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Lineage Commitment

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the process whereby stem cells:

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.

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...

iPS Cell Differentiation

iPS Cell Differentiation

The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

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...

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: April 14, 2021

Stem cell lineage commitment by electrical fields and the potential application in drug discovery.

Hanwei Cui¹, Liling Tang

¹Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.

Current Drug Metabolism

|November 3, 2012

Summary

Electrical field stimulation shows promise for controlling stem cell differentiation in drug discovery. This method enhances osteogenic commitment and pre-commits cells to cardiomyocyte and neuron lineages, though molecular mechanisms require further study.

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Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices

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Published on: April 14, 2021

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Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Stem Cell Biology
Drug Discovery

Background:

Stem cell differentiation protocols are crucial for efficient drug discovery.
Physical stimulation, particularly electrical field stimulation, is an emerging method for controlling stem cell lineage commitment.
Understanding these mechanisms is key to advancing regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical research.

Purpose of the Study:

To review existing literature on electrical field stimulation for stem cell differentiation.
To explore the potential of electrical field stimulation in enhancing specific cell lineage commitments relevant to drug discovery.
To highlight the need for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying electrical field-induced differentiation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies investigating electrical field stimulation and stem cell differentiation.
Analysis of studies combining electrical fields with soluble induction factors.
Examination of studies using electrical field stimulation alone for lineage commitment.

Main Results:

Electrical field stimulation, especially with soluble factors, synergistically enhances osteogenic commitment.
Electrical field stimulation alone effectively pre-commits stem cells towards cardiomyocyte and neuron lineages.
The precise molecular regulatory mechanisms of electrical field-induced differentiation remain largely unclear.

Conclusions:

Electrical field stimulation is a potent method for directing stem cell differentiation.
Its application in pre-committing cells to cardiomyocyte and neuron lineages holds significant potential for drug discovery.
Further investigation into molecular pathways is necessary to optimize and fully leverage this technology.