Stem cells are special types of cells in our body with the potential to self-renew. The umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, menstrual blood, placental tissue, skin, and teeth are some of the sources of stem cells in our body. Given their effectiveness in healthcare, it becomes a prerequisite to preserve the functional abilities of the stem cells, and also prevent their contamination.
A stem cell bank operates as a well-established platform for careful collection, preparation, and storage of your baby’s cord blood in their most potent state for future clinical use. Like in several western countries, there has been a substantial increase in the establishment of the best stem cell banks in india.
What is the Need for Stem Cell Banking?
Most stem cells come from tissues like the umbilical cord blood during childbirth. Banking your baby’s cord blood hence comes with its own advantages. Cord blood banking can safeguard your child from serious ailments, like hemophilia, thalassemia, blood cancer, and 90 other ailments. Your baby’s stem cells could be donated to a family member who needs a life-saving stem cell transplant. Further, the well preserved stem cells can also be made immediately available for treatment, minimizing disease progression.
To necessitate this, standardized collection and preservation of stem cells in stem cell banks have become mainstream in several countries. A high-tech stem cell bank does not only provide a premise for clinical applications, but also enhances the spectrum of stem cell research.
How does a Stem Cell Bank Function?
Stem cell banks maintain standard operating protocols to screen, process, and preserve stem cells. Firstly, the cord blood is collected during childbirth. The stem cell bank of your choice will first screen the cord blood for any diseases and disorders before processing it for preservation. The cord blood containing your baby’s stem cells is preserved at a temperature that is several degrees below freezing point (below -196 ℃), until a retrieval is required. This preservation method is commonly known as cryopreservation.
Choosing from the Best Stem Cell Banks in India
The stem cell banks in India are categorized as private and public banks. In private banking, the ownership of the preserved stem cells is restricted only to the parents, siblings, and rarely, a relative of the donor (your baby). On the contrary, the public banks store the stem cells and enable access to public use.
Choose a desirable stem cell bank from the Top Stem Cell Banks In India, by taking a few important factors into consideration. It is of utmost importance that the bank showcase valid accreditations (like AABB, CAP, GMP, and ISO), enhanced storage technology (such as, cryopreservation,automated storage and retrieval systems), high retrieval rate, adequate sample storage capacity, cost-effectiveness, transparency, transplant assistance, and customer support. These factors can determine the efficiency and credibility of the bank, and play a fundamental role in ensuring a secure future health of your baby.
In conclusion…
Stem cell banking can be a crucial investment for the future health of your child. With improved preservation technologies and rapidly growing clinical applications of stem cells in India, opting for a reputable and accredited stem cell bank like the LifeCell stem cell bank can make a life-saving difference for your baby as well as your loved ones.
