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- Title
Stem Cells: A Dormant Volcano Within Our Body?
- Authors
Dey, Devaveena; Rangarajan, Annapoorni
- Abstract
Stem cells constitute an important class of cells in the body that have the ability to perpetuate themselves and remain in an uncommitted state by a process of self-renewal as well as to specialize into new cell types. Their ability to differentiate into multiple cell types marks the tremendous potential of stem cells for tissue repair and organ regeneration. Realization of this potential is rapidly opening up unexplored avenues for curing several ailments including diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. However, very little is understood about the basic biology of stem cells. For example, what are the biochemical tags that allow us to identify stem cell? Which are the signaling pathways that regulate their function? How does the environment (niche) influence major decisions made by stem cell? Is stem cell therapy the end to all woes, or is there a flip side to the story? This article aims to give an overview of the current status of stem cell research and raises some alarming issues related to stem cell-based therapies.
- Subjects
STEM cells; CELL division; TISSUES; MESODERM; CELLS
- Publication
Resonance: Journal of Science Education, 2007, Vol 12, Issue 3, p27
- ISSN
0971-8044
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s12045-007-0017-2