Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

09:34
Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions
Published on: November 27, 2017
Improved embryonic stem cell technologies
1Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada. draper@mshri.on.ca
Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|January 6, 2007
Summary
Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are vital for studying gene function. New technologies allow precise genetic manipulation for advanced research in vivo and in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells are crucial for genetic research.
- Technological advancements have enhanced ES cell capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and recent progress in mouse ES cell technology.
- To highlight advancements in ES cell derivation and genetic manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Tetraploid aggregation for ES cell manipulation.
- Site-specific recombinases for targeted genetic modification.
- RNA interference (RNAi) for gene function studies.
Main Results:
- Sophisticated manipulation of the ES cell genome is now possible.
- Temporal and spatial control of gene expression is achievable.
- Complex gene function and interaction questions can be addressed.
Conclusions:
- Mouse ES cells are indispensable tools for genetic research.
- Recent technological progress has significantly advanced ES cell applications.
- ES cell-derived chimaeric animals are key for in vivo studies.
Related Concept Videos
Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

