Cord Blood Stem Cell

We know that stem cells are cells found in multi-cellular organisms and can renew themselves or give 'life' to specialized cells in the body. Others defined it as primary cells in the human body from which all other tissues "stem" from. But what are cord blood stem cells?
Therapeutic cloning
Cord blood stem cells are stem cells found in the cord blood. It can be obtain from the umbilical cord once the cord has been detached from the new born. It is said to be an important factor for our immune system to function fully.

Cord blood vs. other types of stem cells

Unlike the embryonic stem cells, cord blood stem cell has been spared from ethical debates of how such cell can be acquire. We know that embryonic stem cell involves the destruction of embryos while stem cells from cord blood is harvested following childbirth. Another thing is that it is free of any DNA mutations compared to adult stem cells.

GVHD and cord blood stem cell

According to studies, cord blood (stem cell) holds major advantage when it comes to graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a condition that usually arises after allogenic transplants (involving cells from cord blood); it is said to be fatal at times. The good thing about cord blood transplant is that patient with GVHD tends to have milder symptoms compared to patients of bone marrow transplant.

Cord blood, Type I Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease

Researchers continues to explore the potentials of stem cells generated from cord blood in treating regenerative diseases such as type I Diabetes and heart diseases. Treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are also within the realm of possibility.

Another possible breakthrough would be the use of cord blood stem cells for cancer therapies. Since it plays an important factor in the immune system, stem cells derived from cord blood replenishes the (immune) system and blood after chemotherapy through transplant.

Limitations

Cord blood stem cells has also its fair share of imperfections and limitations. It is through these challenges that Science continues to evolve and medical researchers continue to look for solution to problems. One method being considered to solve the problem of scarcity of cells in a cord blood unit is to isolate it first in a laboratory for growth. Once the required numbers of cells has been achieved, it would be ready now for transplant.