What is Umbilical Cord?

The umbilical cord is the connecting cord from the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta which allows blood to carry oxygen and nutrition to the baby in the womb. After the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is cut and usually discarded with the placenta as medical waste until researchers became aware of its medical potential.

What are Umbilical Cord Stem Cells?

The umbilical cord lining contains a high concentration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Cord Lining Epithelial Stem Cells (CLEpSCs) which have shown immense potential in aiding the repair of injured tissues and organs, as well as for the treatment of various diseases. MSCs are the building blocks of structural tissues in our body such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fibrous tissues and fat. On the other hand, CLEpSCs form the soft tissues that connect, support, or surround certain structures and organs in the body such as the cornea, skin, and liver.

Scientists believe that the umbilical cord lining also contains other types of stem cells which may be useful, but have yet to be discovered.