Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

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.
Embryonic Stem Cells00:57

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...
Stem Cell Culture01:17

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Encapsulation of Human-Bone-Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Small Alginate Beads Using One-Step Emulsification by Internal Gelation: In Vitro, and In Vivo Evaluation in Degenerate Intervertebral Disc Model.

Pharmaceutics·2022
Same author

Uncovering the RNA-binding protein landscape in the pluripotency network of human embryonic stem cells.

Cell reports·2021
Same author

Selection for CD26<sup>-</sup> and CD49A<sup>+</sup> Cells From Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Islet-Like Clusters Improves Therapeutic Activity in Diabetic Mice.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2021
Same author

Derivation of Pericytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2021
Same author

Cardiac Fibroblast-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes as a Potential Therapeutic Mean for Heart Failure.

International journal of molecular sciences·2020
Same author

Safety and efficacy of human embryonic stem cell-derived astrocytes following intrathecal transplantation in SOD1<sup>G93A</sup> and NSG animal models.

Stem cell research & therapy·2018

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cells
09:04

Isolation and Culture of Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cells

Published on: November 11, 2018

Embryonic stem cells: isolation, characterization and culture.

Michal Amit1, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, and the Stem Cell Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
|June 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells crucial for regenerative medicine. This chapter details methods for their derivation, characterization, and maintenance in defined, xeno-free systems for clinical applications.

More Related Videos

Isolating Stem Cells from Soft Musculoskeletal Tissues
07:49

Isolating Stem Cells from Soft Musculoskeletal Tissues

Published on: July 5, 2010

Isolation of Early Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Yolk Sac and AGM
10:38

Isolation of Early Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Yolk Sac and AGM

Published on: June 27, 2008

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cells
09:04

Isolation and Culture of Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cells

Published on: November 11, 2018

Isolating Stem Cells from Soft Musculoskeletal Tissues
07:49

Isolating Stem Cells from Soft Musculoskeletal Tissues

Published on: July 5, 2010

Isolation of Early Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Yolk Sac and AGM
10:38

Isolation of Early Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Yolk Sac and AGM

Published on: June 27, 2008

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Regenerative medicine

Background:

  • Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells derived from the mammalian blastocyst.
  • Traditional culture methods utilize mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), posing risks for clinical applications.
  • Advancements are needed for reproducible, defined, and xeno-free hESC culture systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the characterization of hESCs.
  • To outline basic methods for hESC derivation.
  • To describe essential techniques for hESC maintenance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established hESC derivation protocols.
  • Description of characterization techniques (e.g., marker expression, pluripotency assays).
  • Analysis of culture systems, focusing on defined and xeno-free approaches.

Main Results:

  • Significant improvements in hESC culturing methods since 1998.
  • Development of defined, xeno-free culture systems is critical for clinical translation.
  • Established protocols for hESC derivation and maintenance exist.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized, xeno-free culture is essential for safe and effective clinical use of hESCs.
  • Understanding hESC characterization and culture methods is fundamental for stem cell research.
  • Continued refinement of hESC culture techniques will advance regenerative medicine.