Stem Cell Skype Chat

In Science, we have started our biology unit. We were able to contact with Charis Walco, a stem cell researcher who works for Stem Cell Technologies in Vancouver. She obtained her PhD from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, but is originally from Germany. She informed us about her work and the process of how stem cells are created. I found this a very educational and useful experience.

My questions:

How is the medium that sends the signals to the stem cells to be re-programmed made?

They add all the sugars and nutrients that the cells would need when they are growing the human body. There are about 50 steps. For example, in the womb the baby receives sugars and nutrients from the mother. So the medium provides those nutrients for the cells.

What are your opinions on the stem cell controversy?

She finds that the pluripotent stem cells are a great alternative, because of this break through embryonic stem cells are not needed as much.

I learned some interesting facts such as:

She works for Stem Cell Technologies. They produce products in that help with Stem Cell research

She got her PhD at Cambridge University, UK

Three Types of Stem Cells: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) Pluripotent, HIPSC (Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells), Adult Stem Cell

Pluripotent, HIPSC (Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells): Induced from Skin Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC): Taken from human embryos

Adult Stem Cell: A stem cell that continues to re-new

At the beginning of life, the human stem cells form a blastocyst. They continue to form more daughter cells.

The cells find out what kind of cells they need to be from their neighbour cells.

Instead of human embryotic cells to make organs and such, pluripotent cells could be used.

Pluripotent cells can be re-programmed into HIPSC

HIPSC can make any type of cell

So a skin cell could be re-programmed into a HIPSC, making liver stem cells.

The process takes about 35-40 days to make the liver, whilst adding a medium to send signals to the cells to make that specific organ.

This whole process is called “Differentiation”.

Currently there are about 80 diseases that can be treated with stem cells.

Overall, this was a very good learning experience. I learned a lot about stem cells and what scientists are doing right now to produce more of these cells which could potentially save lives.