How can Scientists Advance Embryonic Stem Cell Research in the Future?

Lovell-Badge, Robin. "The future for stem cell research." Nature 414. (2001): 88-91. Web. 15 Nov 2009. Article Link.

Stem cell research has come a long way in the last decade. In the future, scientists look toward times when stem cells can be used to regenerate organs, facilitate regrowth of neural tissue in devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and as a treatment therapy for diabetes. With such a hopeful future and with everything that has already been discovered, there are still tremendous strides to be made – especially in such a politically charged, ethically sensitive arena.

Among several research elements still in need of more investigation is the use of single cells versus the use of a population of stem cells. In fact, one of the major limitations of recent experiments is that they are rarely performed with single cells. By using a population of cells, a scientist is testing a number of different cells, all carrying various potentials. By using a single cell, a scientist will be able to determine if that specific cell carries an unusual potential to differentiate into some tissue type (as opposed to whether a number of cells in a population have low to no probability of differentiating into that same tissue type). The solution for identifying single cells? Better stem cell markers.

And what about identifying optimal environments that facilitate stem cell differentiation? There are several components that determine ‘self renewal’ of a cell and its path towards determination – mainly membrane contact and influence of growth factors. If scientists could control for these factors, they could manipulate the ratio of stem to differentiated cells, as well as the rate of cellular proliferation. This caveat is problematic partly because scientists don’t yet fully understand the cellular mechanisms of embryonic stem cells – a wall that will transiently prevent the advance of any cell-based therapy.

As previously mentioned, molecular mechanisms of stem cells and their genetic properties continue to elude scientists. In fact, what are the cellular mechanisms underlying embryonic stem cells? How are these cells related to cancer cells? What molecular factors influence cellular differentiation? What if scientists could identify specific genes that permitted self-renewal and proliferation, or genes that promoted differentiation? These questions are so vast, yet we are forced to look to the future of stem cell therapy and research to yield the answers …

And what if we begin to answer these questions? The future of stem cell research will be in regenerative, cellular-based therapy. Scientists can further study neurodegenerative disorders, limb regeneration and reprogrammable cells. If it weren’t for policy, ‘evil’ scientists might turn toward human cloning and non-medicinal therapies. For this reason, and for the ambiguity withheld in the future of stem cells, research and policy will have to proceed hand-in-hand – as long as they share a collaborative relationship that promotes innovation and novelty within the field.

~ Courtney Mannino