If youve been following skin care innovations for the last year or so, chances are youve heard about stem cells or have seen the ingredient pop up in various skin creams and serums. Stem cells are said to be able to make skin look refreshed and young, but many of us still have questions. What are they, exactly? Where do they come from? How do they work? Why should we try them? We took a closer look at the products and ingredients behind them to give you the scoop.

Stem cells, which occur in living organisms (including the human body), are different from other cells for two reasons. One, they are capable of renewing themselves, and two, under certain conditions, they can be induced to become cells that serve specific functions for the organism. Theyre important because of their regenerative propertiesstem cells offer a new way to treat certain diseases, and are often used in labs for screening new drugs and other biological research.

The idea behind stem cells in skin care is that by applying them topically, we might stimulate the growth of more stem cells. And because they can regenerate, theyll keep our skin looking youthful and healthy. Most stem cells used in beauty products are derived from plants. And while embryonic stem cells, taken from human embryos, are illegal, one brand we tried actually uses non-embryonic human cells that were extracted from consenting egg donors (yes, really. Read more below; for more general info on stem cells, read this guide from theNational Institutes of Health).

Short answer: we dont entirely know yet. Some research suggests that skin products containing stem cells can stimulate cell turnover and boost collagen, but there isnt a lot of conclusive evidence on the subject. Of course, that doesnt stop skin care companies from capitalizing on the buzzword. And we gotta say, the stem cell treatments we have tried certainly seem to be more effective and fast-acting than your average anti-agers.

Plant-derived stem cells typically are obtained from plants and fruits that can stay fresh for a long time or regenerate on their own, like Swiss apples, gotu kola, and grapes. Extracts of these stem cells are added to products to help neutralize free radicals and fight signs of aging and sun.

Apple: Indie Lee Swiss Apple Facial Serum

After scraping away bark from a particular tree species in Switzerland, scientists found that the tree was capable of regenerating itself. So to continue their research, they isolated the stem cells and tried them as a preservative on top of a tray full of apples and bananas. The team discovered that the stem cells actually prolonged the life of the fruits. Indie Lees Swiss Apple Facial Serum was created around the resilient power of these natural botanical-based stem cells. In addition to the extract from the rare Swiss apple stem cell, the serum contains hyaluronic acid and is highly concentratedyou need one drop for your entire face! Antioxidants and cell production-boosting benefits make this the perfect anti-aging product to add to your regimen.

Faspberry: Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Repair Cream

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What Can Stem Cells Really Do For Your Skin? | Beautylish

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into many different or specialized cell types. Stem cells can be thought of as primitive, "unspecialized" cells that are able to divide and become specialized cells of the body such as liver cells, muscle cells, blood cells, and other cells with specific functions. Stem cells are referred to as "undifferentiated" cells because they have not yet committed to a developmental path that will form a specific tissue or organ. The process of changing into a specific cell type is known as differentiation. In some areas of the body, stem cells divide regularly to renew and repair the existing tissue. The bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract are examples areas in which stem cells function to renew and repair tissue.

The best and most readily understood example of a stem cell in humans is that of the fertilized egg, or zygote. A zygote is a single cell that is formed by the union of a sperm and ovum. The sperm and the ovum each carry half of the genetic material required to form a new individual. Once that single cell or zygote starts dividing, it is known as an embryo. One cell becomes two, two become four, four become eight, eight to sixteen, and so on; doubling rapidly until it ultimately creates the entire sophisticated organism. That organism, a person, is an immensely complicated structure consisting of many, many, billions of cells with functions as diverse as those of your eyes, your heart, your immune system, the color of your skin, your brain, etc. All of the specialized cells that make up these body systems are descendants of the original zygote, a stem cell with the potential to ultimately develop into all kinds of body cells. The cells of a zygote are totipotent, meaning that they have the capacity to develop into any type of cell in the body.

The process by which stem cells commit to become differentiated, or specialized, cells is complex and involves the regulation of gene expression. Research is ongoing to further understand the molecular events and controls necessary for stem cells to become specialized cell types.

Stem Cells - Experience Question: Please describe your experience with stem cells.

Stem Cells - Umbilical Cord Question: Have you had your child's umbilical cord blood banked? Please share your experience.

Stem Cells - Available Therapies Question: Did you or someone you know have stem cell therapy? Please discuss your experience.

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Medical Editor:

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Stem Cells - Types, Uses, and Therapies - MedicineNet

Adult Stem Cells - Elaine Fuchs (Rockefeller/HHMI)
Adult stem cells regenerate a specific set of cells such as skin or blood. Fuchs focuses on skin stem cells and the success of using epidermal cells grown in vitro to treat burn patients.

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Stem cells - Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde: Hans Clevers at TEDxAmsterdam
Produced by: http://www.fellermedia.com Camera Crew: http://www.hoens.tv Stem cells are the foundation of all mammalian life, including that of man. Every ...

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Stem cells - Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde: Hans Clevers at TEDxAmsterdam - Video

Introduction: What are stem cells, and why are they important? What are the unique properties of all stem cells? What are embryonic stem cells? What are adult stem cells? What are the similarities and differences between embryonic and adult stem cells? What are induced pluripotent stem cells? What are the potential uses of human stem cells and the obstacles that must be overcome before these potential uses will be realized? Where can I get more information?

An adult stem cell is thought to be an undifferentiated cell, found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ that can renew itself and can differentiate to yield some or all of the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Scientists also use the term somatic stem cell instead of adult stem cell, where somatic refers to cells of the body (not the germ cells, sperm or eggs). Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined by their origin (cells from the preimplantation-stage embryo), the origin of adult stem cells in some mature tissues is still under investigation.

Research on adult stem cells has generated a great deal of excitement. Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more tissues than they once thought possible. This finding has led researchers and clinicians to ask whether adult stem cells could be used for transplants. In fact, adult hematopoietic, or blood-forming, stem cells from bone marrow have been used in transplants for 40 years. Scientists now have evidence that stem cells exist in the brain and the heart. If the differentiation of adult stem cells can be controlled in the laboratory, these cells may become the basis of transplantation-based therapies.

The history of research on adult stem cells began about 50 years ago. In the 1950s, researchers discovered that the bone marrow contains at least two kinds of stem cells. One population, called hematopoietic stem cells, forms all the types of blood cells in the body. A second population, called bone marrow stromal stem cells (also called mesenchymal stem cells, or skeletal stem cells by some), were discovered a few years later. These non-hematopoietic stem cells make up a small proportion of the stromal cell population in the bone marrow, and can generate bone, cartilage, fat, cells that support the formation of blood, and fibrous connective tissue.

In the 1960s, scientists who were studying rats discovered two regions of the brain that contained dividing cells that ultimately become nerve cells. Despite these reports, most scientists believed that the adult brain could not generate new nerve cells. It was not until the 1990s that scientists agreed that the adult brain does contain stem cells that are able to generate the brain's three major cell typesastrocytes and oligodendrocytes, which are non-neuronal cells, and neurons, or nerve cells.

Adult stem cells have been identified in many organs and tissues, including brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, teeth, heart, gut, liver, ovarian epithelium, and testis. They are thought to reside in a specific area of each tissue (called a "stem cell niche"). In many tissues, current evidence suggests that some types of stem cells are pericytes, cells that compose the outermost layer of small blood vessels. Stem cells may remain quiescent (non-dividing) for long periods of time until they are activated by a normal need for more cells to maintain tissues, or by disease or tissue injury.

Typically, there is a very small number of stem cells in each tissue, and once removed from the body, their capacity to divide is limited, making generation of large quantities of stem cells difficult. Scientists in many laboratories are trying to find better ways to grow large quantities of adult stem cells in cell culture and to manipulate them to generate specific cell types so they can be used to treat injury or disease. Some examples of potential treatments include regenerating bone using cells derived from bone marrow stroma, developing insulin-producing cells for type1 diabetes, and repairing damaged heart muscle following a heart attack with cardiac muscle cells.

Scientists often use one or more of the following methods to identify adult stem cells: (1) label the cells in a living tissue with molecular markers and then determine the specialized cell types they generate; (2) remove the cells from a living animal, label them in cell culture, and transplant them back into another animal to determine whether the cells replace (or "repopulate") their tissue of origin.

Importantly, it must be demonstrated that a single adult stem cell can generate a line of genetically identical cells that then gives rise to all the appropriate differentiated cell types of the tissue. To confirm experimentally that a putative adult stem cell is indeed a stem cell, scientists tend to show either that the cell can give rise to these genetically identical cells in culture, and/or that a purified population of these candidate stem cells can repopulate or reform the tissue after transplant into an animal.

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What are adult stem cells? [Stem Cell Information]

Research and Markets Logo

DUBLIN, November 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/l9klxc/autologous_stem) has announced the addition of the "Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market (2012-2017) (Neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, cancer & autoimmune, skin and infectious diseases)" report to their offering.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130307/600769 )

This research report titled Autologous Cell Therapy (2012-2017) provides details about various ACT based treatments and their application areas. Every health regulatory body will be expecting companies and universities to develop therapy treatments, which are safer, affordable, robust, rapid, easy to use, effective and deliverable to the end user. ACT treatments for particular application areas it is safe, experiencing robust growth, minimal steps of procedure to follow and rapid in deriving the results. As for now the treatments prices are not affordable, but by the intrusion of government bodies, it will definitely experience a immense market growth.

The report gives a detailed analysis about state of the art of autologous cell therapies. It includes the current advances and applications of the technology and trends in terms of market size and growth of autologous cellular therapies in medical treatments globally. It also consists of funding details of the innovative therapy and recent activities in terms of mergers & acquisitions of the company, revenue forecasting. It includes latest therapy details and products which are available for licensing and approvals from various regulatory bodies. Using drivers, restraints and challenges it is forecasted for a period of five years i.e. 2012-2017. Opportunity strategy evaluation has been included which gives information for investors.

Autologous Cell Therapy technology is changing the medicinal treatments by introducing various new therapies. Its scope is vast and promising for the future despite challenges.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Autologous Cell Therapy (Act)-Technology Landscape Analysis 4 Technology Investment Potential 5 Market Landscape Analysis 6 Act - Technology Adoption Potential And Development By Geography 7 Competitive Landscape 8 Patent Analysis 9 Technology Analysis And Road Mapping 10 Analyst Insights And Recommendations 11 Company Profiles 12 Appendix 13 Glossary

Companies Mentioned

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Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market ...

The skin

In humans and other mammals, the skin has three parts - the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis (or hypodermis). The epidermis forms the surface of the skin. It is made up of several layers of cells called keratinocytes. The dermis lies underneath the epidermis and contains skin appendages: hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands and sweat glands. The subcutis contains fat cells and some sweat glands.

The skin and its structure: The skin has three main layers - the epidermis, dermis and subcutis. The epidermis contains layers of cells called keratinocytes. BL = basal layer; SL = spinous layer; GL = granular layer; SC= stratum corneum. Image adapted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature Reviews Genetics 3, 199-209 (March 2002), Getting under the skin of epidermal morphogenesis, Elaine Fuchs & Srikala Raghavan; doi:10.1038/nrg758; Copyright 2002.

In everyday life your skin has to cope with a lot of wear and tear. For example, it is exposed to chemicals like soap and to physical stresses such as friction with your clothes or exposure to sunlight. The epidermis and skin appendages need to be renewed constantly to keep your skin in good condition. Whats more, if you cut or damage your skin, it has to be able to repair itself efficiently to keep doing its job protecting your body from the outside world.

Skin stem cells make all this possible. They are responsible for constant renewal (regeneration) of your skin, and for healing wounds. So far, scientists have identified several different types of skin stem cell:

Some studies have also suggested that another type of stem cell, known as mesenchymal stem cells, can be found in the dermis and hypodermis. This remains controversial amongst scientists and further studies are needed to determine whether these cells are truly mesenchymal stem cells and what their role is in the skin.

Epidermal stem cells are one of the few types of stem cell already used to treat patients. Thanks to a discovery made in 1970 by Professor Howard Green in the USA, epidermal stem cells can be taken from a patient, multiplied and used to grow sheets of epidermis in the lab. The new epidermis can then be transplanted back onto the patient as a skin graft. This technique is mainly used to save the lives of patients who have third degree burns over very large areas of their bodies. Only a few clinical centres are able to carry out the treatment successfully, and it is an expensive process. It is also not a perfect solution. Only the epidermis can be replaced with this method; the new skin has no hair follicles, sweat glands or sebaceous glands.

One of the current challenges for stem cell researchers is to understand how all the skin appendages are regenerated. This could lead to improved treatments for burn patients, or others with severe skin damage.

Researchers are also working to identify new ways to grow skin cells in the lab. Epidermal stem cells are currently cultivated on a layer of cells from rodents, called murine cells. These cell culture conditions have been proved safe, but it would be preferable to avoid using animal products when cultivating cells that will be transplanted into patients. So, researchers are searching for effective cell culture conditions that will not require the use of murine cells.

Scientists are also working to treat genetic diseases affecting the skin. Since skin stem cells can be cultivated in laboratories, researchers can genetically modify the cells, for example by inserting a missing gene. The correctly modified cells can be selected, grown and multiplied in the lab, then transplanted back onto the patient. Epidermolysis Bullosa is one example of a genetic skin disease that might benefit from this approach. Work is underway to test the technique.

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Skin stem cells: where do they live and what can they do? | Europe ...

Stem cells are the building blocks of your skin. They have a unique ability to replace damaged and diseased cells. As they divide, they can proliferate for long periods into millions of new skin cells.

As we age, our stem cells lose their potency. Your skins ability to repair itself just isnt what it used to be. The result can be fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. But non-embryonic stem cells the same stem cells active early in life are highly potent.

Emerge Skin Cares Anti-Aging Stem Cell Skin Care Serum tap into the potency of these stem cells to renew skin.

Scientists at Emerge Labs Stem Cell Skin Care discovered that human non-embryonic stem cell extracts can renew skin by replacing old cells with healthy new ones. These stem cell extracts stimulate your own skins abilities to repair itself. And Emerge anti-aging stem cell serums were born. Where Stem Cells in Anti Aging Products Come From The first types of human stem cells to be studied by researchers were embryonic stem cells, donated from in vitro fertilization labs. But because creating embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of a fertilized human embryo, many people have ethical concerns about the use of such cells.

The non-embryonic stem cells in Lifeline stem cell serums are derived from unfertilized human oocytes (eggs) which are donated to ISCO from in vitro fertilization labs and clinics. Emerge Anti Aging Stem Cell Skin Care is Based On Proven Scientific Research Emerge Skin Cares exclusive anti-aging products are a combination of several discoveries and unique high-technology, patent-pending formulations.

PhytoCellTecMalus Domestica the first plant stem cell activefor skin stem cell protection with proven efficacy PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica is a liposomal preparation of apple stem cells developed by a novel, patent pending plant cell culture technology.

PhytoCellTec a novel plant cell culture technology has been invented to cultivate dedifferentiated callus cells from a rare Swiss apple. These apple stem cells are rich in epigenetic factors and metabolites, assuring the longevity of skin cells. PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica has been shown to protect skin stem cells and delay the senescence of hair follicles.

PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica provides a revolutionary anti-aging performance for real rejuvenation.

Claims with PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica Protects longevity of skin stem cells Delays senescence of essential cells Combats chronological aging

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Stem Cell Skin Care - Science Meets Beauty

Do Years Of Experience Show On Your Face?

Get FACELIFT results with an anti-aging cream!

You want to look your best, and looking your best means doing what you can do to reduce the signs of aging. Many of the women I know would have a face lift in a second if they didn't have to have surgery to get it. When you consider the drawbacks to face lift surgery the expense, recovery time, threat of infection or scarring, and stories of botched operations just to name a few, it is hard for many people to justify the procedure for themselves.

Up until now your options were limited. You could have botox, but botox actually paralyzes the muscles, and comes with its own set of risk factors. Then you have to have it done over and over again, exposing yourself to more expense and risk each time. The only other viable option was to try one of the many many skin creams on the market that often promise fantastic results but fail to deliver.

Stem cells are cells that have the ability to grow into any kind of cell in the body, and they rely on special signals to tell them what cells they will ultimately become. If you know the stem cell language, then you could communicate to the cells.

In this way, you could have stem cells that become new young skin cells, rebuild collagen, and deliver a new younger looking skin.

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LUMINESCE Stem Cell Skin Care

05/15/13Portland, Ore.

The breakthrough marks the first time human stem cells have been produced via nuclear transfer and follows several unsuccessful attempts by research groups worldwide

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body. It is believed that stem cell therapies hold the promise of replacing cells damaged through injury or illness. Diseases or conditions that might be treated through stem cell therapy include Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and spinal cord injuries.

The research breakthrough, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., a senior scientist at ONPRC, follows previous success in transforming monkey skin cells into embryonic stem cells in 2007. This latest research will be published in the journal Cell online May 15 and in print June 6.

The technique used by Drs. Mitalipov, Paula Amato, M.D., and their colleagues in OHSUs Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, is a variation of a commonly used method called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT. It involves transplanting the nucleus of one cell, containing an individuals DNA, into an egg cell that has had its genetic material removed. The unfertilized egg cell then develops and eventually produces stem cells.

A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells. Furthermore, because these reprogrammed cells can be generated with nuclear genetic material from a patient, there is no concern of transplant rejection, explained Dr. Mitalipov. While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe this is a significant step forward in developing the cells that could be used in regenerative medicine.

Another noteworthy aspect of this research is that it does not involve the use of fertilized embryos, a topic that has been the source of a significant ethical debate.

The Mitalipov teams success in reprogramming human skin cells came through a series of studies in both human and monkey cells. Previous unsuccessful attempts by several labs showed that human egg cells appear to be more fragile than eggs from other species. Therefore, known reprogramming methods stalled before stem cells were produced.

To solve this problem, the OHSU group studied various alternative approaches first developed in monkey cells and then applied to human cells. Through moving findings between monkey cells and human cells, the researchers were able to develop a successful method.

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OHSU research team successfully converts human skin cells into ...

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells, that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. They are found in multicellular organisms. In mammals, there are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells, which are found in various tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cellsectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm (see induced pluripotent stem cells)but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.

There are three accessible sources of autologous adult stem cells in humans:

Stem cells can also be taken from umbilical cord blood just after birth. Of all stem cell types, autologous harvesting involves the least risk. By definition, autologous cells are obtained from one's own body, just as one may bank his or her own blood for elective surgical procedures.

Highly plastic adult stem cells are routinely used in medical therapies, for example in bone marrow transplantation. Stem cells can now be artificially grown and transformed (differentiated) into specialized cell types with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture. Embryonic cell lines and autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning have also been proposed as promising candidates for future therapies.[1] Research into stem cells grew out of findings by Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till at the University of Toronto in the 1960s.[2][3]

The classical definition of a stem cell requires that it possess two properties:

Two mechanisms exist to ensure that a stem cell population is maintained:

Potency specifies the differentiation potential (the potential to differentiate into different cell types) of the stem cell.[4]

The practical definition of a stem cell is the functional definitiona cell that has the potential to regenerate tissue over a lifetime. For example, the defining test for a bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) is the ability to transplant one cell and save an individual without HSCs. In this case, a stem cell must be able to produce new blood cells and immune cells over a long term, demonstrating potency. It should also be possible to isolate stem cells from the transplanted individual, which can themselves be transplanted into another individual without HSCs, demonstrating that the stem cell was able to self-renew.

Properties of stem cells can be illustrated in vitro, using methods such as clonogenic assays, in which single cells are assessed for their ability to differentiate and self-renew.[7][8] Stem cells can also be isolated by their possession of a distinctive set of cell surface markers. However, in vitro culture conditions can alter the behavior of cells, making it unclear whether the cells will behave in a similar manner in vivo. There is considerable debate as to whether some proposed adult cell populations are truly stem cells.

Embryonic stem (ES) cell lines are cultures of cells derived from the epiblast tissue of the inner cell mass (ICM) of a blastocyst or earlier morula stage embryos.[9] A blastocyst is an early stage embryoapproximately four to five days old in humans and consisting of 50150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent and give rise during development to all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. In other words, they can develop into each of the more than 200 cell types of the adult body when given sufficient and necessary stimulation for a specific cell type. They do not contribute to the extra-embryonic membranes or the placenta. The endoderm is composed of the entire gut tube and the lungs, the ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system and skin, and the mesoderm gives rise to muscle, bone, bloodin essence, everything else that connects the endoderm to the ectoderm.

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Stem cell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

By Jeanette Jacknin M.D.

Dr Jacknin will be speaking about Cosmaceuticals at the upcoming 17th World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine in Orlando, Florida, April 23-25, 2009.

Stem cells have recently become a huge buzzword in the skincare world. But what does this really mean? Skincare specialists are not using embryonic stem cells; it is impossible to incorporate live materials into a skincare product. Instead, companies are creating products with specialized peptides and enzymes or plant stem cells which, when applied topically on the surface, help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin's own stem cells. National Stem Cell was one of the few companies who actually incorporated into their skin care an enzyme secreted from human embryonic stem cells, but they are in the process of switching over to use non-embryonic stem cells from which to take the beneficial enzyme.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it can remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a skin cell. There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.

Embryonic stem cells are exogenous in that they are harvested from outside sources, namely, fertilized human eggs. Once harvested, these pluripotent stem cells are grown in cell cultures and manipulated to generate specific cell types so they can be used to treat injury or disease.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult or multipotent stem cells are endogenous. They are present within our bodies and serve to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. Adult stem cells are found in many organs and tissues, including the skin. In fact, human skin is the largest repository of adult stem cells in the body. Skin stem cells reside in the basal layer of the epidermis where they remain dormant until they are activated by tissue injury or disease. 1

There is controversy surrounding the use of stem cells, as some experts say that any product that claims to affect the growth of stem cells or the replication process is potentially dangerous, as it may lead to out-of-control replication or mutation. Others object to using embryonic stem cells from an ethical point of view. Some researchers believe that the use of stem cell technology for a topical, anti-aging cosmetic trivializes other, more important medical research in this field.

The skin stem cells are found near hair follicles and sweat glands and lie dormant until they "receive" signals from the body to begin the repair mode. In skincare, the use of topical products stimulates the stem cell to split into two types of cells: a new, similar stem cell and a "daughter" cell, which is able to create almost every kind of new cell in a specialized system. This means that the stem cell can receive the message to create proteins, carbohydrates and lipids to help repair fine lines, wrinkles and restore and maintain firmness and elasticity.1

First to the market in Britain in April 2007 and the U.S. was ReVive's Peau Magnifique, priced at a staggering 1,050. Manufacturers claim it uses an enzyme called telomerase to "convert resting adult stem cells to newly-minted skin cells' and 'effectively resets your skin's "ageing clock" by a minimum of five years'. The product claims long-term use 'will result in a generation of new skin cells, firmer skin with a 45 per cent reduction in wrinkles and increased long-term skin clarity'. Peau Magnifique is the latest in a line of products developed by Dr Gregory Bays Brown, a former plastic surgeon.

In the course of his research into healing burns victims, Dr Brown discovered a substance called Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that is released in the body when there is an injury, and, when applied to burns or wounds, dramatically accelerates the healing process. He believed the same molecule could be used to regenerate ageing skin and went on to develop ReVive, a skincare range based around it. 2

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Stem cells in skin care...What does it really mean? | Worldhealth ...

home stem cell research all about stem cells what are stem cells?

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. Commonly, stem cells come from two main sources:

Both types are generally characterized by their potency, or potential to differentiate into different cell types (such as skin, muscle, bone, etc.).

Adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body after embryonic development and are found inside of different types of tissue. These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and the liver. They remain in a quiescent or non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury.

Adult stem cells can divide or self-renew indefinitely, enabling them to generate a range of cell types from the originating organ or even regenerate the entire original organ. It is generally thought that adult stem cells are limited in their ability to differentiate based on their tissue of origin, but there is some evidence to suggest that they can differentiate to become other cell types.

Embryonic stem cells are derived from a four- or five-day-old human embryo that is in the blastocyst phase of development. The embryos are usually extras that have been created in IVF (in vitro fertilization) clinics where several eggs are fertilized in a test tube, but only one is implanted into a woman.

Sexual reproduction begins when a male's sperm fertilizes a female's ovum (egg) to form a single cell called a zygote. The single zygote cell then begins a series of divisions, forming 2, 4, 8, 16 cells, etc. After four to six days - before implantation in the uterus - this mass of cells is called a blastocyst. The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass (embryoblast) and an outer cell mass (trophoblast). The outer cell mass becomes part of the placenta, and the inner cell mass is the group of cells that will differentiate to become all the structures of an adult organism. This latter mass is the source of embryonic stem cells - totipotent cells (cells with total potential to develop into any cell in the body).

In a normal pregnancy, the blastocyst stage continues until implantation of the embryo in the uterus, at which point the embryo is referred to as a fetus. This usually occurs by the end of the 10th week of gestation after all major organs of the body have been created.

However, when extracting embryonic stem cells, the blastocyst stage signals when to isolate stem cells by placing the "inner cell mass" of the blastocyst into a culture dish containing a nutrient-rich broth. Lacking the necessary stimulation to differentiate, they begin to divide and replicate while maintaining their ability to become any cell type in the human body. Eventually, these undifferentiated cells can be stimulated to create specialized cells.

Stem cells are either extracted from adult tissue or from a dividing zygote in a culture dish. Once extracted, scientists place the cells in a controlled culture that prohibits them from further specializing or differentiating but usually allows them to divide and replicate. The process of growing large numbers of embryonic stem cells has been easier than growing large numbers of adult stem cells, but progress is being made for both cell types.

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What are Stem Cells? - Medical News Today

Oct. 10, 2013 Human skin must cope with UV radiation from the sun and other harmful environmental factors that fluctuate in a circadian manner. A study published by Cell Press on October 10th in the journal Cell Stem Cell has revealed that human skin stem cells deal with these cyclical threats by carrying out different functions depending on the time of day. By activating genes involved in UV protection during the day, these cells protect themselves against radiation-induced DNA damage. The findings could pave the way for new strategies to prevent premature aging and cancer in humans.

"Our study shows that human skin stem cells posses an internal clock that allows them to very accurately know the time of day and helps them know when it is best to perform the correct function," says study author Salvador Aznar Benitah an ICREA Research Professor who developed this project at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG, Barcelona), and who has recently moved his lab to the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona). "This is important because it seems that tissues need an accurate internal clock to remain healthy."

A variety of cells in our body have internal clocks that help them perform certain functions depending on the time of day, and skin cells as well as some stem cells exhibit circadian behaviors. Benitah and his collaborators previously found that animals lacking normal circadian rhythms in skin stem cells age prematurely, suggesting that these cyclical patterns can protect against cellular damage. But until now, it has not been clear how circadian rhythms affect the functions of human skin stem cells.

To address this question, Benitah teamed up with his collaborators Luis Serrano and Ben Lehner of the Centre for Genomic Regulation. They found that distinct sets of genes in human skin stem cells show peak activity at different times of day. Genes involved in UV protection become most active during the daytime to guard these cells while they proliferate -- that is, when they duplicate their DNA and are more susceptible to radiation-induced damage.

"We know that the clock is gradually disrupted in aged mice and humans, and we know that preventing stem cells from accurately knowing the time of the day reduces their regenerative capacity," Benitah says. "Our current efforts lie in trying to identify the causes underlying the disruption of the clock of human skin stem cells and hopefully find means to prevent or delay it."

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The above story is based on materials provided by Cell Press, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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Circadian rhythms in skin stem cells protect us against UV rays

Can New Bone Be Made From Skin Stem Cells?
Cartilage can be made from skin stem cells and now bone! In this video, Sharecare expert Michael Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer for Cleveland Clinic, exp...

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Skin stem cells hold promise for burn patients
Vincent Gabriel, MD Jeff Biernaskie, PhD Recipients of Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions Collaborative Research Innovation Opportunities program

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An all natural skincare serum based on stemcells science
Independent clinical trials show DRAMATIC results - 25% fewer wrinkles,30% more moisture and 10% more elasticity...in just 28 days! Our breakthrough serum revitalizes the skin at the cellular level, to restore and maintain the skin #39;s youthful vibrance. DermaStem is a mocha-hued fusion of natural oils that blends invisibly into the skin. This all-natural serum contains a velvety emulsion of the world #39;s most restorative ingredients. This revolutionary product works to reduce the signs of premature aging by supporting the work of skin stem cells, the natural renewal system of the skin. For order online or more information,please contact us at http://www.myonline.stemtechbiz.com or email to fusioncreations@gmail.com.From:Tony Lim Careen SeeViews:1 0ratingsTime:06:48More inHowto Style

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An all natural skincare serum based on stemcells science - Video

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Patent pending, PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica is a liposomal preparation of apple stem cells designed to protect skin stem cells. Known for minimal shriveling and extended longevity, the Uttwiler Spalauber apple is rich in proteins, phytonutrients, and long-living cells. PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica is a scientifically proven breakthrough that effectively combats skin aging.

"We were excited to find new, revolutionary stem cell technology," said Dr. Farid Mostamand, owner and founder of the Ageless Derma skincare line. "This extraordinary process is a leap forward. Our customers want non-surgical options to fight wrinkles and sagging skin and PhytoCellTec technology provides exactly that. This has produced remarkable results for eliminating wrinkles so we integrated it into our Ageless Derma anti-wrinkle cream."

Pioneered by Mibelle BioChemistry Group, the founding company hosts scientific studies to substantiate claims that PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica provides revolutionary skin rejuvenation. Honored with the BSB Innovation Award in 2008 for best ingredient, Mibelle BioChemistry Group developed PhytoCellTec technology to enable plant stem cells to grow in considerable numbers. In comprehensive studies the company was able to prove PhytoCellTecMalus Domestica, the dynamic ingredient derived from the apple stem cells, supports longevity and vitality of skin stem cells.

In a study of volunteers ranging in age from 37 to 64, 100% of the subjects showed significant decreases in wrinkle depth. The volunteers applied a concentration of 2% PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica twice daily for 28 days to "crow's feet," or wrinkles near the eyes, to diminish wrinkles.

PhytoCellTec enables the cultivation of stem cells by using the same repair methods plant cells use. The PhytoCellTec process selects a diminutive piece of plant material which is then damaged to result in callus formation. The formations are incubated and harvested in order to obtain stem cells.

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Ageless Derma Formulates Apple Stem Cells into Anti-Wrinkle Cream with PhytoCellTec Technology

The nuclei of brain stem cells in some Parkinson's patients become misshapen with age. The discovery opens up new ways to target the disease.

Nubby nucleus: Brain cells from a deceased Parkinsons patient have deformed nuclei (right) compared with normal brain cells from an individual of a similar age. Merce Marti and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte

Stem cells in the brains of some Parkinson's patients are increasingly damaged as they age, an effect that eventually diminishes their ability to replicate and differentiate into mature cell types. Researchers studied neural stem cells created from patients' own skin cells to identify the defects. The findings offer a new focus for therapeutics that target the cellular change.

The report, published today in Nature, takes advantage of the ability to model diseases in cell culture by turning patient's own cells first into so-called induced pluripotent stem cells and then into disease-relevant cell typesin this case, neural stem cells. The basis of these techniques was recognized with a Nobel Prize in medicine last week.

The authors studied cells taken from patients with a heritable form of Parkinson's that stems from mutations in a gene. After growing several generation of neural stem cells derived from patients with that mutation, they saw the cell nuclei start to develop abnormal shapes. Those abnormalities compromise the survival of the neural stem cells, says study coauthor Ignacio Sancho-Martinez of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California.

Today's study "brings to light a new avenue for trying to figure out the mechanism of Parkinson's," says Scott Noggle of the New York Stem Cell Foundation. It also provides a new set of therapeutic targets: "Drugs that target or modify the activity [of the gene] could be applicable to Parkinson's patients. This gives you a handle on what to start designing drug screens around."

The strange nuclei were also seen in patients who did not have a known genetic basis for Parkinson's disease. The authors suggest this indicates that dysfunctional neural stem cells could contribute to Parkinson's. While that conclusion is "highly speculative," says Ole Isacson, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School, the study demonstrates the "wealth of data and information that we now can gain from iPS cells."

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Parkinson's cells

London, October 20 (ANI): By reprogramming skin cells from Parkinson's patients with a known genetic mutation, researchers have identified the damage to neural stem cells as a powerful player in the disease.

The scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies found that a common mutation to a gene that produce the enzyme LRRK2, which is responsible for both familial and sporadic cases of Parkinson's disease, deforms the membrane surrounding the nucleus of a neural stem cell.

Damaging the nuclear architecture leads to destruction of these powerful cells, as well as their decreased ability to spawn functional neurons, such as the ones that respond to dopamine.

The researchers checked their laboratory findings with brain samples from Parkinson's disease patients and found the same nuclear envelope impairment.

"This discovery helps explain how Parkinson's disease, which has been traditionally associated with loss of neurons that produce dopamine and subsequent motor impairment, could lead to locomotor dysfunction and other common non-motor manifestations, such as depression and anxiety," Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, lead researcher of the study, said.

"Similarly, current clinical trials explore the possibility of neural stem cell transplantation to compensate for dopamine deficits. Our work provides the platform for similar trials by using patient-specific corrected cells. It identifies degeneration of the nucleus as a previously unknown player in Parkinson's," Belmonte said.

Although the researchers say that they don't yet know whether these nuclear aberrations cause Parkinson's disease or are a consequence of it, they say the discovery could offer clues about potential new therapeutic approaches.

For example, they were able to use targeted gene-editing technologies to correct the mutation in patient's nuclear stem cells. This genetic correction repaired the disorganization of the nuclear envelope, and improved overall survival and functioning of the neural stem cells.

They were also able to chemically inhibit damage to the nucleus, producing the same results seen with genetic correction.

"This opens the door for drug treatment of Parkinson's disease patients who have this genetic mutation," Belmonte said.

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Key player in Parkinson's disease triggered neuron loss pinpointed