Stem Cells

stem cells

Stem cells refer to the category of cells within an organism that are able to self-renew as well as differentiate into more specific cell fates. There are 2 major classes of naturally occurring stem cells in vertebrate animals: embryonic and adult. Another category of stem cells are derrived from differentiated tissues that are then induced to become "stem cell-like;" these are referred to as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) but are made to take on a stem cell like character are Common terminology within the field refers to the "potency" of the stem cell.

references

Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Related Articles, Links Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors. Cell. 2006 Aug 25;126(4):663-76. Epub 2006 Aug 10. PMID: 16904174 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]