Int J Stem Cells.  2015 May;8(1):1-8. 10.15283/ijsc.2015.8.1.1.

Stem Cell Research in Pakistan; Past, Present and Future

Affiliations
  • 1National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan. aftabac@yahoo.com, president@nays.com.pk

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Stem cells have proved to have great therapeutic potential as stem cell treatment is replacing traditional ways of treatment in different disorders like cancer, aplastic anemia, stroke, heart disorders. The developed and developing countries are investing differently in this area of research so research output and clinical translation of research greatly vary among developed and developing countries. Present study was done to investigate the current status of stem cells research in Pakistan and ways to improve it.
RESULTS
Many advanced countries (USA, UK and Canada etc.) are investing heavily in stem cell research and treatment. Different developing countries like Iran, Turkey and India are also following the developed countries and investing a lot in stem cells research. Pakistan is also making efforts in establishing this field to get desired benefits but unfortunately the progress is at very low pace. If Government plays an active role along with private sector, stem cell research in Pakistan can be boosted up. The numbers of publications from Pakistan are very less compared to developed and neighboring countries and Pakistan also has very less number of institutes working in this area of research.
CONCLUSIONS
Stem cells research is at its initial stages in Pakistan and there is great need to bring Government, academia and industry together so they could make serious efforts to promote research in this very important field. This will help millions of patients suffering from incurable disorders and will also reduce economic loss.

Keyword

Stem cells; Publications; Stem cells institute; Pakistan

MeSH Terms

Academies and Institutes
Anemia, Aplastic
Canada
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
Heart
Humans
India
Iran
Pakistan*
Private Sector
Stem Cell Research*
Stem Cells
Stroke
Turkey

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Publications in cell biology. Comparative analysis of publications from selected countries in the area of cell biology (2012). The maximum documents were produced by USA followed by China and Germany and least by Pakistan.

  • Fig. 2 PubMed publications from Pakistan related to stem cells research from 1993 to 2013.

  • Fig. 3 Total numbers of publications in area of cell biology from Pakistan (2002 to 2012).


Reference

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