Introduction<br />In recent years, stem cells have become one of the most exciting topics in modern medicine, due to their unique ability to differentiate into different cell types, making them a great hope for treating incurable diseases and regenerating damaged tissue.<br />But what are stem cells? How do they work? And why are they of interest to scientists and doctors around the world?<br />What are stem cells?<br />Stem cells are unspecialized cells that possess two basic properties:<br />The ability to divide and self-renew.<br />The ability to differentiate into different types of specialized cells, such as blood, nerve, or heart cells.<br />Types of Stem Cells<br />There are several types, the most important of which are:<br />Embryonic Stem Cells<br />They are extracted from embryos several days old.<br />They can differentiate into all types of cells in the body.<br />They have a high capacity for division, but their use raises ethical controversy.<br />Adult Stem Cells<br />They are found in adult tissues (such as bone marrow). They transform into only specific types (e.g., blood cells, muscle cells).<br />They are already used in medicine (e.g., bone marrow transplants).<br />Induced Stem Cells (iPS Cells)<br />Regular cells that are "reprogrammed" to resemble embryonic stem cells.<br />They represent a revolution because they are produced from the patient's own cells.<br />How do stem cells work?<br />When the body is injured or cells are lost, stem cells:<br />Divide to produce more cells.<br />Differentiate into the desired cell type (e.g., nerve cells).<br />Regenerate or replace dead or damaged cells.<br />Promising Medical Applications<br />Cancer treatment: especially using bone marrow transplants.<br /><br />Heart disease: Repairing heart muscle after strokes.<br />Diabetes: Production of insulin-secreting pancreatic cells.<br />Paralyzation and neurological injuries: Regenerating nerve tissue.<br />Eye disease: Restoring vision by transplanting retinal cells.<br />Challenges and Limitations<br />Despite great hope, there are several challenges:<br />The risk of cells transforming into cancer. <br />Immune rejection issues when using donor cells.<br />Ethical considerations, especially with fetal cells.<br />The need for more reliable clinical trials.<br />Conclusion<br />Stem cells represent a new gateway to regenerative medicine and future treatments. With advances in research, we may find solutions to diseases that are currently incurable. However, the road ahead is long and requires a balance between science, ethics, and safety.<br /><br />Al _ Mustaqbal University, the first university in Iraq<br />Prepared by: Shahad Nawras Abbas<br /><br />