Stem Cells

Understanding The Use Of A Stem Cell Marker

Stem cell markers are vital in the utilization of stem cells. Stem cells are unique from other cells in that they can turn into a variety of specialized cells. This ability to become a special type of cell makes them useful in treating many diseases.

But finding stem cells can be a challenge. Stem cells do not look any different from all the other cells that surround them. Moreover, these cells aren't very common, so scientists need a way to locate stem cells. Stem cell markers are the solution.

The process of identifying stem cells involves several steps. First, cells are coated with special proteins called receptors. Molecules then bind to these receptors. Since receptors are unique depending on the type of cells they coat, scientists can mark the cells to differentiate the types.

The way these cells are tagged or marked is the molecule that binds to the receptors emits light. These glowing markers then can been seen when the cells are illuminated using an ultraviolet light or laser. Different color lights are used to differentiate between the types of cells.

One way scientists find and sort stem cells is using what's called a fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique. This technique, also called FACS, is used by many scientists and researches to locate stem cells that are surrounded by millions of other cells.

First the cells are tagged or marked. Then a suspension created of these marked cells is sent through an extremely narrow nozzle under high pressure. This nozzle is so incredibly narrow that only one single cell can go through the opening at a time.

As these cells individually come out of the nozzle, they are then passed though a laser or other light source. After passing through the light source, the cells go through an electric field that impacts how the cells are charged. Fluorescent cells are negatively charged while cells that aren't fluorescent are positively charged. It is important that the cells are charged differently because then the researchers can separate the stem cells from the other cells.

Before stem cell research can be done, scientists first have to separate out the stem cells. Since these cells are limited in number, a technique like fluorescence-activated cell sorting is required to produce the necessary stem cell populations.

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting isn't the only technique researchers use to separate out stem cells. Another approach used is to study the cells as they reside within tissue. For instance, the cells are marked and then studied under a microscope. The reason researchers often use this method is so they can study stem cells as they appears in tissue.

Stem cell research is vital because it enables scientists and researchers to learn new ways to treat serious, and often deadly, diseases. By extracting stem cells and creating stem-cell rich samples, researchers can conduct specific studies on certain types of diseases. On the other hand, by studying stem cells as they exist within tissue, scientists can learn more about where these important cells are located in the human body. Stem cell markers make both types of research possible.