In class today we had a skype chat with a stem cell researcher named Dr. Cheris Seg.  I learned a lot about stem cell research and I got to ask her some questions about what she does.  Here is what I learned:

There are 3 types of stem cells: HIPSC stem cells (Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells), embryonic stem cell, and adult stem cells.  Stem cells are basically generalized cells that are not cells to a specific organ.  The stem cells can go thrue process that can make the cells specialize into specific cells, which is a very big medical advancement.

Our question was: What is the most recent advancement in stem cell research?

Answer: The fact that we no longer need to use embryonic stem cells from aborted fetuses, we instead can use pluripotent stem cells where there is much less controversy around harvesting these stem cells.

I DID HAVE A PICTURE BUT EDUBLOG WOULD NOT LET ME PUT IT ON THE POST (SORRY)