Cryopreservation Technology for Stem Cell Investigation - Term Paper Example

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Cryopreservation Technology for Stem Cell Research Summary During the past existence, the stem cells constantly used to get spoilt through freezing owing to the osmotic tension that they encounter. This was due to the application of salt to the cells as a way of conservation which regrettably caused dehydration and ultimately destructiveness of the cells. Opportunely over time, the novel discovery of new technologies came up. This led to the development of one of the chief techniques in the scientific field called the cryopreservation technology of the stem cells which has negligible side effects on the preserved stem cells. Cryopreservation is the practice of preserving stem cells via the cryoprotectants as the chief agent for future use. Stem cells are organic cells found in every multicellular creature that are competent of dividing and differentiate into countless specialized cells form and can self repair itself. This procedure entail the utilization of extremely complex equipments and techniques used to preserve ovaries tissues, moss, embryos cells, Oocytes, testicular tissues, semen, osteo-articulr cartilage and the entire organ. This process is essential since it has the capacity to preserve and store stem cells at room temperature. Thereby, opposing the logistical harms involved during transportation and storage in the refrigerators and the liquid nitrogen. Lyophilized cells are cells that are chilled and dried for the intention of preservation. This procedure is done with the goal of preservation of cells for cell treatment, cell transplantation and also blood transfusion [10]. In conclusion the subject analysis is exceptionally significant because through application of this process in the technical industry, it will ultimately open up a world of potential for the researchers to labor with an extensive variety of stem cells in future. Key words: Cryopreservation. Stem cell. Osteo- articular. Lyophilized. Cryoprotectants. Introduction Cryopreservation technology for stem cell study is extraordinarily vital because it is a scientific sophisticated technique of exclusive freezing, thawing and chill drying technology that is being applied in cell preservation, blood transfusion and also in tissue and furthermore in organ transplantation. The topic review is majorly concerning freezing and thawing of the stem cells. A few illustrations of stem cells that is capable to undergo the cryopreservation technology includes the cartilage, bone marrow stem cells, osteo-articular, the umbilical cord, the ovaries in areas of whole organs development, semen, cord blood, oocytes and also the embryonic tissue cells. These stem cells are typically derived from fit donors who are initially cautiously screened for any contagious ailments. The samples are then further screened by the authority in charge in well operational laboratories. These stem cells are ultimately stored in well equipped cryopreservation facilities as they wait to be utilized [10]. The following analysis is based on the theme provided which is an essential analysis of the significance of cryopreservation technology and its medical purpose. It further focuses on the troubles faced by this technology in the field of stem cells study and also the chief objectives and principles of this technology. Moreover the chief aim of reviewing this technological application in the stem cells study is to be proficient enough to generate an outlook and a comprehensible conclusion based on the study. Ultimately, the review of this study is to focus on the key applications of this technology and its chief benefits to the healthcare sector and the research industries. Thus, to start with, a brief prologue on the topic is crucial for the purpose of familiarization with the technology [9]. For example the figure above shows the process involved in the stem cell research as obtained from stemcells.nih.gov/.../2006Chapter8.htm (figure 1) Clinical Importance There are exceptionally numerous reasons for the relevance of the cryopreservation technology in the research field at present. Firstly, the core method of the cryopreservation skill is vitrification procedure. This process requires the employment of the cryoprotectants before chilling of the cells. Moreover these cryoprotectants operate resembling antifreeze by lowering the chilling temperatures of the stem cells. Furthermore, these cryoprotectants perform by escalating the thickness and as a substitute of crystallizing the syrup liquid into formless ice, it vitrifies. The benefit of using this formula is that the change transpires over a tiny range of temperature which is scientifically phrased as the glass shift [13-14]. The chief clinical significance of this technology is in the use to conserve the vaccines. The technology is useful for the researchers and the health specialists in the preservation of the recently discovered vaccines. This is because the majority of the vaccines are developed by the health research scientists in the laboratory. Furthermore, these vaccines are commonly obtained from the living viruses and also the bacteria. For instance, some of the vaccines are made from live and attenuated cells which necessitate preservation to avert it from damaging [7]. Another clinical value of this technology is in its employment to prepare stem cells for utilization in the cure of a diversity of severe health conditions like the ataxia, the brain injury, spinal cord injury, and also the optic nerve damage, diabetic diseases, foot diseases, the lower limb ischemia, cerebral palsy diseases, multiple sclerosis, and the muscular dystrophy. This is because the medical researchers believe that stem cell therapy has an immense potential to transform the treatment of individual diseases. For example, the use of the bone marrow transplants is used for the healing of leukemia [2]. Moreover with the cryopreservation techniques, the medical researchers are currently optimistic that in the future, they will be proficient to treat additional diseases like cancer, and the Parkinson’s diseases. Further medical importance of this process is that stem cells are capable of self replicating itself and also develop synthetically through cell culture. This unique attributes of the stem cells has facilitated the scientists to relate this technique and apply it in the clinical business and research centers for their advantage. For instance, the clinical industry is using the extremely synthetic mature stem cells of diverse tissues for therapeutic treatments [2]. Ultimately, the medical significance of the cryopreservation skill is its exploitation in the study of the individual periodontal muscles. In this study, the utilization of this method demonstrates that the post – natal stem cells can easily be retrieved. The cryopreserved periodontal ligament stem cells are competent of maintaining their usual periodontal ligament stem cell distinctiveness, including the expression of the mesenchymal cell exterior molecules characteristics. Thus, this reveals how this technology is helpful in the growth of novel category of cells. Therefore, the cryopreservation skill is crucial in the application and utilization of frozen tissues and furthermore the stem cells for the creation of novel type of cells [12, 15]. Problems Encountered in Clinical Treatment or Biological Principle There are an array of difficulties that are encountered in the areas of clinical treatment and furthermore in the biological principles. Although this technology application is of immense significance in countless areas, it has its individual limitations which are encountered during its performance. This is because all developed technologies must comprise its individual drawbacks based on the chief purpose of the technological application and operation [11]. One of the chief problems encountered in the biological principle is the reality that cryopreservation technology is only applicable to the thin samples and tiny clumps of individual stem cells. This is because, lean stem cells are effortlessly cooled and it further requires an incredibly little quantity of toxic cryoprotectants for the procedure to be carried out. Therefore, the aims and objectives of the researchers to apply this technology to the big organs of humans like the liver and the heart with the aim of storage and transportation is still impractical. Subsequently, there is the drawback that the technological application can not be utilized in all areas of health therapies. This is because the stem cells developed and stored using this technology is not all useful in other medical treatment fields. For instance, the stem cells preserved by this system can not be used in the management of diseases like cancer. This eventually becomes a limitation to the researchers and also to the medical specialists [3] [6]. Another risk of this technology is the chances of harm that can arise during the freezing phase. This is majorly owing to the solution effects on the stem cells whereby when it is in exceedingly elevated concentration on the cells it will eventually lead to cells damage. Also the extracellular ice development on the cells can effortlessly cause mechanical damage to the cell membrane due to crushing of the stem cells. Furthermore, dehydration process can furthermore lead to cellular harm. This is because the water will migrate resulting into an extracellular ice development on the cells. Finally, the concept of the cells biological principle of being capable to self replicate can be of a shortcoming to this procedure. This is because the stem cells can end up self dividing uncontrollably leading to creation of huge masses of growth cells. These cells are exceedingly dangerous to humans and animals because they can effortlessly grow into cancerous cells. The stem cells may over-self proliferate to give rise to a tumor cell when they are administered into the human body or animals and other targeted organisms [8, 16]. Additional, there are immense setbacks facing this technology which comprises the cost of cure. This is because this technique has become the normal means of care and treatment for an extensive range of diseases. Although it is acknowledged by the society as an innovative method of eradicating health complications and diseases, it is unfortunate for those who are not capable to afford the charge of this sort of treatment thus restricting them to access such treatment. Evidently, this will ultimately not be proficient enough to solve the key intention of the innovation of this technique. Therefore for this to be skill to be valuable, compulsory etiquettes must be set in position to facilitate easier accessibility to this technology by all patients at a reasonable charge. Additionally, the cryopreservation studies must be performed alongside with the in virto culture studies so as to decrease the generally overheads and expenses incurred during the process. This will facilitate the research organizations and the health institutions to utilize less overhead in developing this skill. This will eventually lead to a reduced rate of health expenses incurred by the patients. Ultimately, all the groups will end up saving plenty of cash and subsequently the procedure being fee effective to all parties. Consequently, this practice will guarantee that plenty of time is saved during the development and the confirmation process of this technology [5-6] Eventually, additional issue that limits the relevance of this technology to the stem cells is the post freeze course of the cells. This includes the procedures involved in the medical transplantation of the stem cells to the patient. This is because; more defects and complications may develop in the patient leading to additional complications. Therefore to evade these complications from developing, precise testing and freezing processes must be involved. [1][5]. Purpose of the cryopreservation technology for stem cell research The core purpose of the cryopreservation procedure is to preserve the stem cells for transportation purposes. This is the key plan of this technology because over the history the use of salt as a means of preservation had its individual limitations. The application of salt caused the stem cells to get dehydrated extremely easily and thus damaging it even before it is utilized. Therefore, this technology allows for easier transportation of the stem cells even to extremely remote destination. This is because it has a high assurance of extended term of preservation of the stem cells [6]. Additionally, the core significance of this technology on the stem cells is for their preservation for future utilization. Most stem cells are frequently developed by the health researcher for use in the future. Therefore, for an already entirely cultured stem cell to be stored well a cryopreservation technology is applied until when in demand. Consequently, this is because countless hospitals and also clinics will want these stem cells later on for the healing of their patients. Eventually, an extra intention is that the stem cells are only effectively researched on to present precise results when they are in their frozen condition. This means most study procedures are carried out successfully when the stem cells are well preserved to evade damage of the cells. A well preserved stem cell means an easier and quick method of research procedure will be applied to give an accurate result. This evidently makes work easier for the research scientists [4]. Means of Objective Assessment towards the Formulation of this Review The means of intention and evaluation towards the formulation of this analysis is very extensive. For instance, in order for this formulation to be practiced, there must be complete participation and training regarding this technology. Furthermore, for this technology to be further developed there must be diverse technical trainings and scientific guidelines to be exploited in this technology by the potential scientists. This will eventually lead to an extensive spread of this technology and its application leading to advancing of the technology in the stem cells research industries. More over, the means of objectives towards the formulation of this review is that this technology can be employed by the youthful women who have cancer to have healthy babies. This is done by using the oocytes or the ovarian cells and tissues as the stem cells by inserting them into the woman’s womb [1] [3]. This skill has besides given the researchers and the health scientists an opening to do extra research into the utilization of the cryopreservation technology for a variety of other stem cells. Therefore, researchers are competent to relate to this technology during their research practice and come up with encouraging results. Although this technology seems to be exceptionally complicated and somehow costly, the State and the research organizations must come jointly and further promote these techniques. This will eventually pilot to an extensive spread of this technology to new regions, consequently leading to an advanced medical improvement in technology [5]. Conclusion In conclusion, life sciences study currently is seen to be advancing exponentially. Every stride brings us to the awareness of an accurate medicine and preventive care and treatments designed specifically for every individual. Therefore, for this to be achieved, existing methods of storage and preservation must be expanded to accommodate the constantly expanding innovative thoughts in the field of scientific research and health care. The originality of the cryopreservation technology is a one giant stride towards the achievements of the future objectives in the research industry. Furthermore, the researchers must persistently research on improved systems of preservation of stem cells which have least drawback. Finally, based on the analysis, it shows that there is an enormous advancement of technologies in the field of medicine and research. This subsequently shows an encouraging and optimistic sign of an improved prospect in the medical research field. This is manifested through development of advanced technologies like the cryopreservation technology. This advancement further signifies a better outlook for the lives of individuals living with health conditions that entails application of this technology for their healing and survival. Therefore for this to be achieved, further training on applications of these and other complex technologies necessitate to be offered to the prospect medical researchers and scientists in this field [6]. Works cited 1. Adewumi O, Aflatoonian B, Ahrlund-Ritcher L et al, Characterization of human embryonic stem cell lines by the international stem cell initiative. Nat. Biotechnol. 2007. 25 (7): 803-816. Review. 2. Barrilleaux B, Phinney DG, Prockop DJ, O’Connor KC, Review: ex vivo engineering of living tissues with adult stem cells. Tissue. Eng. 2006. 12(11): 3007-3019. Review. 3. Coppi PBG, Anthony A, Isolation of amniotic stem cell lines with potential for therapy. Nature. 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