Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) are unique and powerful group of stem cells found in umbilical cord blood. They are very small in size, however have maximum regenerative potential and potentially have the ability to become any type of cell in the body.
Although research is still in early stages, the clinical studies are exciting and have already implicated VSELs in disorders such as Cardiovascular Disease, Retinal Disorders, and Cerebral Vascular Disease.
A newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood is a valuable source of VSELs. When the cord blood is stored as a whole, meaning it is not processed to remove any cells, the VSELs are saved together with the other types of stem cells found in umbilical cord blood.
VSELs are lost when the sample is stored as volume reduced though. A volume reduced sample stores only one type of stem cell, the Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC), VSELs and other types of stem cells are lost during centrifugation.
Importantly, when cord blood is saved in a private cord blood bank, the cord blood sample is available for use in the future for both the baby and other members of the family.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 14, 2013 and has been completely updated for comprehensiveness and accuracy.