Biology 101: Stem Cells Commercialization Assignment

This assignment explores the multifaceted world of stem cells, beginning with a foundational definition highlighting their potential for specialization and repair within the human body. It delves into the commercial aspects, showcasing companies like BlueRock Therapeutics and their role in creating functional cells for allogeneic cellular therapies. The assignment further examines embryonic stem cells, their application in regenerative medicine, and the use of Gibco media and reagents in research. It also touches upon the challenges associated with the use of human embryos, such as genetic errors. References to relevant research papers support the information presented, offering a comprehensive overview of stem cells, their applications, and the ongoing research in this field.

Running head: STEM CELLS
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Stem Cells
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Stem Cells
Researchers across the globe have come up with several definitions for stem cells.
However, the most appropriate description states that stem cell is a cell that has a distinctive
potential of developing into specialized cell types in the human body. These cells are very vital
since they can be used to replace damaged cells and tissues in the future (Ito and Suda 2014).
Stem cells have two properties in that they can keep dividing to produce new cells, and changes
to other cells that build up the body.
Stem cells can be commercialized in several ways. Some companies that are leading in
the production of stem cells usually sell them to research centers that contact clinical therapies
(Trounson et al. 2015). By selling them, these companies gain profit out of stem cells. One of
these companies is the BlueRock Therapeutics that is located in New York City. BlueRock
creates and directs the differentiation of stem cells in functional cells. These functional cells are
used in allogeneic cellular therapies in treating broad types of diseases (Philippidis 2019).
Moreover, BlueRock can model these cells to enable them to produce proteins, enzymes as well
as antibodies.
Embryonic stem cells are cells that are able to grow and are derived from inner mass cells
of the human embryo that are undifferentiated. Embryonic stem cells are applicable in revitalize
medicine. Moreover, the future, these cells may be used as a source of cells for transplantation
therapy (Chuang et al. 2015). Gibco media and reagents have been used in the research of
embryonic stem cells. Its reagents include StemPro accutase reagent, TryLE Express enzyme and
Trypsin-EDTA.The products that are recommended include human protein, stemFlex medium,
vitronectin, KnockOut DMEM and essential 8 medium among many others (Cezar 2014). Since

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it uses Gibco media, its growth factors include great compatibility, high purity and good
biological activity. The challenge with this product is that it uses human embryos that have
massive genetic errors thus making it inappropriate for research. This may challenge the success
of this product.

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References
Cezar, G. G. (2014). U.S. Patent No. 8,703,483. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
Chuang, J. H., Tung, L. C., & Lin, Y. (2015). Neural differentiation from embryonic stem cells
in vitro: An overview of the signaling pathways. World journal of stem cells, 7(2), 437.
Ito, K., & Suda, T. (2014). Metabolic requirements for the maintenance of self-renewing stem
cells. Nature reviews Molecular cell biology, 15(4), 243-256.
Philippidis, A. (2019). Top 10 Companies Leveraging Gene Editing in 2019: While biopharma
giants and VCs warm up to startups leading the field, Wall Street isn't as
enthusiastic. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, 39(10), 16-17.
Trounson, A., & McDonald, C. (2015). Stem cell therapies in clinical trials: progress and
challenges. Cell stem cell, 17(1), 11-22.