Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

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...
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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

60 Years of the 3Rs symposium: Lessons learned and the road ahead.

ALTEX·2024
Same author

In vitro tests to evaluate embryotoxicity and irritation of Chinese herbal medicine (Pentaherbs formulation) for atopic dermatitis.

Journal of ethnopharmacology·2023
Same author

The Current Status and Work of Three Rs Centres and Platforms in Europe.

Alternatives to laboratory animals : ATLA·2022
Same author

Pluripotent stem cell assays: Modalities and applications for predictive developmental toxicity.

Current research in toxicology·2022
Same author

The Rise of Three Rs Centres and Platforms in Europe.

Alternatives to laboratory animals : ATLA·2022
Same author

Open letter: Selection of a new Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provides an opportunity for the EU to lead in the field of chemicals management and implementation of innovative science.

ALTEX·2021
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 Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
17:28

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

Published on: June 17, 2015

The validated embryonic stem cell test to predict embryotoxicity in vitro.

Andrea E M Seiler1, Horst Spielmann

  • 1Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Center for Alternative Methods to Animal Experiments (ZEBET), Berlin, Germany. andrea.seiler@bfr.bund.de

Nature Protocols
|July 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary

The Embryonic Stem Cell Test (EST) assesses chemical toxicity to developing embryos in vitro. This validated method uses mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to predict embryotoxic potential efficiently.

More Related Videos

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
05:45

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: October 10, 2025

Modified Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell based Assay for Quantifying Cardiogenic Induction Efficiency
08:08

Modified Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell based Assay for Quantifying Cardiogenic Induction Efficiency

Published on: April 22, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
17:28

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

Published on: June 17, 2015

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
05:45

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: October 10, 2025

Modified Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell based Assay for Quantifying Cardiogenic Induction Efficiency
08:08

Modified Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell based Assay for Quantifying Cardiogenic Induction Efficiency

Published on: April 22, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • The Embryonic Stem Cell Test (EST) is an in vitro method for assessing chemical embryotoxicity.
  • It models key mechanisms like cytotoxicity and differentiation, considering sensitivity differences between embryonic and adult cells.
  • The EST utilizes permanent cell lines, avoiding the need for primary embryonic cells or tissues from pregnant animals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM)-validated EST protocol.
  • To present both a morphologically assessed method and a molecular-based FACS-EST method.
  • To enable in vitro prediction of a compound's embryotoxic potential.

Main Methods:

  • Morphological assessment of cardiomyocyte differentiation inhibition.
  • Cytotoxicity assessment on stem cells and 3T3 fibroblasts.
  • Molecular-based FACS-EST using predictive protein markers for heart development.

Main Results:

  • The ECVAM-validated EST accurately models fundamental embryotoxicity mechanisms.
  • Morphological EST provides results in 10 days; FACS-EST provides results in 7 days.
  • Both methods assess inhibition of differentiation into beating cardiomyocytes and cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • The described EST protocols offer efficient in vitro assessment of embryotoxic potential.
  • These methods are valuable alternatives to traditional animal testing for developmental toxicity.
  • The FACS-EST provides a faster, molecularly-based approach for predicting chemical effects on embryonic development.