Stem Cell Tranplants

What Are Stem Cells

Stem cells are immature cells that live primarily in our bone marrow (sponge-like material in our bones). Medically, they are called hematopoietic stem cells, however they are commonly referred as stem cells.

The job of the stems cells is to divide and make new blood cells. Once these new blood cells mature, they leave the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. A small amount of stem cells may venture into our bloodstream, and these cells are called peripheral blood stem cells.

Stem cells are responsible for making:

• Red blood cells
  
  
• White blood cells
  
  
• Lymphocytes
  
  
• Platelets
  
  

The types of stem cells discussed here are not the same as ebryonic stem cells used in cloning.