed to meeting this major unmet need.”
Key to the project is a robotic microscope system developed in Finkbeiner’s laboratory with funds from Gladstone, the Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, and the ALS Association. This fully automated platform allows scientists to track thousands of individual cells for days or weeks at a time, and follow discrete cellular functions.
When coupled with neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem cells collected from patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and ALS, this microscope becomes a powerful tool to study the cells and their responses to disease and treatments. [Read more…]
