Hope of Tomorrow:Stem Cells

Hope of Tomorrow:Stem Cells

 Mrs. Parul Patel

Asst. Prof. Amity B.Ed. College

Dahej Bypass Road, Bharuch.

Pin.392001. Ph.02642-239635

Ø Super Power of Stem Cell:

Stem cells lay the very foundation of our bodies. Did you know that every part of your body including skin, bones, blood and organs were formed from stem cells? Stem cells can replicate and turn into any type of cell in the body such as the muscle cell, heart cell, blood cell, bone cell and so on. These stem cells also play the repair function in our body by replacing old cells with new cells.

These stem cells have the amazing power to repair & regenerate our body’s tissues and organs, making a big impact in our lives today. Medical research has shown that stem cells can be used for the treatment of several life threatening medical conditions. In the past 50 years, over a million people suffering from various conditions have benefitted from the power of stem cells and are now living a renewed life.

Ø Two types of stem cells:

[1] Mature stem cells [multipotent cell]

[2] Early stem cells [pluripotent]

  Ø Journey of Stem Cells:

Stem cells are celebrating their golden jubilee. Yes! For 50 years they have been playing the role of lifesavers. From being discovered as tiny cells under the microscope to becoming the cure for many medical conditions, stem cells have come a long way in redefining the landscape of modern medicine.

Ø Lifesavers Take Centre Stage

When Lisa Ray, the Global Stem Cell Activist, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma – a rare and incurable form of blood cancer, she underwent stem cell therapy. Lisa’s wise and timely decision to rely on stem cell transplant to cure the disease gave her a second chance at life. Declared cancer-free, the actor who is proud to call herself a “Cancer Graduate”, is back to leading a full life and pursuing her career successfully.

Ø A New Lease on Life

Vigneswaran was diagnosed with blood cancer when he was in Class XI. As the disease was in advanced stage, he could not use his own adult stem cells. He approached the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and was treated using donor umbilical cord stem cells from Australia. Two years later, he was declared cancer free. Vigneswaran was born on February 28, however has started celebrating his birthday on January 18, the day when he underwent the therapy.

Stem cells have been in action for over 50 years now and have been saving the lives of many people. Every year over 60,000 people are treated for various medical conditions such as thalassemia, leukemia and many more. Stem Cells give people with life-threatening diseases a fighting chance to beat the disease and lead longer and healthier lives.

It is exciting to note that ongoing medical research by scientists around the world is bringing more and more medical conditions within the sphere of stem cell therapy. There are hundreds of ongoing clinical trials that are unveiling incredible possibilities for regenerative medicine that include the growth of new tissues and organs using stem cells. The future looks bright as stem cells are being researched upon to help us fight conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, osteo-arthritis.

Ø Power of Umbilical Cord Tissue:

Umbilical cord tissue is nothing but the cord itself that remains after the cord blood is removed. This cord tissue is rich in Mesenchymal stem cells that build the tissues and muscles and also regenerate these when they wither due to aging, illness or accident.

Ø Our beauty queen aishwarya rai also preserve her daughter aaradhya’s stem cell.

Umbilical cord stem cell banking is a very simple and safe process.

Ø 5 Simple Steps For Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Banking

[1] Enroll:

A few weeks before the delivery, take up a presentation with the stem cell bank and enroll for the service. At the time of enrollment you will be given a collection kit. Keep your doctor informed about your decision to preserve your baby’s stem cells. Don’t forget to carry the kit to the hospital on the day of delivery.

[2] Collection:

At the time of birth, the blood from the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag. A specified length of the cord is also cut and collected. A sample of mother’s blood is also collected to test for infections. The process takes less than 10 minutes and is absolutely safe for the baby and the mother. All three samples are placed in a kit and shipped to the stem cell bank.

[3] Transport:

After the collection, the kit is packed up with the documents duly filled. Hand over the kit to the assigned specialized logistics provider who would dispatch the kit to the laboratory within 36 hours.

[4]Testing and Processing:

Once the collected samples reach the lab, tests are conducted to check for infections. The umbilical cord blood and tissue are separately processed to extract hematopoietic & mesenchymal stem cells.

[5] Preservation:

The stem cells are stored in special bags, which are further kept within protective cases and placed in liquid nitrogen filled cylinders for preservation at a temperature of - 196 degree Celsius.

For additional safety of the baby’s stem cells against natural calamities, there is an option of two-site storage of the stem cells. A portion of the collected samples are processed and sent to another facility of the stem cell bank and preserved under the same conditions.