Caption

Umbilical cord blood for stem cell harvesting. Donated human placenta (left) and blood collected from it, from which the umbilical stem cells will be harvested. The stem cells, which are able to develop into any type of blood cell, can be used to treat a number of diseases, including cancers, genetic diseases and blood disorders. The placenta lines the uterus (womb) during pregnancy, providing the foetus with oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products. The umbilical cord attaches the placenta to the foetus. Blood stem cells will be harvested from the placenta and umbilical cord blood and cryogenically stored (frozen).