Stem Cells: Background Info
How It All Started
Dr. Ernest McCulloch and Dr. James Till, of the University of Toronto, are often regarded as the fathers of stem cell research. Their accidental findings were published alongside their radition research papers on Feburary 1, 1961 while working at the Ontario Cancer Institue (OCI). These findings "proved the existence of stem cells" and layed the foundation for future stem cell research. (1)
Uses Then
Although stem cell research is still relatively new, the most used treatment using stem cells are bone marrow transplants. Even before the establishment of stem cell research in the scientific field, bone marrow transplants were used to treat cancer patients. The first successful transplant was in 1956 to a patient with leukemia. And even non-cancer patients used bone marrow transplants to overcome their disease; the first successful transplant for a non-cancer patient was in 1968 for a "boy with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID)" (2)
Now
Today, stem cell research has reached a long way. Of course, bone marrow transplants are still being used to treat patients but now, there are more advanced treatments for various disease. There is even a successful treatment for Bubble Baby Disease. However, stem cell research is still young and there are still many discoveries to be made. Perhaps there will be a cure for cancer or even baldness? For some recent innovations of stem cell research:
Challenges of Stem Cell Research
The major challenge in furthering stem cell research is the difficulty of isolating and identifying scare adult stem cells. Scientists must be able to isolate certain stem cells from a pile of thousands of different cells in adult tissues. Additionally, "immunological rejection is a major barrier to successful stem cell transplants". Therefore, in order for there to be successful stem cell therapies and transplants, scientists must be able to fully understand the function and potential of stem cells. (3)
