The stem cell revolution: a biologic nanotechnology.

摘要

We have witnessed revolutionary advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases; however, debilitating illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and diseases of the nervous system (eg, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases) continue to deprive people of health, independence, and well-being. The discovery by developmental biologists of human stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, and adult stem cells, has been a major breakthrough in understanding disease modelling, therapeutic targeting, and tissue engineering. As a result, scientists can now perform experiments aimed at determining the mechanisms underlying the conversion of a single, undifferentiated cell into the different cells comprising the organs and tissues of the human body. Taking this further, the concept of producing replacement parts of the body for damaged or lost organs lies at the core of the varied biotechnologic practices referred to generally as tissue engineering. Use of postnatal adult stem cells has the potential to significantly alter the perspective of tissue engineering, avoiding fetal tissues. Successful long-term restoration of continuously self-renewing tissues such as skin or mucosal lining, for example, depends on the use of extensively self-renewing stem cells.