About Stem Cells

What are stem cells?

A stem cell refers to an undifferentiated cell with self-renewing ability, an all-powerful cell capable of differentiating into 210 tissue cells that capable a human body.

Characteristics of Stem Cells

• Self-Renewal: A stem cell is capable of generating another stem cell with the same form and ability.
• Differentiation: Differentiation refers to specialization of a stem cell’s structure and function in accordance with a human body needs. A stem cell originally exists undifferentiated, and is capable of changing into another type of tissue that a human body needs.
• Homing Effect: When injected intravenously, a stem cell is capable of reaching the damaged area on its own.

Types of Stem Cells

There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells

While embryonic stem cells are not free from the stability and ethical issues, adult stem cells pose no ethical problem because they can be collected from fat, placenta, marrow or cord blood. In particular, adipose stem cells derived from adipose tissues and placental stem cells that exist in placenta at the time of birth are safe, and have superior differentiation capability. They can be applied to treating various incurable diseases caused by cell damage: diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, degenerative arthritis, cardiac infraction, cerebral infraction and renal failure.

Functions of Stem Cells