Uses of stem cells

Question 1

How are stem cells use in Heart disease?

Answer 1

Muscle tissue has been damaged, often irreparably. Stem cells injected directly to the area to replace damaged cells.

Question 2

How are stem cells use in Type 1 diabetes?

Answer 2

Stem cells used to replace insulin producing cells in the pancreas, which have been destroyed by the body immune system.

Question 3

How are stem cells used for Parkison’s disease?

Answer 3

Dopamine producing cells in the brain have died causing shaking and rigidity. Drugs only delay disease progression - stem cells could in the future provide a cure.

Question 4

How are stem cells used for Alzheimers disease?

Answer 4

Stem cells could be used to replace brain cells that have been destroyed by the abnormal build up of proteins.

Question 5

How are stem cells used for Macular denegeration?

Answer 5

Stem cells are in the early stages of treating this condition which causes blindness - early results are encouraging.

Question 6

How are stem cells used for Birth defects?

Answer 6

Scientists have used stem cells to treat birth defects in mice, defects that are currently untreatable in humans

Question 7

How are stem cells used for spinal injuries?

Answer 7

Damage to spinal cords in rats have been repaired with some movement to hind limbs being restored.

Question 8

How are stem cells used for Treatment of burns?

Answer 8

Skin cells grown on biodegradable meshes from stem cells used to produce new skin. Quicker than using a skin graft.

Question 9

How are stem cells used for Drug trials?

Answer 9

Potential new drugs are tested on cultures of stem cells before being tested on animals or humans

Question 10

How are stem cells used for developmental biology?

Answer 10

Used to study changes that occur as multi cellular animals grow and develop. Work out why things sometimes go wrong.