Stem Cells, The Possibilities Are Endless

      Stem cell research has earned a lot of stigma since their emergence into the medical field as possible vehicles for cures to different types of diseases. However, in more recent news, specifically on October 8, 2012, the New York Times published an article that gave recognition to two scientists who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine based on their research in cloning and stem cells. The scientific community has come a long way to finally be awarded such a prestigious honor in research that has always been viewed negatively in society due to ethical and religious views. "Dr. Gurdon was the first to clone an animal" and "Dr. Yamanaka discovered" proteins that converted adult cells to an egg like state (Wade, Cloning and Stem Cell Work Earns Nobel). The two recipients John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka have been conducting research in their respective fields for many years. Dr. Yamanaka, specifically, has been conducting research into figuring out what genes can convert adult cells to pluripotent stem cells, called "induced pluripotent cells" (Wade, Cloning and Stem Cell Work Earns Nobel). In 2006, Dr. Yamanaka found 4 genes that can be inserted into the adult cell nucleus that change the cell into a egg like cell, which can now act as a stem cell and can be manipulated to different types of tissues. The vast amount of treatment possibilities with stem cells attracts researchers worldwide and steps taken by researchers such as Dr. Gurdon and Dr. Yamanaka prove that advancement will benefit humanity.

      Recently, Loyola's own, Professor Jessica Brann presented her research in neural stem cell regeneration, specifically in the olfactory system. Stem cells are localized in two regions of the brain, hippocampal and olfactory epithelium. Prof Brann is interested in trying to find the regenerative capacity of these olfactory epithelium neural stem cells in aged animals. To determine if the regenerative capacity of the stem cells was intact in aged animals, injury, such as removing a part of the of the olfactory bulb, was induced. Results were obtained to see if the stem cells were regenerated, and they were. Prof Brann's research is quite interesting because the possibility of neural stem cells was not always addressed in aged animals, only the young. By focusing in aged systems, the research on stem cells can apply to neural degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's that appears among the elderly.  These neural stem cells can easily be isolated and manipulated and invite many possibilities for clinical applications. Prof Brann's investigation into neural stem cell regeneration and proliferation in adult aged animals can provide very important clues as to how to approach the problems of neurological diseases.

    The advancements that are being made in both neural stem cell research and stem cell research is astonishing and the results are very promising. With the diversity of stem cells, the possibility for a cure is close at hand. Diseases where tissues are ravaged can become cured in the near future with the aid of stem cells. By taking leaps towards a better future, researchers and scientists invested in stem cell research are advancing the intellect necessary to solve problems like diseases. The possibilities again, are endless.

Works Cited:

Wade. "Cloning and Stem Cell Work Earns Nobel." New York Times, October 8, 2012.

http://brannlab.weebly.com/research.html