Not all stem cell research is research on pre-fetal stem cells. Stem cells exist in many places within your body and research on there mechanism give scientists and physiologists great insight into how our bodies function at a cellular level.
Remember your mom saying, you cant make new brain cells? She wasn't entirely correct. Stem cells in the olfactory bulb in the the nasal cavity are the only stem cells in the post-fetal body known to produce neurons. These neurons stretch from the external environment in the nasal cavity through the cribriform plate and connect directly to the central nervous system in the Thalamus. Producing new neurons in this area is essential to maintaining an acute sense of smell because the neurons exposed to the environment become worn and damaged.
Dr. Costanzo and his research team at VCU medical center are investigating the survival characteristics of these stem cells when transplanted into different regions of the brain.
This sort of research on stem cells can dramatically accelerate applications of modern technology in physiological systems and it would be irresponsible not to give it a chance.
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