Stem Cell Research

Contemporary medical research has discovered the possibilities of growing human tissue from   stem cells. These are cells donated from adult embryo tissue that have the   capacity to reproduce itself and to produce replacement tissue and organs for   use by recipients. This relatively new technology holds potentials for the cure   of diseases like HIV-AIDS, heart diseases, diabetes, cancers, sickle cell   diseases and disease of the nervous system like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,   stroke and spinal cord injuries. Some of these diseases are pandemic while   others are more prevalent in our part of the world. Even those thought to be   more peculiar to the western world are beginning to show up in Africa in higher   numbers and Nigeria in particular due to changing lifestyle and diet.

An important component of stem cell research is harvesting and storage of stem cells of cord blood of the newborn baby. If stored, this may be used in future to grow required tissue for use by donor or other individuals. Presently, the issue of rejection, which is minimal in this case, limits the use of adult organ transplants. The technology for this can be acquired and utilized as part of the medium terms objectives for this project. This is also has the great potential of funds generation on its own that can make the entire project self sustaining. Presently, there is no cord blood bank/registry in any part of Africa. This aspect of stem cell research is completely free of ethical controversies. 

STEM CELL RESEARCH – A REVIEW

Stem cell research is a growing field with very wide potentialities and application both in the basic and applied clinical sciences. Since the work of Yoffey (1958) and his collaborators, considerable progress has been made identifying the human haematopoietic stem cell which had opened up the potentials and values of stem cell research. Our current attempt to join the international league of researchers in the application of the stem cell potential in solving some of our medical problems, in particular sickle cell disease, HIV-AIDS, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and many more.

AIMS

1. To culture human haematopoietic/cord stem cells.
2. To raise the culture to congregate potential cells that can be used as replacement transfusion therapies for patients suffering from sickle cell disease (and others as earlier mentioned).
3. To guide the stem cells to differentiate into other possible cell lines, which can be used to colonize and rehabilitate differentiated issues.
4. All investigations will begin with murine haematopoietic (bone marrow) stem cells.

METHODS

1. Histochemical methods will be used to identify the characteristics and properties of stem cells.
2. Cellular and tissue culture techniques will be used to generate newer and compatible stem cells.
3. Transfusion techniques will be used in transplantation processes.

Sickle cell anaemia is a scourge, most essentially among the Negroid population. It has been largely eliminated from the Caucasian population due to intensive scientific investigations and elaborate medical counselling, regrettably, our own population still suffer a great deal of emotional trauma, family destabilization and personal tragedies as a result of this lingering problem.

Here at Ilorin, we are determined to prosecute scientific investigations at the cellular and molecular levels to unravel some of the clues that have made sickle cell disease the monstrosity it has been to our fellow human beings.

WE INTEND TO PROCEED FROM

1. Confirmation of a developing sickle cell foetus in a carrier pregnant mother.
2. To examine the cord blood for evidence and confirmation of the sickle cell disease in the growing foetus.
3. To harvest normal haematopoietic stem cells from a normal compatible donor and investigate its haematological characteristics along cytochemical and immunological lines.
4. In an in vitro pilot study, ascertain and confirm cellular compatibility.