This paper will examine the article about stem cell applications in bone and tooth repair and regeneration. This is essentially a significant issue to explore because bones and teeth consider commonly fragile and non-regenerative or complicated to regenerate parts of the human body. Moreover, bones and teeth become thinner, weaker, and brittle with the years primarily. Interest in stem cells has increased significantly over the past 10-15 years. Stem cell usage is broadening every day, thanks to numerous studies and their positive results in practical medicine.
The article I chose to research, Stem Cells Applications in Bone and Tooth Repair and Regeneration (Abdel Meguid et al., 2017), is about the abilities and structure of stem cells. It provides examples of scientific research about the application of stem cells in the process of the regeneration of bones and teeth. Stem cells are able to generate any tissue throughout life because of the capability to self-regenerate. Stem cells were explored in many medical applications to fix and regenerate defective tissues or organs, e.g., bones, ligaments, and the heart. The goal of regenerative medicine is to recreate all the mechanisms and processes used by nature during the genesis of an organ. Tangentially, bone is a specialized type of dense tissue whose components are mineralized for strength and durability. The osteon is considered the building block of bone, and the major cell types are osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. The integrity and strength of the skeleton depend on these cells.
The process of bone remodeling takes place throughout a person’s life. In this case, scientists are engaged in the identification of cells, including osteoprogenitor and other stem cells, which performed successive changes in their structure and functionality to restore and regenerate colloidal tissue (Abdel Meguid et al., 2017). One of the most difficult defects to repair are those of the skull and facial bones, primarily because of the difficulty in finding suitable bone grafts for facial landmarks. Current methods of treating such defects with stem cells have been successful.
As for dental reproduction, the periodontal ligament is a unique set of stem cells, many of them multicomponent. Tissue regeneration mediated by periodontal stem cells represents a rather promising method of practical treatment of various periodontal diseases that involve cells. Such manipulations are of particular importance for the ability to create dental structures under laboratory conditions. These performances require a precise understanding of the synergies of molecular and cellular assimilations that are involved in the structuring of various dental tissues, dentin, and enamel.
Over the past few decades, discoveries in the field of stem cells have led to multiple successful applications of such knowledge in dentistry. Ideas and concepts for the regeneration of teeth, tissues, and whole structures are still being developed. According to the article (Abdel Meguid et al., 2017), dental regeneration using stem cell knowledge will have an impact on the treatment of dental caries and tooth loss. Regarding cell transplantation, the article highlights autologous transplantation as the safest at the moment. However, its use is not recommended for certain age groups. All investigated strategies for bone and dental regeneration with the help of stem cells in tissue regeneration will make an invaluable contribution to medical approaches.
During the course, we observed the stages of mitosis, the process of indirect division of somatic cells, as a result of which two daughter cells with the same set of chromosomes are formed from one diploid mother cell, which includes the metaphase, anaphase, and the telophase. Then we identified the process of the differentiation of stem cells, which changes the cell’s function, size, shape, and metabolic activity. In the course, there were also some examples of the cures available with embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells appear to be more restricted than embryonic cells and can turn into a particular type of tissue. This topic interested me the most; that is why I decided to choose the article about the possibilities of stem cells in medical research and experiments. It is also valuable that such expertise is currently supported in many countries. As we figured out from the course materials, federal funding is essential to keep up with scientists from other countries. Fortunately, President Obama signed the federal budget to be provided for stem cell researchers. That will prevent the stem cells experiment and research from moving to the public sector or even abroad.
Knowledge of the importance of stem cells in medicine is of direct relevance to every person’s life, and the body renews itself more slowly as we age. Cell therapy helps the regeneration (renewal) of cells and nourishes them with beneficial substances. In addition, stem cells are used to create prosthetic heart valves, vessels, and trachea. Cell therapy also solves the problems of the musculoskeletal system, restoring bone defects. Additionally, cell therapy is used in dentistry. Working with new biological technologies requires high-quality scientific equipment and experienced biologists. It means that each of us will have the opportunity to cure diseases and problems that are currently intractable in the future. People will obtain faster and more comfortable treatment of such issues as cavities, fractures, loss of teeth, and more. Such investigations are significant for everybody, and we should be thankful and full of interest according to such topics and research which improve our life and lifestyle environment.
Reference
Abdel Meguid, E., Ke, Y., Ji, J., & El-Hashash, A. H. K. (2017). Stem cells applications in bone and tooth repair and regeneration: New insights, tools, and hopes. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 233(3), 1825–1835. doi:10.1002/jcp.25940