Stem cells can multiply (self-renew) and differentiate into every cell within the human body, giving them enormous potential for use in regenerative medicine. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult humans, stem and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells.

Stem cell research has been going on for over 50 years because stem cells have a unique ability to divide and replicate repeatedly. In addition, their unspecialized nature allows them to become a wide variety of tissue types, which gives them enormous potential for use as living cell therapies. [Read more…]