The Future of Stem Cells: 5 Uses You’ll Likely See in Your Lifetime

A quick search for the potential of stem cells can bring up really exciting results. Currently, Prolean Wellness offers stem cell therapy only as treatment for existing conditions, and you can read more about that here. However, to emphasize the promise of these amazing cells, here are five stem cell implementations that will hopefully be readily available in the very near future. Thanks to CIRM for getting all this awesome info for us!

1. Restoring Sight. A recent study by UC San Diego removed cataracts from the eyes of visually impaired children and stimulated the native stem cells to replace their lenses. The new tissue improved their sight, and hopefully in the near future, sight will be fully restored. 
2. Light-Sensitive “Bio-Bots”. Talk about a combo of man and machine! Researchers at the University of Illinois printed muscle cells onto flexible, ring-shaped skeletons. These cells were designed to contract when exposed to light, just like normal muscles. Their main potential is for accurate disease research, and scientists may soon be able to develop other types of tissue such as brain, heart, lung, etc. Check out Morning Rounds for more info. 
3. Kill Cancer. That’s the big dream, I know. But it could soon be a reality! Scientists are beginning to genetically engineer stem cells into immune cells that are highly effective at killing cancer. Along with that, according to CIRN, “Scientists can repair genetic mutations in human stem cells and other cell types and then use these repaired cells to replace diseased or damaged tissue or to perform therapeutic functions in patients.” 
4. Accurate Stem Cell Tracking. I’m sure you’ve heard of the unbelievable results patients have had from stem cell therapy, but wouldn’t it be neat if you could see how it happened? By allowing the cells to absorb a fluorine-based tracer, scientists can effectively detect stem cells throughout the body in an MRI. That means that they can see exactly how stem cells react after being introduced to the body.
5. 3-D Printed Body Parts. Not even kidding. By 3-D printing stem cells onto biodegradable scaffolds, researchers at Wake Forest University successfully created custom human body parts. The special printer allows the cells to develop into life-size tissues and organs with channels that allow for blood and oxygen flow. It sounds to sci-fi to be true, but it’s potentially one of the most groundbreaking developing technologies!

If this info doesn’t get you excited, maybe you need a shot of stem cells to regenerate your happiness. Just kidding, but the future looks bright! If you’re interested in what stem cells can do for you today, give us a call at (480)477-6334 or book your consultation at https://www.proleanwellness.com/stem-cell-therapy/.