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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.

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Enrichment and Purging of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Detection of Cell Surface Antigens Using the Monoclonal Antibodies TG30 and GCTM-2

Enrichment and Purging of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Detection of Cell Surface Antigens Using the Monoclonal Antibodies TG30 and GCTM-2

Published on: December 6, 2013

Innovative approaches in the embryonic stem cell test (EST).

Peter T Theunissen¹, Aldert H Piersma

¹Laboratory for Health Protection Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)

|December 29, 2011

Summary

The embryonic stem cell test (EST) offers a promising animal-free method for assessing developmental toxicity. Enhancements using molecular endpoints and human stem cells are improving its predictive accuracy for safer chemical development.

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Enrichment and Purging of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Detection of Cell Surface Antigens Using the Monoclonal Antibodies TG30 and GCTM-2

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Area of Science:

Toxicology
Developmental Biology
In Vitro Assays

Background:

The embryonic stem cell test (EST) is a key in vitro assay for evaluating developmental toxicity.
It utilizes murine embryonic stem cells differentiating into cardiac mesoderm, alongside cytotoxicity tests.
While promising as an animal-free alternative, its predictive power requires optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evolution and improvements of the EST.
To explore innovative approaches for enhancing EST predictivity.
To expand the understanding of the EST's applicability domain.

Main Methods:

Review of the initial EST definition and its subsequent modifications.
Investigation of molecular endpoints, including omics technologies.
Incorporation of alternative differentiation models (neural, osteoblast) and human stem cells.

Main Results:

Proposed improvements focus on increasing the predictive accuracy of the EST.
Integration of omics technologies provides deeper mechanistic insights.
Use of human stem cells and diverse differentiation models broadens applicability.

Conclusions:

Enhancements to the EST, such as omics and human cell models, significantly increase its value.
These advancements improve the reliability of in vitro systems for predicting developmental toxicity.
The EST continues to evolve as a powerful tool for alternative toxicological assessment.