Words and phrases commonly used in stem cell research
General term for cell without self-renewal ability that contributes to tissue formation. In some cases it generates tissue stem cells.
Synonyms: precursor cellCell division resulting in two daughter cells with different properties. Observed in some but not all stem cells and can occur in other types of progenitor cell.
An early stage embryo of about 100 cells that has not yet implanted into the womb. The blastocysti is a sphere made up of an outer layer of cells, a fluid-filled cavity and cluster of cells inside called the inner cell mass.
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Precancerous cell that gives rise to a cancer stem celli. May be a mutated stem cell, or a progenitor cell that has acquired self-renewal capacity through mutation.
Self-renewing cell responsible for sustaining a cancer and for producing differentiated progeny that form the bulk of the cancer. Cancer stem cells identified in leukaemias and certain solid tumours are critical therapeutic targets.
Cell that can produce a new cancer upon transplantation. A key property of a cancer stem celli.
The growth of cells in a laboratory dish for experimental research. The cells are grown in a solution, or medium, that contains nutrients and growth factors. Different factors can be added to the culture medium to initiate changes in cell behaviour.
Reconstitution of tissue by functional incorporation of transplanted stem-cell progeny. Distinct from 'bystander' trophic, anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects of introduced cells.
Investigation of properties of single cells. Essential for formal demonstration of self-renewal and potencyi.
Engagement in a programme leading to differentiationi. For a stem celli, this means it no longer retains the ability to self-renewi.
One of the two or more cells formed in the division of a single cell.
The process by which cells become specialized to perform particular tasks.
Pluripotenti stem-cell lines derived from early embryos before formation of the tissue germ layers.
Synonyms: embryonic stem cellsThe reproductive cells in multicellular organisms.
The hypothesis of selective retention of parental DNA strands during asymmetric self-renewal. Potential mechanism to protect stem cells from the mutations associated with replication.
A type of pluripotenti stem celli derived from a non-pluripotent cell, typically an adult somatic celli, by manipulating expression of certain genes.
Synonyms: induced pluripotency, induced pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, iPS cellsTerm used to describe cells with a common ancestry, that is developing from the same type of identifiable immature cell.
Lifelong renewal of tissue by transplanted cells. The definitive test for haematopoietic, epidermal and spermatogonial stem cells.
Able form multiple mature cell types that constitute an entire tissue or tissues. Example: haematopoietic (blood) stem cells.
Cellular micro-environment providing the support and stimuli necessary to sustain self-renewal
Able to form two or more mature cell types within a tissue. For example, neural stem cells that can create a subset of neurons in the brain are oligopotenti.
Unproven notion that tissue stem cells may be able to generate the cell types of another tissue under certain conditions.
Able to form all the body's cell lineages, including germ cellsi, and some or even all extraembryonic cell types. Example: embryonic stem cellsi.
The range of commitment options available to a cell.
Generic term for any dividing cell with the capacity to give rise to another cell type. Includes possible stem cells in which self-renewal has not yet been demonstrated.
Reconstruction of diseased or injured tissue by activation of resident cells or by cell transplantation.
Increase in potencyi. Occurs naturally in regenerative organisms (dedifferentiation). Induced experimentally in mammalian cells by nuclear transfer, cell fusion, genetic manipulation or in vitro culture.
The ability of a stem celli to divide and produce copies of itself for an indefinite period of time. This is the defining property of stem cells.
Synonyms: self-renewAny of the cells of a plant or animal other than germ cellsi
Synonyms: somatic cellsA cell that can continuously produce unaltered daughters and also has the ability to produce daughter cells that have different, more restricted properties.
Unproven notion that different stem cells are regulated by common genes and mechanisms.
Stem celli derived from, or resident in, a fetal or adult tissue, with potencyi limited to cells of that tissue. These cells sustain turnover and repair throughout life in some tissues.
Synonyms: adult stem cellSufficient to form entire organism. The zygotei is totipotenti; not demonstrated for any vertebrate stem celli.
Forms a single mature cell type. For example, spermatogonial stem cells are unipotenti, as they can only form sperm cells.
A single cell resulting from the fusion of male and female gametes (sperm and egg) at fertilization.