Robert Lanza’s expansive and adorned career is rooted firmly in the fundamentals of stem cell research. His research into stem cells and their use as a potential derivative for organ and tissue cells have been lauded as medical breakthroughs. His research has allowed scientists all over the world to gain a deeper understanding of nuclear transfers and how growing organ tissues from stem cells could be more beneficial to humans.
All of this research stems from the stem cell. The stem cell is a remarkable type of cell which has the potential to grow and develop into nearly any other type of cell found in the human body.
Robert Lanza specializes in stem cell research that focuses on developing these cells into other organ tissues.
Stem cells also serve as the body’s repair system in many types of tissues. It has the potential to divide and develop almost infinitely, a continuous renewal of body tissue even after the stem cell has been inactive for long periods of time. Mainly, scientists work on two types of stem cells: the
embryonic stem cells and the
somatic or adult stem cells. The embryonic stem cells in particular have been given particular emphasis as they have more potential in terms of developing and repairing other types of body tissues.
Early embryonic stem cells were derived from mice embryos, but recent developments, such as the one Robert Lanza has pioneered, have allowed scientists to use stem cells of human embryos. These stem cells are referred to as
human embryonic stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells made use of embryos fertilized through
in vitro fertilization that were no longer needed for reproductive purposes. This is done with the informed consent of the donor.
These stem cells are what makes the blastocyst (the three- to five-day old embryo) develop into a whole organism. Through stem cell research, more possibilities are being opened up to the medical field in terms of repairing human tissue and organ damage. Robert Lanza’s stem cell studies are profiled at
www.robertlanza.com.
