3-D Experiments coming out with several uses of adult stem cells

Recently researchers have come to know about the higher flexibility of a type of adult cells. A type of adult cells has been found to have higher versatility by the use of 3D experiments. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are one such type of the adult stem cells that have proved that these can be used in many researches and stem cell therapy. Dr. Paul Genever of York University participated in the annual science meet of National Stem Cell Network in London. He told about his work to grow MSCs under lab conditions that are mainly used during this therapy. It is because these cells have high potential to form a wide range of different cells that might be early precursors or muscle cells of heart.

As it is a well recognized fact the adult cells have already shown a great hope and proved to be highly significant for the repair of damaged cartilage structure and bone. These are most commonly found in the bone marrow, blood and other tissues in the body of adults or children. It is being predicted that the research will help to create a 3D environment which is generally occupied by the stem cells in the body of a human being. It will help to generate the exact conditions as in the human body so as to influence MSCs for the generation of different cell types. It is another fact that till now they have been found to be limited in the cell types they were capable to form under laboratory.

As per Genever, he has grown these cells in 2D layers under laboratory conditions. These were showing high ability to form fat, cartilage structure or bones. The uses of adult stem cells grown this way were many but they were limited to only these three cell types. Now with the aid of 3D technique it is possible to provide exact level of nutrients, mechanical forces and oxygen level which are present in a human body. The use of 3D layer instead of 2D increases their chances to develop into more number of different cell types. They indentify their roles swiftly and complete it effectively. This reflects their versatile nature. The MSCs are tiny spheres that measure just about 200-300mm across. It is just half the size of a tiny dust particle.

It is possible that one can observe the impacts of interactions within these small spheres. The interaction would be between number of cells or between these cells and several other supporting structures. The mesenchymal stem cells can be linked to other cells types. The most commonly used cell types are endothelial cells. These endothelial cells are found on the blood vessel surface. Professor Douglas Kell who is CE of BBSRC said that benefits of stem cells are widely known. They are useful for regular development of the body and its repair. This research will surely help to know about the exact environment that stem cells go through under regular body conditions of human beings and animals. Thanks to the 3D experiments that have made this wonderful research possible. It is a critical study in the fight against many severe diseases.