What are stem cells and how are they used?
Stem cells are the body’s “master cells” because they are the building blocks of organ tissue, blood, and the immune system. A stem cell is a cell that has the ability to divide (self replicate) for indefinite periods and can give rise (differentiate) to the many different cell types that make up the human body. Stem cells have the potential to develop into mature cells with specialised functions, such as heart cells, skin cells, nerve cells or all types of blood cells.
Your body uses its stem cells to maintain healthy normal tissue and to repair damaged or worn out cells and tissue.
Cord blood contains stem cells called haematopoietic stem cells (HSC’s) which have the ability to develop into all types of human blood cells. They form the white cells that fight infection and produce immunity, the red cells that carry oxygen and platelets that promote clotting.