The Science of Stem Cells
21 August 2025 - 20 mins
Podcast Series
Show Me the Science with Luke O'Neill
This week, Luke rolls up his sleeves to tackle a listener request from Danny and Caroline. Caroline’s living with osteoarthritis, so stem cells seemed like just the ticket for discussion.
We start with the basics: stem cells are the body’s precursors, the young all-rounders that can grow into brain neurons, cartilage-makers, or insulin-producing pancreatic cells. In theory, they can be coaxed into replacing damaged tissue—making them, as Luke puts it, a sort of “living drug.”
The story begins with leukemia treatment, where donor bone marrow can regrow an entire immune system, sometimes with cure rates of up to 90%. We also meet “bubble baby disease” (SCID), where stem cells can give a ch...
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