Introduction

Introduction

Stem cells give us hope that many diseases will be curable in the future. In fact, thanks to them, we can imagine a future in which a heart damaged by a heart attack can be repaired, in which blindness caused by a corneal injury can be cured, or in which people with paralysis can walk again. These scenarios may seem like science fiction, but they are at the heart of cutting-edge research on stem cells.

Unlike most cells in the body, which are locked into a single identity, stem cells are different. They are nature's “master builders”: capable of both creating endless copies of themselves and transforming into many specialised cells - blood, nerves, skin or muscle. By studying and harnessing these extraordinary cells, doctors and scientists hope to discover powerful new ways to treat disease, repair tissue and perhaps even regenerate entire organs.

This teaching unit invites students to explore the world of stem cells using the three E's methodology:

• Explore: build a solid foundation of knowledge about stem cells and their role in medicine.
• Experiment: experience how stem cells work through interactive augmented reality (AR) simulations and real-life case studies.
• Enhance: deepen understanding by reflecting on advanced applications, ethical issues and the future of regenerative medicine.
  In addition, this methodology will be implemented with practical exercises on how to use Augmented Reality technology.

Upon completion, students will not only understand what stem cells are and how to use AR technology, but also how science is trying to use them to solve some of the biggest challenges in healthcare.

Every human body is made up of trillions of cells, each with a specific role: muscle cells contract, skin cells protect, and nerve cells transmit signals. Most of these cells are specialised: once they become a certain type of cell, they cannot change.

Stem cells are different

They are the master builders of the body. Their two unique abilities are:
Self-renewal: they can divide and create copies of themselves many times.

Differentiation: they can transform into many different types of specialised cells, depending on the body's needs.

There are several main types of stem cells:

• Embryonic stem cells (ESCs): These are found in early-stage embryos. They are pluripotent, meaning they can become any type of cell in the body: muscle, nerve, skin or blood. This makes them powerful, but also controversial, because harvesting them involves destroying the embryo.
• Adult stem cells: These are found in tissues such as bone marrow, skin, or fat. They are multipotent, meaning they can become only certain types of cells. For example, bone marrow stem cells can produce blood cells, but not brain cells.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS): a revolutionary discovery. In 2006, scientists Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi discovered how to take normal adult cells (such as skin cells) and “reprogram” them to act like embryonic stem cells. This means that scientists can now create pluripotent cells without embryos.

In simple terms, it is important to understand that stem cells are like blank Lego bricks. They can create copies of themselves or be moulded into many different pieces to build what the body needs.

Examples of stem cell applications

• Blood disorders: Bone marrow stem cell transplants are used worldwide to treat leukaemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anaemia (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
• Eye diseases: Corneal stem cell therapy has restored vision in patients with severe eye damage (NIH, 2022).
• Heart repair: Clinical trials are testing whether stem cells can regenerate damaged heart muscle after a heart attack.
• Neurodegenerative diseases: Researchers are exploring stem cell therapies for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, although these are still in the experimental stage.
• Regenerative medicine: In the future, scientists hope that stem cells can be used to grow new organs for transplantation.

Additional material

Additional material to use: 

• https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/cells/cellular-development/v/stem-cells
• https://gizmodo.com/grow-stem-cells-with-shrinky-dinks-and-a-pipette-367796