Tag: biotechnology and its applications

The inner cells present in the blastocyst are the embryonic stem cells. When the embryonic culture is performed for obtaining the stem cells, the embryo is cultured till the blastocyst stage. The cells present as the inner cell mass are removed which act as a source of pluripotent stem cells which can differentiate into cells of the complete body.

The cells, tissues, semen and embryo can be preserved for longer periods at lower temperatures using cryopreservation. When the cells are frozen, there is formation of ice crystals in the cells which will rupture the cells. The cryoprotectants like DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide) prevents the formation of these crystals when the cells are stored in liquid nitrogen. 

Stem cells are found in all organisms and are capable of dividing to form new cells which can be differentiated into various types of specialised cells. The progenitor cells have the capability to differentiate into one type of cell. Due to this property, they are also known as unipotent stem cells. The pancreatic progenitor cells can from the cells in the pancreas. 

Many mechanisms are used to obtain the stem cells. The somatic cells or the reproductive cells can be induced to form the stem cells using genetic reprogramming method. Reprogramming can be performed using the factors or proteins which induce the normal body cells to be stimulated to form stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are generally formed with the help of the induction mechanism. 

The amniotic fluid is present in the amniotic cavity in which the embryo develops. The amniotic fluid contains the stem cells. These cells can be checked by karyotyping for the presence of any chromosomal disorder. These stem cells are present till the childbirth because after birth, the structures are expelled out. 

The pericytes are the stem cells which are found in the adult tissues. These cells are generally found in the outer layer of the blood vessels. These cells can be used for transplantation in the individual who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder which results in weakening and wasting of the muscle tissues. The pericytes are the stem cells which can help in the production of the new muscle tissues.

SCNT stand for somatic cell nuclear transfer. It is a laboratory technique for creating an ovum with a donor nucleus. It can be used in embryonic stem cell research, or in regenerative medicine.

The stem cell transplantation is the method which can be used for the treatment of many disorders like cancer, genetic defects, etc. The main complication of this method is graft rejection by the host. The graft may contain antigens which act as a foreign body in the host. The antibodies are produced against this organ which results in the rejection and destruction of the organ in the host. The rejection is also referred as graft failure.