History:

The history of stem cell research had a benign, embryonic beginning in the mid 1800's with the discovery that some cells could generate other cells. Now stem cell research is embroiled in a controversy over the use of human embryonic stem cells for research. In the early 1900's the first real stem cells were discovered when it was found that some cells generate blood cells.

The history of stem cell research includes work with both animal and human stem cells. Stem cells can be classified into three broad categories, based on their ability to differentiate. Totipotent stem cells are found only in early embryos. Each cell can form a complete organism (e.g., identical twins). Pluripotent stem cells exist in the undifferentiated inner cell mass of the blastocyst and can form any of the over 200 different cell types found in the body. Multipotent stem cells are derived from fetal tissue, cord blood, and adult stem cells. Although their ability to differentiate is more limited than pluripotent stem cells, they already have a track record of success in cell-based therapies.

A prominent application of stem cell research has been bone marrow transplants using adult stem cells. In the early 1900's physicians administered bone marrow by mouth to patients with anemia and leukemia. Although such therapy was unsuccessful, laboratory experiments eventually demonstrated that mice with defective marrow could be restored to health with infusions into the blood stream of marrow taken from other mice. This caused physicians to speculate whether it was feasible to transplant bone marrow from one human to another (allogeneic transplant).

In 1958, a critical medical discovery on the human immune system made new methods for Bone Marrow Transplantation and stem cell using and in many years later, Adult stem cells also have shown great promise in other areas. These cells have shown the potential to form many different kinds of cell types and tissues, including functional hepatocyte-like (liver) cells. Such cells might be useful in repairing organs ravaged by diseases.
With stem cell research developing in the world and also, our country, IRAN, it was necessary to have a source to organize research studies and improve the coordination of research and maintain and enhance the quality of research. For these reasons, the Iranian stem cell network was established in November 2005, organized by the Iran Health Ministry, Research and technology deputy.
Members of the Iranian stem cell network (ISCN) are universities and Research centers.
 The mission of ISCN is:
• To Develop and promote the quantity and quality of research in stem cell biology to be rapidly translated to deliver new treatments for disease.
• Attract, train and retain top stem cell researchers and entrepreneurs for Iran.
• Create a suitable substructure and promote quality and quantity research levels.