WHAT ARE STEM CELLS? 

 

• Stem cells are multi potent cells and due to their multi-differentiation capability are widely considered to be the future of medical applications demanding various cell therapies for a number of incurable diseases and conditions.

• There are various types of stem cells:  embryonic stem cells, umbilical stem cells, and adult stem cells. 

 

Embryonic stem cells are controversial due to ethical considerations.  The window for harvesting umbilical stem cells is also limited to the time of delivery, rendering them an unreliable and, therefore, impractical source.  Adult stem cells are the least controversial and most widely available.  Adult stem cells include adipose derived stem cells, peripheral blood stem cells, and bone marrow stem cells.

 

With the market demand for stem cell procedures growing due to the demonstrated promise provided through current research, the need for harvesting a large amount of healthy adult stem cells is increasing.

 

 

 

WHY ADSC (Adipose Derived Stem Cells)?

 

• Adipose tissue is one of the richest sources of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). When compared to an equal volume of aspirated bone marrow, one gram of fat contains in excess of 500-2500 times more stem cells.  

• In 2001, Dr. Patricia Zuk first published a thesis explaining how stem cells from adipose tissue were successfully obtained and cultured by her research team. (Tissue Engineering. 7:212-228, 2001).

• Dissemination of Dr. Zuk's publication, along with ongoing clinical research, led scholars and doctors to recognize the signficance of adipose tissue.  Among many it is known as the best source of stem cells:  It is widely available, provides consistently large cell yields, and as Dr. Zuk demonstrated, easily harvested.