Stem cells storage: Stem cells are one of the wonders of the human body. They have the potential of giving rise all the tissues, organs and systems of the organism. They have the ability to completely regenerate the bone marrow and the immune system. Also, they can divide indefinitely, they can differentiate their evolution and can turn into specialized cells such as heart, liver and even neurons.
Why store umbilical cord stem cells?
The blood present in the baby’s umbilical cord is rich in stem cells. By collecting and preserving cord blood at the time of delivery, you have the chance of getting stem cells immediately. This could be useful for your baby, or a member of your family in the future. It has the potential to cure serious diseases and even save a life.
What is the main use of stem cells?
Umbilical cord stem cells are another excellent option instead of bone marrow transplantation. Read How do you extract bone marrow stem cells?
Every time researchers find something new in the medical field, new doors are opened. For instance, diseases that were incurable return to the focus of analysis. New discoveries come in the near future, since experts are studying diseases such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and genetic diseases.
The collection procedure:
The collection of the stem cells occurs at the moment of delivery, once the gynaecologist cuts the umbilical cord. This is a painless, simple and risk-free procedure. Neither for the mother nor for the baby it does not modify in any way the routine of the delivery. We deliver a collection kit with all the sterile material necessary for the collection of umbilical cord blood. Processing requires a series of studies with specialized teams, which allow us in the Harley Street Hospital to extract the largest number of stem cells from the obtained sample.
Cryogenic storage
Finally, in cryogenic storage, the selected stem cells need to submit to a computerized temperature decrease, until the sample is deposited in a thermos with liquid nitrogen at -196º for as long as necessary.
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