Last Updated on September 18, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Stem cells have changed medicine a lot. They help treat many diseases and injuries. Over 3,000 stem cell transplants are done every year in the United States. This shows how important they are in healthcare.
Stem cells come from different places. These include embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Each type is special and used in different ways in medicine. When considering where do doctors get stem cells, the source depends on the specific type of treatment and the patient’s condition.
Stem cells are great because they can turn into many types of cells. This makes them very useful for fixing damaged tissues. As scientists learn more, stem cells could help even more people with serious illnesses.
Stem cells can renew themselves and change into different types of cells. This makes them special and important for learning about growth, fixing tissues, and treating diseases.
Recent studies found stem-like T cells in some people over 60. This shows how stem cells keep our immune systems strong as we age.
Stem cells have unique traits that let them keep their numbers and turn into different cell types. They can renew themselves and change into various cells.
“Stem cells can renew themselves and turn into specialized cells,” researchers say. “They are key for keeping tissues healthy and regenerating them,” they add.
The self-renewal ability lets stem cells keep their numbers. Their differentiation power lets them turn into specialized cells that do specific jobs in our bodies.
Stem cells are special because of their plasticity and how they can change based on their environment. This makes them very useful for medical research and possible treatments.
As scientists keep learning about stem cells, including those from embryos and adults, it’s key to understand their basic nature. This knowledge is vital for improving stem cell treatments.
The story of stem cell discovery is filled with curiosity and hard work. It has led to big steps forward in the field. This journey started with early research that set the stage for today’s stem cell treatments.
One key moment was finding embryonic stem cells. They can turn into many different cell types. This finding made people wonder about what are embryo stem cells and their role in growth.
Scientists have always been curious about where do we get stem cells from. They looked at sources like embryos and adult tissues. They wanted to know how stem cells can renew themselves and change into other cells.
Many scientists have played a big role in understanding stem cells. Their work has shown us how can we get stem cells and use them to help people.
“The discovery of stem cells has opened new avenues for medical research, promising treatments for many diseases and injuries.”
Where embryonic stem cells come from is a big question. Researchers are studying where do embryonic stem cells come from and how to use them for medicine.
The history of stem cell research shows the power of science and teamwork. By learning where did stem cells come from, we can see how far we’ve come and what’s next.
Stem cells are classified into four types based on their ability to develop into different cell types. This ability is called developmental potency.
Totipotent stem cells can become any cell in a complete organism. They exist in the earliest stages of an embryo. The zygote and its first few cells can turn into both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues.
Pluripotent stem cells can become almost any cell type in the body. But they can’t form a complete organism by themselves. Embryonic stem cells, from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, are an example. They can form cells from all three germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm.
Multipotent stem cells can become several cell types but are limited to a specific lineage. For example, hematopoietic stem cells can become all blood cells. But they can’t become nerve or muscle cells.
Unipotent stem cells can only become one cell type. They are often seen as progenitor cells because of their limited ability. Skin progenitor cells are an example, as they can only become skin cells.
Knowing the different stem cell types is key for their use in medicine. These cells come from various sources, including embryos, adult tissues, and induced pluripotent stem cells. This answers the question of where do they get stem cells from and shows the many sources of stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos, sparking ethical, legal, and social debates. These cells are taken from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early embryo about 5 days old. Knowing where they come from and how they are obtained is key to their use in medical research and therapy.
Embryonic stem cells are taken from the inner cell mass of blastocysts. This involves several steps, like isolating the inner cell mass and growing these cells in a lab. The process of how to generate stem cells from embryos is complex and requires precise techniques.
After getting a blastocyst from in vitro fertilization (IVF), it’s grown in a special medium. The cells are then broken down and grown in a lab. This needs a deep understanding of stem cell biology and how to keep them pluripotent.
The use of embryonic stem cells is debated due to their source: human embryos. Critics say it’s like taking human life. Supporters believe the benefits of this research, like finding cures for diseases, are worth it.
The debate also questions what does a stem cell look like and how it differs from other cells. Embryonic stem cells can turn into any cell type, making them valuable for research and therapy.
In the United States, using embryonic stem cells is regulated by laws that change over time. Researchers must follow strict guidelines about the source of these cells and their research.
Knowing where can we find stem cells and the laws around them is vital for research progress. Researchers often use stem cell lines from embryos donated for research, usually from IVF leftovers.
Regulating embryonic stem cell research is complex, involving science, ethics, and society. As research advances, the laws around these cells will likely change too.
The adult human body has many sources of stem cells. These cells are key for fixing tissues and growing new ones. They help keep tissues healthy and help the body heal from injuries.
Bone marrow is a major source of stem cells in adults. It has mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells. These cells are important for making blood and fixing bones and cartilage.
To get these stem cells, doctors use bone marrow aspiration. This method is used for bone marrow transplants and other treatments.
Adipose tissue, or fat, is also a big source of stem cells. Adipose-derived stem cells can turn into different cell types. This makes them very useful for fixing damaged tissues.
Doctors use liposuction to get these stem cells. They then use them in treatments to help repair and grow new tissues.
Peripheral blood is another place to find stem cells, but there are fewer of them. Hematopoietic stem cells are found in peripheral blood, mostly after certain drugs are used.
To collect stem cells from blood, doctors use a process called apheresis. This method filters the blood to get the stem cells.
Many organs in the body have special places for stem cells. These places, called niches, help keep stem cells healthy. They let stem cells help fix and grow new parts of their organs.
For example, the intestinal stem cell niche in the gut and the neural stem cell niche in the brain are important. Knowing about these niches helps doctors create better treatments for specific organs.
Getting stem cells from bone marrow is a complex process. It involves different methods. Bone marrow is full of stem cells, which are key for many medical treatments. These include regenerative medicine and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Bone marrow aspiration is a common way to get stem cells. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow, usually in the hip, to take out marrow. This is done under local anesthesia to reduce pain.
The marrow is then processed to find stem cells. These cells are used for treatments. The procedure is generally safe but can have risks and complications.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSCC) is another method. It moves stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood using special drugs. Then, apheresis is used to collect these cells from the blood.
PBSCC is less invasive than aspiration and can be very effective. But, it needs careful monitoring and adjusting of drugs to get enough stem cells.
Donors may face side effects like fatigue, pain, and reactions to mobilization drugs. Most donors get better in a few weeks. But, recovery times can vary based on health and the harvesting method.
Talking to healthcare professionals about risks and benefits is key for donors. This helps them make informed choices about donating stem cells.
Umbilical cord blood is now seen as a key part of regenerative medicine. It’s rich in stem cells, making it valuable for treating diseases. This material, once seen as waste, is now a key resource.
Collecting umbilical cord blood happens right after a baby is born. It’s safe for both mom and baby. The collection is done after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut.
Trained healthcare professionals can get a lot of cord blood. They send it to a lab for processing and storage. The whole process is designed to be safe and efficient. The blood is tested for diseases and contaminants before being stored.
Parents can choose to store their baby’s cord blood in public or private banks. Public cord blood banks store blood for anyone in need. This is a kind act that helps patients all over the world. On the other hand, private cord blood banks keep the blood for the family’s use.
Umbilical cord blood has many benefits over other stem cell sources. It’s full of hematopoietic stem cells, which are important for making blood cells. Also, cord blood stem cells are less mature, which means they’re less likely to be rejected by the immune system.
Using cord blood for therapy also lowers the risk of graft-versus-host disease. This is a big problem with other stem cell transplants. Plus, getting the cord blood is painless and safe for both mom and baby. This makes it a great choice for getting stem cells.
The placenta and amniotic fluid are now key sources of stem cells. They are important for medical research and treatments. These stem cells are unique and have many uses in medicine.
Stem cells from the placenta and amniotic fluid are collected after birth. This method is safe and ethical. It’s a way to get stem cells without harming the donor.
Stem cell extraction from these sources is safe and efficient. The extracted stem cells can help in many medical ways, like regenerative medicine.
The placenta and amniotic fluid have many types of stem cells. These include mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. They can turn into different cell types, which is good for treatments.
Studies show these stem cells can help with many health issues. They can differentiate and proliferate. A leading researcher says, “Perinatal stem cells are a promising area for regenerative medicine, giving hope to those with no current treatments.”
“The placenta and amniotic fluid are rich sources of stem cells, which can be used for a variety of therapeutic applications, including tissue repair and regeneration.”
Perinatal stem cells from the placenta and amniotic fluid are being studied for treating diseases. They can turn into many cell types, making them great for regenerative medicine.
Research is looking into using these stem cells for treating degenerative diseases and injuries. Their uses are vast, with studies on heart diseases, brain disorders, and more.
In conclusion, the placenta and amniotic fluid are rich in stem cells. They hold great promise for medical research and treatments. As we learn more about perinatal stem cells, their role in medicine will grow.
Stem cells from fat tissue are getting more attention. They are versatile and have great healing power. These cells, called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), come from fat. They can be taken in big amounts through liposuction.
Liposuction is a common way to get fat tissue. It removes fat from the body, often under anesthesia. Then, the fat is processed to get the stem cells.
Liposuction Techniques: There are different liposuction methods. These include tumescent, ultrasound-assisted, and laser-assisted liposuction. The method used can affect the quality and amount of stem cells.
To get stem cells from fat, several steps are needed. These include breaking down the fat, separating the cells, and growing them. The goal is to get a clean batch of stem cells for treatment.
Adipose-derived stem cells are promising for many uses. They are good for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and cosmetic surgery. They can turn into different cell types, helping repair damaged tissues.
Regenerative Medicine: ASCs might help with osteoarthritis, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.
Cosmetic Applications: In cosmetic surgery, ASCs are used for fat grafting and skin renewal. They improve the results of these procedures.
Dental sources are becoming a key area for stem cell research. They offer new chances in regenerative medicine. Dental stem cells are getting attention because they are easy to get and could help in many ways.
Extracted teeth pulp is a main source of dental stem cells. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are found in the pulp of teeth pulled for various reasons. They can turn into different cell types, which is great for fixing dental and bone issues.
To get DPSCs, teeth are pulled, and the pulp is taken out. Then, the stem cells are isolated. DPSCs grow fast and can form colonies, showing they could be useful for healing.
Baby teeth are also a good source of stem cells. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are very flexible and can become many cell types. SHED cells come from baby teeth and grow and change a lot.
Dental stem cell banking means saving stem cells from dental tissues for later use. There are private and public banking services. Private banking lets families save their child’s stem cells for future needs, while public banking donates cells for research and treatments.
Choosing to bank dental stem cells depends on personal needs and the benefits of having them saved. As research grows, dental stem cells could lead to more healing options.
The field of regenerative medicine has seen a big change with the creation of stem cells in labs. This new method lets scientists make stem cells without using embryos or adult tissues.
Induced pluripotent stem cells are made by changing adult cells into many types of cells. This is done by adding special genes to adult cells. iPSCs could change personalized medicine by giving cells that match the patient’s genes.
To make iPSCs, scientists follow these steps:
Cloning makes copies of cells, including stem cells. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a way to clone stem cells. It moves the nucleus of an adult cell into an egg cell. This method is used for research and therapy.
Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, a leader in iPSC research, said,
“The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells has opened up new avenues for the study of disease and the development of new therapies.”
Scientists are also working on making synthetic and artificial stem cells. These cells act like natural stem cells but are made artificially. This research could lead to new treatments.
The field of making stem cells in labs is growing fast. New discoveries are being made all the time. As research gets better, we’ll see more uses of these cells in medicine.
Effective stem cell therapy starts with careful processing and preparation. This step makes sure the cells are safe and work well for treatment.
Stem cells are taken from places like bone marrow, fat tissue, or umbilical cord blood. Density gradient centrifugation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) help get these cells. They pick out stem cells based on their unique traits.
After getting the stem cells, they need to be cleaned up. This removes other cells and stuff. Magnetic bead separation and immunoselection help make the cells pure. This is key for stem cell therapy to work.
To have enough stem cells for treatment, they need to grow. Expansion and culture processes help them do this. They grow the cells in special places with the right food and helpers.
It’s very important to check the quality of stem cells. Quality control measures include tests for cleanliness, life, and strength. They also check if the cells are who they’re supposed to be and if they work right. These steps are vital for safe and effective treatments.
By improving how stem cells are processed and prepared, we can make treatments better. This brings new hope for treating many diseases and injuries.
It’s important to know the rules for collecting stem cells safely and ethically. The rules are complex, with many guidelines and bodies watching over them.
In the U.S., the FDA is key in controlling stem cell collection and use. They make sure stem cell products are safe and work well. They have strict rules for donor eligibility, cell processing, and product manufacturing.
The FDA also checks the labeling and tracking of stem cell products. This helps prevent diseases and ensures quality.
Worldwide, rules for stem cell collection differ a lot. Some places have stringent regulations like the U.S., while others are more permissive. For example, Japan and South Korea support stem cell therapy development.
Groups like the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) help set global standards. They guide on ethics, donor consent, and using stem cells responsibly.
Ethical committees are key to making sure stem cell work is done right. They check research to follow ethical rules, like informed donor consent and donor rights protection.
In the U.S., IRBs and Ethics Committees watch over stem cell research. Internationally, ethical reviews are part of research to respect donors.
New technologies are making it easier to get stem cells. This could change how we treat diseases. Scientists are finding new ways to use stem cells for healing.
Bioengineering has created new ways to get stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are made from adult cells. This method makes treatments safer because they match the patient’s cells.
Adult cells are changed into stem cells. This lets them turn into different types of cells. It’s a big step forward for treating diseases and finding new medicines.
Direct reprogramming changes one cell type into another without going through a stem cell stage. This method avoids the risks of using embryonic stem cells and tumors.
Direct reprogramming turns fibroblasts into neurons and other cells. It’s a big step for fixing damaged tissues. This makes it easier to create specific cells for treatments.
3D bioprinting makes complex stem cell structures. It arranges cells and materials to create tissue-like structures.
3D bioprinting is key for making tissues for transplants. It could help treat many diseases and injuries. It’s a big step forward in medicine.
These new technologies will be important for stem cell research. They will help us find new ways to treat diseases.
Stem cell research has shown us where these cells come from and how we can use them. We now know about embryonic and adult stem cells in different parts of our body. This knowledge is vast and exciting.
Stem cells can be found in many tissues, and getting them is getting easier. Knowing where to find stem cells is key for new medical discoveries. These cells can turn into many types, helping in healing and medicine.
New sources of stem cells are being found, like in dental pulp and umbilical cord blood. We can also turn regular cells into stem cells, opening new doors for treatment. The technology and science behind getting stem cells from these sources are advancing fast.
The future of stem cell research looks bright, with hopes to treat many diseases and injuries. As we keep exploring, it’s clear that stem cells will be a big part of future medicine.
Stem cells are used in treatments like regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and cell therapy. They help repair or replace damaged tissues.
Dental stem cells, from pulp tissue or deciduous teeth, are used in regenerative dentistry. They help repair and regenerate tissues.
Public cord blood banking donates blood for others. Private cord blood banking stores it for personal or family use.
Stem cells are prepared through isolation, purification, expansion, and culture. Quality control ensures their safety and effectiveness.
New sources of stem cells include bioengineered cells, direct reprogramming, and 3D bioprinting of stem cell structures.
The FDA sets rules for stem cell collection in the U.S. These rules cover processing, storage, and use of stem cells.
iPSCs are made by changing adult cells, like skin or blood cells, into a pluripotent state. This is done using specific genes or factors.
Perinatal stem cells, from the placenta and amniotic fluid, are used in regenerative medicine. They help repair tissues and modulate the immune system.
Adipose-derived stem cells are taken from fat tissue. This is done through liposuction, then the cells are isolated.
Umbilical cord blood is a good source of stem cells. It’s easy to get and has less risk of disease compared to other sources.
To get stem cells from bone marrow, a needle is used to extract them. Or, stem cells are collected from the bloodstream after being mobilized.
Embryonic stem cells come from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst. This is usually from embryos made through in vitro fertilization.
There are several types of stem cells. These include totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, and unipotent stem cells.
Stem cells come from different places. They can be found in embryos, bone marrow, fat tissue, umbilical cord blood, placenta, and amniotic fluid.