Mastering Stem Cells

Molecular Biologist Peggy Goodell:

Unveiling Stem Cell Genetics

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Goodell Examines Stem Cells

Molecular biologist Goodell wants to improve health with stem cells

Stem cells

• Start out as "generic" cells

• Come in 2 varieties: embryonic and adult

• Divide indefinitely

Question:

Can all stem cells make any kind of cell?

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Answer: No

Adult stem cells are already specialized

• Differentiated: Adult stem cells in skin can only make skin cells, and adult stem cells in blood can only become blood cells, for example

• Undifferentiated: Embryonic stem cells are blank slates that can make any kind of cell (skin, blood, or nerve, for instance)

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Unlimited Potential

• Human embryonic stem cells (HESC) can make 220 different cells

• HESC can be used to

• Study normal human cells

• Understand the causes of birth defects

• Test drug safety and effectiveness

Image: Jeff Miller

Stem cell colony

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Specialized Cells

Hematopoetic stem cells (HSC)

• Adult stem cells that manufacture all blood cells (red and white)

• Found mostly in bone marrow

• Replenish sick and dying blood cells

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Addressing a Challenge

Background: Patients get bone marrow transplants (containing less than 1% HSC) to produce healthy blood cells. More HSC would make bone marrow transplants safer.

Problem: Bone marrow doesn't contain a dense concentration of HSC.

Challenge: Get HSC to make more of itself.

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Mastering HSC Production

Image: Kuan Lin

Adult stem cells (HSC)

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Student Researcher: Solving Pieces of the HSC Puzzle

David Weksberg

• MD/PhD student in Goodell's lab

• Studies an HSC gene with at least 2 functions

• Helping HSC divide

• Triggering immune response to bacteria

Image: Allan Weksberg

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Making Connections

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Making Connections

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Research Applications

What are some of the possible medical outcomes of stem cell research?