L1

Question 1

why is the idea of tissue repair and regeneration not a new concept?

Answer 1

• idea of tissue repair and regeneration has been around for a long time
• myth- regeneration of prometheus liver
• first tissue transplant- leg 275AD - didnt happen but sows awareness
• fountain of youth
• philosiphers stone

Question 2

where is the origin of the stem cell?

Answer 2

• tree of life - STAMBOURNE so stem cell = STAMZELLE.

- one cell can create whole rest of organism / tree/ all cells.

Question 3

what is a stem cell defined as?

Answer 3

A cell which has the potential to generate different specialised tissues/cells (differentiate) and can also endlessly self-renew

Question 4

how can stem cells be classified?

Answer 4

• Age of development (embryonic + adult)
• tissue of origin
• potential to produce different cell types (e.g. totipotent, multpotent)

Question 5

what is meant by a totipotent stem cell?

Answer 5

A cell which can generate all cells of the embryo including the trophoblast - placenta (zygote)

Question 6

what is meant by a pluripotent stem cell?

Answer 6

A cell which can generate all cells derived from the 3 germ layers

Question 7

what is meant by a multipotent stem cell?

Answer 7

cell which can develop multiple cell types of a particular tissue/ organ - few specialised lineages

Question 8

what is meant by a unipotent stem cell?

Answer 8

A cell which can only generate one type of specilaised cell - only has one lineage. e.g satellite cell.

Question 9

what is meant by autologous therapy?

Answer 9

therapy where stem cells are removed from a patient and are expanded/modified ex vivo, and then re transplanted into the same patient.

• also iPSCs can be considered autologous

Question 10

what is meant by allogenic therapy?

Answer 10

Therapy where stem cells are remoed from a donor, and then are expanded/modified in vitro, and are then transplanted into a different individual.

Question 11

what is the point of the recruitment of endogenous SCs from the same tissue?

Answer 11

• idea is to induce activation of quiescent stem cells in damaged tissue. e.g. using drugs

Question 12

what needs to be examined in tirals before stem cells can be used for therapy?

Answer 12

• efficacy
• safety
• functionality
• purity + manufacturing process

Question 13

what is the link between stem cells and anti-cancer therapies?

Answer 13

If cancer stem cells can be targetted/kills in cancer therapies the chances of the cancer coming back is reduced - as cancer loses the regenerative capacity