Cell and Gene Therapy

Technologies in Stem Cell Research

Stem cell technology is now a days a rapidly emerging field that combines the efforts of cell biologists, clinicians and geneticists. This offers a hope for effective treatment for a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Research has also shown that other than hematopoietic stem cells there are stem cells present in other sites. Hematopoietic stem cells research has made much progress than research in solid tissue stem cells. But the tissue stem cells have proven to be ideal for cell replacement therapy as it has the ability to integrate into the tissue cytoarchitechture under the control of host microenvironment and developmental cues. Moreover, it has also been found that transferring gene into hematopoietic stem cells may allow treatment of genetic diseases. Neurone replacement is done by using neuronal stem cells in disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s diseases. As a result of integrative effort with clinical applications of manipulated stem cells combining developments in transplantation and gene therapy, stem cell technology is advancing.