MEDtube Science 2014 - Stem Cells – general characteristic and sources

Stem cells are self-renewal and can generate differentiated progeny cells. There is an explosion of interest in stem cells over the last few years. It is related to the scientific findings concerning cellular reprogramming. Two scientists, John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, have discovered that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells. This scientific findings revolutionised our understanding of how cells and organisms developed and provides hope for the use of stem cells in the regenerative medicine and treatment for the diseases. It is hope for patients suffering from incurable diseases in which conventional treatment does not give satisfactory results. It is great expectations for regenerative medicine concerning cell-based therapy such diseases as: diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disease of the brain, liver and kidney damage. The objective of this article are presentation of general characteristic and sources of stem cells.