Stem Cells From The Teeth: A New Discovery

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Scientist has found out recently that dental pulp taken from the wisdom teeth can become a source of therapeutic stem cells. This finding was informed to the public by Japanese researchers. This newly discovered cell is called mesenchymal stem cells. It is capable of developing body tissues such as bone, cartilage and fat.

What makes this cell different from other embryonic stem cells is. It can be created even in the absence of embryo. However this new cells cannot morph to whatever kind of cells in the body.

Oftentimes, the wisdom tooth is always taken for granted and once it was taken from the body they are always put into trash thinking that it has no use at all but with this discovery most people has realized how important is the wisdom teeth. In some countries wisdom teeth were extracted though minor surgery.

The discovery of embryonic stem cells has made controversy. Although the new found cell can be made into a regenerative medicine but you cannot take the cells without destroying the embryo. Since embryo is considered life, there are many sectors that oppose this idea.

It was in the year 2001 that US government issued a restriction on public funding to few embryonic stem cells lines hence the US scientists was interrupted of their work.

However due to the race in producing pluripotent cells that can develop to all types of cells in human body, scientist from Kyoto University Japan has informed the whole world that they have successfully inserted genes from the mice tails and convert them into embryonic stem cells.

Just last year (2007) another development was announced by researchers from Kyoto University and University of Wisconsin regarding the successful application to human cells using ferry four genes namely OCT4, SOX2, NANOG and LIN28.

These scientists further said that they used OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4 to program cells cultured from the center of a wisdom tooth to human stem cells. Out of 50,000 cells 10 stem cells matches which means the experiment is a great success.

Using stem cells from the wisdom teeth has advantage than the cells taken from bone marrow. These new found stem cells from wisdom tooth are easy to store since they can be preserved in the freezer for 3 years. It shows extensive activity compare to cells from bone marrow and it shows also TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase)

Researchers of this project are now accepting donation of wisdom tooth that they will store in the banks. This move is for the future benefits of the donor because they can access their own stem cells from the wisdom tooth they have stored in case they need this cell to treat their ailments someday.

Shinya Yamanaka also a researcher from Kyoto University, even he is not involve in this dental study yet issued a statement that he agreed that this newly found cells could help in the production of regenerative drugs that will cure dreaded diseases someday.

However the announcement of this discovery through the press seems to be backed by a peer –reviewed publication according to Yamanaka and he further quote

“I know venture companies do this to keep investors’ interest,” Yamanaka said. “It was surprising to me that government-backed scientists did this.”