Stem Cell Research
Adult stem cell research has been an area of interest here at Loomis Plastic Surgery since 2005, exploring the potential use of a patient's own stem cells for tissue replacement and rejuvenation in plastic surgery. Beware of terms like, "stem cell facelift," as these are examples of using "buzz words" and extrapolation from the science to try to sell something. While the science is very exciting and promising, the truth can be stretched at times.
On-site Lab
In 2005, utilizing our on-site cell culture lab, we were able to isolate and culture cells from fat that would otherwise be discarded following liposuction. These cells have been shown by numerous researchers to contain stem cells which may one day be used to treat various medical conditions. In 2010, Dr. Loomis was appointed to the Empire State Stem Cell Board which manages a $600 million dollar trust fund for stem cell research in New York. The experience of isolating and culturing cells from fat in our lab has helped us refine our fat grafting techniques, which have many clinical applications in plastic surgery.
What is a stem cell?
A stem cell is like the stem of a tree, it can branch out, becoming different types of cells such as skin, nerve, fat or muscle. It is the ancestor of the specialized cells in our bodies. This ability to become other types of tissues makes them particularly attractive to us in plastic surgery who are always striving to restore what has been lost or damaged by age, disease or trauma.
Two Types
There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. Embryonic stem cells are controversial because whether obtained from in-vitro labs, "therapeutic" cloning, or any other source, they always involve the destruction of a living human embryo. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are obtained from the patients themselves or from other sources such as umbilical cord blood or placenta, and so cause no undue harm to any other human being.
Clinical Success Stories
Adult stem cells have already had some remarkable successes. Cells from bone marrow have been used to replace heart muscle after a heart attack; to replace bone loss in the skull, and others have been used to regain nerve function in a paraplegic. For a more thorough listing of the successful treatments that have been achieved with adult stem cells visit stemcellresearch.org.
The Future
With ongoing research, we hope to be able to address many situations in plastic surgery where we are currently limited in our treatment options. One exciting area involves Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells which are cells taken from a patient's skin and then treated to revert back to a stem cell. These cells can then be used in the lab to test different drugs for efficacy prior to using them on the patient. They may also one day be used to restore lost or damaged tissues in the patient from whom they were derived.