Medicine Information

3 Facts Everyone Should Know About Stem Cells


Cord Blood

Cord Blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. Cord Blood is routinely discarded with the placenta and umbilical cord. The blood in the cord is a rich source of stem cells. Stem cells are the building blocks of your blood and immune system. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into other types of cells in the body, and thus give rise to all the tissues, organs and systems in the body. The stems cells in a child's cord blood are genetically unique to the baby and its biological family.

Due to stem cells ability to differentiate into other types of cell tissue in the body, treatments can be developed for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Diabetes to name a few. Stem cells found in the cord blood are a valuable biological resource that researchers can use to investigate the potential of future applications for cord blood stem cells.

Cord Blood Banking

Cord Blood Banking is the process whereby umbilical cord blood stem cells are saved for potential medical uses. Cord blood banking includes the processes of collection, processing and storing of the umbilical cord blood. Collection involves drawing the cord blood from the umbilical cord, using either the syringe or bag collection method, after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. Processing involves the testing of the cord blood to determine whether it meets eligibility standards and removing and red blood cells or plasma that will not be needed in transplantation. Storage involves storing the cord blood unit in a vinyl or plastic bag in which it is frozen in liquid nitrogen.

There are two types of cord blood banks. Firstly there are the family banks, which store the umbilical cord for one's own family use. Secondly, there are the public donor banks, which store the umbilical cord blood for unrelated or non-family use - which is public use. Every parent has the option of saving their baby's cord blood for their family use, while only a small number of people may be able to donate their baby's cord blood stem cells.

Cord Blood Stem Cells

There are three sources of stem cells: bone marrow, peripheral blood (that is the blood that circulates through the body) and umbilical cord blood. Cord blood stem cells, however, are different from other types of stem cells. By freezing these cells, any aging or damage to these cells is prevented, that usually occurs later in life. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are also more proliferate than adult stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on topical health matters.


MORE RESOURCES:

National Academy of Sports Medicine Launches New Course ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
CALABASAS, CA, Nov 21, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM; www.nasm.org), a leader in fitness training ...


PR Web (press release)

BodyLogicMD Sponsors American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
"It is a natural step for BodyLogicMD in terms of demonstrating our growth and support in the field of anti-aging medicine and bioidentical hormone therapy. ...
BodyLogicMD Opens Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Location in Chicago PR Web (press release)
all 12 news articles


University of South Alabama College of Medicine Chooses MDaudit(TM)
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
... WIRE) -- Hayes Management Consulting announced today that it will provide its MDaudit(TM) software to University of South Alabama College of Medicine. ...


Fresh News

Three Employees Fired After Patient Chokes on Medicine, Dies
FOXNews - Nov 20, 2008
GOLDSBORO, NC — North Carolina officials have fired three employees and disciplined others in the death of a patient who was neglected for more than 22 ...
Firings a good first step in neglect case CharlotteObserver.com
all 38 news articles


BBC News

The uneasy link between war and medicine
BBC News, UK - 13 hours ago
Each portray the stark realities of war in their time, and show how medicine has struggled over the years to heal the injured. In one corner of the Wellcome ...
War and Medicine at the Wellcome Collection, NW1 Times Online
all 2 news articles


China Daily

The wrong medicine
TheDay, CT - 11 hours ago
If we had any reasonable expectation that a $25 billion federal loan would fix what ails the Detroit auto industry, we would support it. ...
Video: Automakers Testify As Hopes for Aid Falter AssociatedPress
Detroit bailout? No way! The Oregonian - OregonLive.com
Auto bailout must come with strings Visalia Times-Delta
all 1,752 news articles


Entry Level Finding Ways to Help Children With Cancer
New York Times, United States - 5 hours ago
She comes to the job with a master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Touro College and a lifelong love of cooking. On doing acupuncture on small children: ...


Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company to Announce Third Quarter ...
FOXBusiness - 5 hours ago
Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company, through its operating subsidiaries Tongjitang Pharmaceutical, Tongjitang Distribution, Tongjitang Chain Stores, ...


Overworked doctors would not recommend careers in medicine
SmartBrief, DC - 3 hours ago
A survey of primary care doctors indicates most feel overworked and would not recommend medicine as a career. Nearly half the doctors who responded to the ...


Research and Markets: This Global Research Report in Medicine and ...
MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
Nanomaterials, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics and nanoscience in medicine & biology represent the largest concentration of R&D. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006