they are processed by arranging them in a systematic manner. Data analysis is done
by descriptive argumentative analysis to observe the possibility of 3D organ printing
for disease modeling as a new drug-testing technique. After data analysis, the authors
then underwent a synthesis by relating the research problem, aim, and discussion.
Finally, a conclusion is made with suggestions as a form of statement.
III.
Results
Stem Cell
Stem cells are cells that have outstanding potential to develop into other types of
cells with much more specific functions. They are present in a wide variety of tissues,
may it be during early life or growth, and naturally serves to repair tissues. Generally,
stem cells have two properties that distinguish them from other cells: renewal and
differentiation. Initially undifferentiated cells, stem cells can renew themselves
through cell division when they are inactive after a long time. When active, these
cells can differentiate to other specific cells, forming new tissue, under certain
physiological conditions. (National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 2015)
Overall, stem cells differentiate into other cells by means of epigenetic
mechanisms. Stem cells have varying degrees of differentiation potential and thus are
classified based on these degrees. Cells which can differentiate to all embryonic and
extra-embryonic cells are said to be totipotent, while those that differentiate to only
embryonic cells are said to be pluripotent. Some cells may differentiate into multiple
types of cells but will not differentiate into cells with no relation to its tissue of origin;
these are said to be multipotent cells. Examples of these type of cells are
hematopoetic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. There are also stem cells which
only differentiate into only a specific type of cell, such as the spermatogonium stem
cell; these are unipotent cells. (De Los Angeles, Ferrari, Xi, Fujiwara, Benvenisty,
Deng and Daley, 2015)
Out of these stem cells, pluripotent and multipotent cells are the types of stem
cells that are commonly used for research and treatment. Hematopoetic stem cells
from the bone marrow are widely used for transplants for diseases such as leukemia,
while mesenchymal stem cells have wide applications for replicating bone tissue,
adipose tissue, cartilage, tendons, muscle, or even regenerating certain tissues such as