Reasons to collect stem cells

Why do we collect stem cells?

1. They serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.
2. Stem cells are involved with the healing process and can travel to injured areas of the body to become bone, cartilage, connective tissue, or other kinds of cells that are needed.
3. Have been used as medical treatment for over 25 years and for up to 80 different diseases, particularly for cancers of the blood.

There are three general properties of stem cells: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; they can give rise to specialized cell types.

Why are they important?

1. Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.
2. A stem cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
3. They serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.
4. Stem cells are involved with the healing process and can travel to injured areas of the body to become bone, cartilage, connective tissue, or other kinds of cells that are needed.
5. Have been used as medical treatment for over 25 years and for up to 80 different diseases, particularly for cancers of the blood.