Tag: biotechnology and its applications

Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos. In human beings, they are derived from inner cell mass of 3 to 5 days old hollow microscopic ball of cells called blastocyst.

Totipotency refers to the ability of many cells to retain the full genetic potential characteristic of the mature organism from which any of the cells were obtained, and thus enable the cell to regenerate the organism’s tissues and organs under favorable conditions. The possibility of regenerating an entire plant from a single or few non-zygotic cells was proposed by Gottlieb Haberlandt in 1902. Haberlandt is popularly called the father of tissue culture.

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 umbilical cord is the structure which attaches the fetus with the placenta in the maternal womb. The cord blood is the sample of blood which is collected from the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord contains the embryonic stem cells which can use for the treatment of disorders during the life of an individual and so, they are preserved. 

The technique in which the stem cells are transplanted from donor into the patient for production of the new cells is known as the stem cell therapy. Heller was the scientist who performed experiments on the hair cells in the cochlea. The damaged hair cells were transplanted with the embryonic stem cells. The damaged cells showed growth and differentiated to form the hair cells. 

There are different types of transplantations in which the donor from which the stem cells are received differs. In the case of the syngeneic stem cell transplantation, the stem cells are obtained from the identical twin. There are very fewer chances of graft versus host reaction and rejection in these type of transplantation.

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. 

Totipotency was first demonstrated by Steward and Reinert in the 1950s. Professor F. C. Steward discovered and laid the foundation for plant tissue culture; genetic engineering and plant biotechnology of food crops or trees.