Stem Cell Research Quiz

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are pluripotent cells that can differentiate into any cell type in the body.

ES cells possess the unique ability to multiply indefinitely while preserving their pluripotent nature.

ES cells can be used to create various cell types in the lab, aiding in understanding human development. Examples include neurons, blood cells, heart cells, and liver cells.

One hurdle is the ethical concern surrounding the use of human blastocysts, which are destroyed to obtain ES cells.

Another challenge is immune rejection, as ES cells from a donor may differ from the recipient's immune system.

The process of transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell to create a genetically identical copy.

Dolly the sheep was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell using SCNT, demonstrating the potential for creating genetically identical copies.

Therapeutic cloning aims to create embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to a patient, potentially for treating diseases or injuries.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are created by reprogramming adult somatic cells into a pluripotent state, similar to embryonic stem cells.

Shinya Yamanaka's lab in 2006 showed that fully differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent state using specific factors.

iPS cells have the potential to overcome ethical concerns and limitations associated with embryonic stem cells, making them a promising avenue for regenerative medicine.

iPS cells can be used to create personalized cell therapies, potentially treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

iPS cell research holds immense potential for advancing our understanding of human development, disease mechanisms, and developing personalized therapies.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis is a technique used to identify and analyze variations in the number of repeated DNA sequences. It's used to check the genetic stability and integrity of iPSCs, ensuring they have the correct genetic makeup and haven't undergone any harmful changes.

Karyotyping is a process where chromosomes are visualized and analyzed, identifying any abnormalities or mutations. In iPSC quality control, it ensures the iPSCs have the normal number of chromosomes (46) and no structural changes affecting their potential.

Viral testing is essential to ensure iPSCs are free from any contaminating viruses that could compromise their safety and efficacy. These tests help guarantee the iPSCs are safe for use.

The transplantation of cells, such as those derived from iPSCs, requires careful consideration of how these cells will be delivered to the target area. This includes addressing technical aspects such as the correct route and ensuring efficient cell survival and engraftment.

Transdifferentiation is a process where one cell type directly transforms into another cell type without going through an intermediate stem cell stage. This approach allows for the direct conversion of existing cells into the desired ones, potentially eliminating the need for iPSCs in some cases.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a type of stem cells generated from adult cells by reprogramming them to an embryonic-like state. This process involves introducing specific genes that can re-activate the pluripotency factors, allowing these cells to potentially differentiate into any cell type in the body.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat.

MSCs have anti-inflammatory properties and can influence tissue repair. This makes them promising candidates for treating various diseases and injuries.

One of the limitations of iPSCs is the potential for incomplete differentiation. This means that not all iPSCs may fully revert to an embryonic-like state and may retain characteristics of their original adult cell type, making them unsuitable for certain applications.

Another concern with iPSCs is the potential for genomic and epigenetic alterations. These alterations may arise during the reprogramming process and can affect the cells' normal development and function. This can potentially lead to undesirable outcomes.

One challenge in using allogeneic MSCs (from a different donor) is their short lifespan in the body. The transplanted cells might not survive long enough to be effective.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent stem cells found in the bone marrow that can differentiate into various blood cell types.

Current MSC clinical trials often utilize their immune-suppressive properties. This means they can help suppress the immune response to prevent rejection of transplanted cells.

HSCs are a crucial component of many stem cell therapies, as they can replenish the recipient's hematopoietic system by providing healthy blood cells.

Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, including both mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. It offers several advantages over other sources.

Cord blood has several advantages, including readily available donors, non-invasive collection, lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and less stringent HLA matching requirements.

HSCs are most commonly transplanted in stem cell therapies, making them the most widely used type of stem cell in clinical applications.

One of the challenges of using HSCs for transplants is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This occurs when donor immune cells attack the recipient's healthy tissues, leading to complications.

Cord blood also has some disadvantages, such as limited numbers of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for blood cell production.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells found in various tissues that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells.

Expanding hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo (outside the body) can overcome the scarcity of these cells. This involves culturing and multiplying the cells in a controlled environment to increase their numbers.

Stem cells are special cells that can divide and renew themselves for long periods, and can also differentiate into specialized cell types.

Stem cells are classified based on their potential to differentiate into other cell types. Totipotent stem cells can become any cell type, including the placenta. Pluripotent stem cells can become any cell type in the body. Multipotent stem cells can become a limited range of cell types within a specific lineage. Unipotent stem cells can only differentiate into one cell type.

Stem cell therapies aim to use the regenerative potential of stem cells to repair damaged tissues or organs. This can involve transplanting stem cells directly or using them to create specific cell types for transplantation, treating various diseases.

Current limitations for stem cell therapies include ethical concerns surrounding the source of stem cells (embryonic or otherwise), difficulties in controlling stem cell differentiation, risks of tumor formation, and immune rejection after transplantation.

True. Pluripotent stem cells, like embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can differentiate into neural stem cells. These cells can then develop into various neural cells in the brain.

False. Although both ESCs and iPSCs are pluripotent, they have different origins and ethical implications. ESCs come from embryos, while iPSCs are reprogrammed from adult cells.

True. Umbilical cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which can differentiate into various blood cells and are used in clinical applications for treating blood disorders and cancers.

False. Although iPSCs are derived from an individual's own cells, they can still elicit an immune response, requiring immune suppression therapies.