Under appropriate culture conditions, embryonic have demonstrated a remarkable ability to self-renew continuously, that is, to produce more cells like themselves that are multipotent. Human embryonic stem cells that have been propagated for more than two years also demonstrate a stable and normal complement of chromosomes. This is in contrast to the unstable and abnormal [...]
Adult Stem cells versus Embryonic Stem Cells
May 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Apart from the differences in sources human embryonic and adult stem cells each offer advantages and disadvantages when channeled for potential use for cell-based regenerative therapies. They differ in number and type differentiated cell types they can become. Differentiation Capacity While embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are [...]
What Are Embryonic Stem Cells?
March 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos. Specifically, embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro—in an in vitro fertilization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s [...]
What Are Stem Cells?
March 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Stem cells are special types of cells which have the characteristic ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division [ A kind of cell division in which two similar cells are produced from one cell] and differentiating into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Stem cells are present in most multi-cellular organisms. The two [...]