Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
Published on: August 13, 2016
Regulation of asymmetric stem cell division: spindle orientation and the centrosome
1Life Sciences Institute, Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. yukikomy@umich.edu
Abstract:
Asymmetric stem cell division, as a means of maintaining adequate numbers of stem cells, has attracted widespread attention from researchers in the stem cell biology field. Yet, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern asymmetric stem cell division remain poorly understood. Stem cells are not the only cell population that divides asymmetrically, and fortunately, great progress has been made in the understanding of asymmetric cell division during development, providing insight into strategies that stem cells may employ to divide asymmetrically. This review will summarize the importance of stem cell function and the role of asymmetric division in controlling stem cell behavior.
Related Concept Videos
Centrioles and Centrosomes
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
Spindle Assembly
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Centrosome Duplication
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Centrosome Duplication
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...

