Who discovered stem cells is a question that invites both historical and scientific exploration. While Robert Hooke is credited with first observing cells in the 17th century, the discovery of stem cells themselves is generally attributed to Drs. James Till and Ernest McCulloch in the 1960s.
For hundreds of years, scientists have understood that the human body is made up of trillions of microscopic structures called cells. These cells exist in more than 200 distinct types, each performing vital functions such as pumping blood, digesting food, transmitting nerve signals, and eliminating waste and toxins from the body. Stem cells are unique among these cells because they have the ability to develop into many different cell types, making them a cornerstone of modern regenerative medicine and biomedical research.
