Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

07:29
Generation of Neural Stem Cells from Discarded Human Fetal Cortical Tissue
Published on: May 25, 2011
Fetal stem cell: from research to clinical use
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.
Summary
New stem cell sources offer hope for treating diseases by replacing damaged cells. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells are particularly promising for both blood and non-blood tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Background:
- Stem cells hold significant therapeutic potential for various diseases.
- Several stem cell types have been identified, including bone marrow, embryonic, and fetal stem cells.
- Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a notable source of stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of newly discovered stem cell sources.
- To discuss the applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
- To explore the capabilities of UCB stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in stem cell discovery.
- Analysis of the properties and potential applications of different stem cell types.
- Focus on the extraction and cryopreservation of UCB stem cells.
Main Results:
- UCB contains abundant hematopoietic stem cells for blood system reconstitution.
- UCB stem cells can be easily extracted and cryopreserved for banking.
- UCB stem cells demonstrate potential for differentiating into non-hematopoietic cells like bone, neural, and endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell research offers promising biological therapies for numerous diseases.
- UCB stem cells are a valuable resource for both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell therapies.
- The establishment of HLA-typed UCB stem cell banks facilitates therapeutic applications.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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 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...
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...
Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...

