Adult Stem Cell Response to Burn Injury

This study is designed to determine the response of adult stems cells, also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to tissue injury resulting from thermal burns. The study will consist of a one time collection of a patient's blood, about one teaspoon, on the third day following the initial burn. MSCs in the blood will then be quantitated and identified using according to unique proteins found on their cell surface using flow cytometry. The results of flow cytometry analysis will then be compared to the patients characteristics (age, sex, race, etc.), their past medical history (hx of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.) and to the patient outcome (length of hospital stay, mortality, etc.).