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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Culture and Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: December 22, 2009
Issues in human embryonic stem cell biology
1Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada. kturksen@ohri.ca
Abstract:
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) derived from frozen unused blastocytes from in vitro fertilization clinics exhibit unlimited proliferative capacity, and are pluripotent. The ability to maintain hESCs cultures in an undifferentiated state in vitro and differentiate them along a given lineage in a controlled manner make these cells potentially invaluable in regenerative medicine. Recent developments in the generation of patient-specific hESCs as well as animal product-free culture systems are some of the latest developments in the field; however great challenges lie ahead before the therapeutic application of hESCs becomes a reality. This article addresses some of the successes and roadblocks concerning the hESCs field; including various political, ethical and scientific obstacles.
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