Dr. Joy Kong

I'm hoping that we've gone beyond that point quite a bit because when I first started in the field, now it's been nine years, people did ask me that all the time. The first few years, what is a stem cell? What are you talking about? What is it? But now the question usually is, oh my God, I heard stem cells are amazing, but I have this issue. Do you think stem cells can help me?

I'm hoping that we've gone beyond that point quite a bit because when I first started in the field, now it's been nine years, people did ask me that all the time. The first few years, what is a stem cell? What are you talking about? What is it? But now the question usually is, oh my God, I heard stem cells are amazing, but I have this issue. Do you think stem cells can help me?

So the conversation has definitely shifted. Nonetheless, it's still important to define what stem cells are because there's still even misconceptions about what they are. Some people even refer to PRP as stem cell therapy. Some people refer to things like amniotic fluid. There's almost no cells. But first of all, what is a stem cell?

So the conversation has definitely shifted. Nonetheless, it's still important to define what stem cells are because there's still even misconceptions about what they are. Some people even refer to PRP as stem cell therapy. Some people refer to things like amniotic fluid. There's almost no cells. But first of all, what is a stem cell?

Just think of you and me, how we started in this universe, this life, is by forming the first stem cell. And from that stem cell, we started to divide and specialize. Different cells are going to directions. We have this magical migration and formation of the human being, right?

Just think of you and me, how we started in this universe, this life, is by forming the first stem cell. And from that stem cell, we started to divide and specialize. Different cells are going to directions. We have this magical migration and formation of the human being, right?

So from that first cell, whatever that's in that blueprint in the DNA in that first cell, somehow it is capable of directing the forming of this miraculous being, this complex little universe that can walk and talk and think and interact with each other. So that type of intelligence is really what we're trying to tap into in stem cell therapy.

So from that first cell, whatever that's in that blueprint in the DNA in that first cell, somehow it is capable of directing the forming of this miraculous being, this complex little universe that can walk and talk and think and interact with each other. So that type of intelligence is really what we're trying to tap into in stem cell therapy.

So from that one cell, you can form other stem cells all the way until they become cells of a particular tissue. Let's say your heart, your heart has heart muscle cells, but before it becomes a heart muscle,

So from that one cell, you can form other stem cells all the way until they become cells of a particular tissue. Let's say your heart, your heart has heart muscle cells, but before it becomes a heart muscle,

cell it was a heart muscle stem cell so that is called the end tissue stem cell that's the the last step of a stem cell before it loses its stem cell status and become a working cell so the cell goes through puberty kind of exactly yeah i like that yeah so anywhere along the line the Those cells are a stem cell until you become a tissue-specific cell.

cell it was a heart muscle stem cell so that is called the end tissue stem cell that's the the last step of a stem cell before it loses its stem cell status and become a working cell so the cell goes through puberty kind of exactly yeah i like that yeah so anywhere along the line the Those cells are a stem cell until you become a tissue-specific cell.

So we can intercept as doctors anywhere before that, and we can put the cells in the body, and they have tremendous potentials. First of all, they secrete a lot of growth factors, and they send a lot of signals. So these exosomes are little packets that's one of the main ways that the stem cells are sending out signals.

So we can intercept as doctors anywhere before that, and we can put the cells in the body, and they have tremendous potentials. First of all, they secrete a lot of growth factors, and they send a lot of signals. So these exosomes are little packets that's one of the main ways that the stem cells are sending out signals.

So the cells are potent in triggering, um, uh, actions in neighboring cells in the system. And they also have the capabilities to divide usually asymmetrically because they would divide into one copy of itself and another copy that's more specialized. So now we've got a, you know, more capabilities, but less potential to become everything. So they, you get narrower, uh,

So the cells are potent in triggering, um, uh, actions in neighboring cells in the system. And they also have the capabilities to divide usually asymmetrically because they would divide into one copy of itself and another copy that's more specialized. So now we've got a, you know, more capabilities, but less potential to become everything. So they, you get narrower, uh,

And then you get deeper into your function. But really, stem cell is anywhere along the line. And there are different aspects or different categories depending on what you're trying to utilize. There's embryonic stem cells, which are very early cells. that we don't really use in this country for treatments because it's hard to control. They are a little wild.

And then you get deeper into your function. But really, stem cell is anywhere along the line. And there are different aspects or different categories depending on what you're trying to utilize. There's embryonic stem cells, which are very early cells. that we don't really use in this country for treatments because it's hard to control. They are a little wild.

They can become tissues of any kind and oftentimes can form tumor. So even though they can become anything, but there's a potential risk. And then there are cells and organ cells. Let's say you wanted to grow neurons and then you can grow a

They can become tissues of any kind and oftentimes can form tumor. So even though they can become anything, but there's a potential risk. And then there are cells and organ cells. Let's say you wanted to grow neurons and then you can grow a