Stem cell: A stem cell is a cell from the embryo, fetus, or adult that has, under certain conditions, the ability to reproduce itself for long periods or, in the case of adult stem cells, throughout the life of the organism. It also can give rise to specialized cells that make up the tissues and organs of the body.

Transplantation Research:

Stem cells may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases.

 But, despite recent advances in transplantation sciences, there is a shortage of donor organs that makes it unlikely that the growing demand for lifesaving organ replacements will be fully met through organ donation strategies. For many diseases that shorten lives, there are no effective treatments but the goal is to find a way to replace what natural processes have taken away.

The use of stem cells to generate replacement tissues for treating neurological diseases is a major focus of research. Spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease are among those diseases for which the concept of replacing destroyed / dysfunctional cells in the brain / spinal cord is a practical goal. Researchers have recently shown that human embryonic stem cells to be directly differentiated into cells that produce insulin.

Therapeutic Delivery Systems:

Stem cell-based therapies are a major area of investigation in cancer research. For many years, restoration of blood and immune system function has been used as a component in the care of cancer patients who have been treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Now, researchers are trying to devise more ways to use specialized cells derived from stem cells to target specific cancerous cells and directly deliver treatments that will destroy or modify them.