by Andrea Lius, PhD – The Scientist –
Researchers bank on stem cells to study developmental biology, understand oral cancer, regenerate organs, and save species on the brink of extinction.
Stem cells can self-renew and differentiate into a wide variety of cell types, making them critical components in embryonic development. In adults, stem cell populations, such as those in the intestines, could turn into tumor cells and lead to the development of colorectal cancer. Ongoing research efforts have allowed scientists to better understand this transformation process, getting them closer to the possibility of treating this aggressive and often fatal type of cancer. Other breakthroughs in the field also suggest that scientists may one day use stem cells to repair muscle tissues following heart attacks and even save the giant panda from extinction.
