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Embryonic Stem Cells

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...

Embryonic Stem Cells

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.

Stem Cell Culture

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...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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

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...

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Related Experiment Video

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Scalable 96-well Plate Based iPSC Culture and Production Using a Robotic Liquid Handling System

Scalable 96-well Plate Based iPSC Culture and Production Using a Robotic Liquid Handling System

Published on: May 14, 2015

Challenges to human embryonic stem cell patents.

Aurora Plomer¹, Kenneth S Taymor, Christopher Thomas Scott

¹Sheffield Institute of Biotechnological Law and Ethics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 1FL, UK.

|March 29, 2008

Summary

Patenting human embryonic stem (hES) cells faces complex legal and ethical challenges. Technical arguments may strengthen patent claims in the US, while moral issues create confusion in the EU.

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Scalable 96-well Plate Based iPSC Culture and Production Using a Robotic Liquid Handling System

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Published on: May 14, 2015

Culture and Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

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Published on: December 22, 2009

Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model

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Published on: February 17, 2019

Area of Science:

Stem cell research
Biotechnology law
Bioethics

Background:

The patenting of human embryonic stem (hES) cells presents unique legal and ethical dilemmas.
This commentary analyzes challenges to foundational patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

Discussion:

In the US, technical challenges to hES cell patents might paradoxically reinforce WARF's patent position.
Conversely, moral objections in the European Union lead to fragmented legal landscapes among member states.

Key Insights:

hES cell intellectual property is shaped by a complex interplay of moral, technical, and legal factors.
Jurisdictional differences significantly influence the patentability and accessibility of hES cell technologies.

Outlook:

Future developments in hES cell patent law will require navigating diverse ethical viewpoints and technical considerations.
International harmonization of intellectual property rights for stem cell research remains a significant challenge.