These blood-forming stem cells are more specialized than embryonic cells, but they can generate all types of blood and immune system cells.
Other types of stem cells are called “adult” or “tissue-specific” stem cells. They are found in everyone, including newborn babies, children and adults.
It is this unique property of self-renewing and becoming different types of specialized mature cells that has scientists excited about the possibility of using all kinds of stem cells to make replacement cells and to develop safer and more effective drugs.
Bone marrow transplants are a good example of an adult stem cell therapy that is already in use.
These patients receive transplanted bone marrow that includes blood-forming stem cells that will regenerate the patient’s blood and immune systems.
Greater understanding of how all types of stem cells self-renew could lead to other life-saving medical treatments.