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Stem Cell. Photo Credit: Luismmolina/E+/Getty Images

Stem cells and stem cell research have opened new avenues for the treatment of disease. Stem cells are special cells because they are able to self-replicate and differentiate into other body cells. This enables the body to replenish tissue and repair itself. Researchers are developing new methods for using stem cell therapies to treat individuals with a number of conditions including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson's disease.

Below are a few amazing discoveries that have been made in stem cell research.

University of Granada researchers have developed a method for growing artificial skin using umbilical cord stem cells. This artificial skin can be stored and made available for immediate use for those with burn injuries. The researchers developed a new type of biomaterial covering in order to grow the artificial skin.

According to one of the authors of the study, Antonio Campos, "Creating this new type of skin using stem cells, which can be stored in tissue banks, means that it can be used instantly when injuries are caused, and which would bring the application of artificial skin forward many weeks." The researchers were also able to generate oral mucosa (mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth) from umbilical cord stem cells.

Scientists have genetically engineered stem cells to develop into cells of the immune system known as cytotoxic T cell lymphocytes or killer T cells.

These cells can detect HIV infected cells and destroy them. The HIV virus however, eventually overwhelms the immune system as there are not enough T cells to get rid of the virus entirely. The researchers in the study were able to produce T cells that specifically target cells containing HIV proteins in a living organism. In studies with mice, the researchers demonstrated that the engineered stem cells were capable of not only developing, but also traveling to HIV infected tissues and organs in order to combat the virus.

Researchers from the Tokyo University of Science have successfully genetically engineered stem cells from dermal and epithelial cells that develop into fully functioning hair follicles. The bioengineered hair follicle stem cells were transplanted directly under the top layer of skin in mice models. The stem cells were able to produce hair follicles that made correct connections with tissues necessary for hair growth such as muscle fibers, nerve fibers, and the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. The hair follicles were also capable of regeneration via repetition of the hair cycle. According to the researchers, their study is a huge development in the quest for the creation of organ replacement regenerative therapies. They contend that this discovery substantially contributes to the development of bioengineering technologies that will one day make hair regeneration therapy possible for hair loss caused by injury or disease.

Researchers have successfully produced human embryonic stem cells using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This process involves removing the nucleus from an egg cell and replacing it with the nucleus of another cell. In the study, human skin cell nuclei were transplanted into unfertilized enucleated egg cells. These cells went on to develop and produce embryonic stem cells. The stem cells had no chromosomal abnormalities and normal gene function.

According to researcher Shoukhrat Mitalipov, "A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells. Furthermore, because these reprogrammed cells can be generated with nuclear genetic material from a patient, there is no concern of transplant rejection." Stem cell therapies could be used to treat individuals with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, cardiac disease, and Parkinson's disease.

University of Cambridge researchers have developed a method for producing stem cells from patients' own blood. They have identified the correct blood component that can be converted to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to change into almost any type of cell in the body. The iPS cells could be used create tissue or blood vessels for the treatment of heart and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers state that unlike tissue samples, blood samples can be frozen and stored to be converted to iPS cells at a later time. Since the cells are created from the patient's own blood, they are not likely to cause an immune response if used to repair damaged tissue.

Researchers from Indiana University have created cells of the inner ear from stem cells. According to the study, these cells can detect sound, head movements, and gravity. By suspending the stem cells in a specialized culture medium, the researchers were able to coax the cells into developing into inner-ear sensory epithelia. The sensory tissue contains hair cells, supporting cells, and neurons.

According to lead researcher Dr. Eri Hashino, "We were surprised to see that once stem cells are guided to become inner-ear precursors and placed in 3-D culture, these cells behave as if they knew not only how to become different cell types in the inner ear, but also how to self-organize into a pattern remarkably similar to the native inner ear." The research was conducted using mouse embryonic stem cells. Future studies will be directed at developing ways to apply these processes to produce human inner-ear cells.

Researchers have had a breakthrough in umbilical cord stem cell studies. Different cell types have been created from umbilical cord stem cells. In the study, umbilical cord stem cells were induced into developing into cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells are a type of glial cell which help to insulate nerve cells in the central nervous system. This discovery may help to develop new treatments for spinal cord injuries and diseases of the nervous system. A major advantage to using umbilical cord stem cells is that they have not been shown to induce immune reactions. Embryonic stem cells have been known to cause immune reactions.

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Stem Cell Discoveries - About.com Education