What are Stemcells?
Stem cells are capable of forming cells of any organ in the developing embryo and hence are termed plastic. Stem cells can be derived from the bone marrow as well as the umbilical cord of the newborn. It is possible to trans-differentiate these cells into specific cells in-vitro. This enables the physician to use these cells to help cure a number of diseases. Also, stem cells help in organ repair after damage by chemotherapy or disease.

What are Embryonic Stemcells or Umbilical cord Stemcells?
Embryonic stem cells are derived from the developing foetus. These stem cells are plastic and have shown great promise in stem cell-based therapies. The ethical issues involved around embryonic stem cells are enormous and are a major deterrent in using these cells for therapy. Umbilical cord derived stem cells are present in the cord of a newborn and are large reservoirs of plastic stem cells. These cells are easily available and are part of the baby. The potential of using these cells to help cure a variety of diseases is enormous.

What is Cord Blood?
Cord blood is the residual blood left in the umbilical cord after childbirth. This blood provides nutrition and respiration during the gestation of the baby. Since the placental blood islands are the origin of Haematopoietic stem cells, cord blood contains stem cells. It was discovered that the stem cells present in the cord blood were comparable to stem cells from the bone marrow. Since, the bone marrow was being used for transplantation to treat diseases like leukemia and thalassaemia, the cord blood was investigated to find out whether it too could be used for transplantation. The clinical trials clearly proved that the stem cells from cord blood were as good as or even better than the bone marrow derived stem cells.

How is cord blood collected and cryo-preserved?
Collection of cord blood and cryo-preservation of stem cells is possible only at the time of the baby's birth. The procedure to collect the cord blood is standardized and does not harm the child or the mother. The stem cells can be harvested and cryo-preserved in liquid nitrogen. The stored stem cells can be revived and used whenever needed.

Who can use the cryo-preserved stem cells?
The stored stem cells should be used by the child from whom the cord blood was collected; since the tissue typing (HLA) is identical. However, research has shown that the cord blood stem cells are very primitive and do not express HLA phenotype, which is crucial in rejection. Therefore, close family members can also use it, if needed, without serious adverse effects.

What does Cryo Stemcell do?
Cryo Stemcell is, both a service oriented and a research-based company, started by a few like-minded academicians and physicians for stem cell banking. Banking means storage and cryo-preservation of umbilical cord stem cells according to CGMP (current good manufacturing practices) standards.
We are also involved in peripheral blood mobilized stem cell banking. We will be responsible for handling the cells at the time of birth and the actual processing, storage and transportation of the sample to anywhere in the world.*