Life sciences · Reference
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can both renew themselves and develop into specialised cell types, making them central to development, tissue maintenance, and a major focus of biological research.
Self-renewal and differentiation
Stem cells are distinguished from other cells by two key properties. The first is self-renewal: a stem cell can divide to produce more stem cells, maintaining a supply over time. The second is differentiation: stem cells can develop into one or more specialised cell types, such as nerve, muscle, or blood cells. Together these properties make stem cells the source of new cells during development and the maintenance of tissues.
Types of stem cells
Stem cells are commonly grouped by origin and potential. Embryonic stem cells, derived from early embryos, can give rise to nearly all cell types of the body and are described as pluripotent.
Adult (or tissue-specific) stem cells reside in tissues and typically produce the cell types of that tissue. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are mature cells reprogrammed in the laboratory to a pluripotent, embryonic-like state — a method recognised with a Nobel Prize in 2012.
Why stem cells matter in research
Stem cells are invaluable for studying how cells specialise, how tissues develop, and how diseases arise at the cellular level. They allow researchers to grow specific cell types in the laboratory and to model biological processes that are otherwise difficult to observe. iPSCs in particular let researchers create patient-derived cells for study without using embryos.
Research framing and ethics
Stem-cell research raises ethical and regulatory considerations, particularly for embryonic stem cells, and is overseen by scientific and ethics bodies. This page describes the biology and research use of stem cells in neutral terms; it does not discuss or recommend any medical treatment and is not health advice.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: unspecialised cells that self-renew and differentiate
- Key abilities: self-renewal and differentiation
- Embryonic stem cells: pluripotent, from early embryos
- Adult stem cells: tissue-specific
- iPSCs: mature cells reprogrammed to pluripotency
- iPSC reprogramming: Nobel Prize in 2012
Common questions
FAQ
What are stem cells?+
Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can renew themselves by dividing and can also develop into specialised cell types. These abilities make them central to development and tissue maintenance and a key tool in biological research.
What are the main types of stem cells?+
The main types are embryonic stem cells (pluripotent, from early embryos), adult or tissue-specific stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are mature cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state.
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