Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine that utilizes the body’s own ability to repair and regenerate itself. In other words, it is a treatment approach that harnesses the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
In human regenerative medicine, stem cells play a vital role. Under normal conditions, stem cells remain dormant, but when cellular damage or loss occurs, they are activated to repair and replace damaged cells.
Treatments based on these technologies generally fall into three categories: ES (embryonic stem) cells, iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells, and adult stem cells—all of which are regenerative therapies centered around stem cells.
Stem cells are a key component of regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapy is one of its most important applications. Essentially, stem cells are special cells with self-renewal and pluripotent capabilities. This means they can not only replicate themselves but also differentiate into various types of cells, thereby regenerating tissues and organs.
Stem cell therapy leverages these characteristics to repair damaged organs, blood vessels, and aging skin. It is also considered a promising solution for diseases and injuries that currently have no effective treatments.