Hair loss or alopecia is a temporary or permanent loss of hair that mainly affects men but is also observed in women. Hear loss is associated with disorders that affect your scalp or the entire body such as illness, stress, iron deficiency, genetics, weight loss, aging, cancer treatment, and lifestyle. What Is the Biology of…
The growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) or bone morphogenetic protein 11 (BMP-11) is a protein that belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta family (TGF-b) that is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, wound healing, and the immune system [1]. GDF11 has been proposed as a rejuvenating factor as it was reported that it restores skeletal…
Following the fecundation of an egg by a sperm, the fertilized egg begins a series of cell divisions that leads to the formation of a mass of cells known as the blastula. This mass contains two types of cell masses, the trophoblast, and the inner cell mass. The trophoblast leads to the formation of the…
Adult stem cells or adult tissue-specific stem cells are non-embryonic stem cells that are found in the tissues and organs of adults. They have the specific characteristics of self-renewal and generate differentiated and specialized cells that contribute to tissue homeostasis and regeneration following injuries or diseases. They are found in several organs including the brain,…
Melanocytes are cells that specialize in producing melanin pigments, responsible for the color of the skin and hair. They are typically located in the basal layer of the epidermis and in hair follicles where they are originated from a population of stem cells, known as melanocyte stem cells. However, the coloration of hair and skin…
Mitochondria are cellular organelles that produce about 90% of the chemical energy (ATP) that is required for the survival of cells. This energy is produced through an enzymatic respiration cycle known as the citric acid cycle, or the Krebs cycle. These powerhouse structures possess their own DNA and transcriptional and translational machinery within the cells. They…
Stem cells are responsible for the generation of all tissues and organs within the body. When these cells become mutated at the gene level (DNA), they become cancerous and are named cancer stem cells [1]. These cancer cells are thought to provide resistance to chemotherapy and relapse in cancer patients. The mutations can affect embryonic…
Regenerative medicine is a therapeutic medical field that focuses on developing technologies that use stem cells to replace, engineer, or regenerate human or animal cells, tissues, or organs with the aim of restoring or establishing normal function. Stem cells have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into different types of cells that are found in…
