Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Alternative Cultures for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Production, Maintenance, and Genetic Analysis
Published on: July 24, 2014
The decision on the "optimal" human pluripotent stem cell
Margit Rosner1, Katharina Schipany, Markus Hengstschläger
1Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Because of recent advances, the array of human pluripotent stem cells now contains embryonic stem cells, derived from "surplus" in vitro fertilization embryos or from cloned embryos; induced pluripotent stem cells; and amniotic fluid stem cells. Here, we compare these stem cell types regarding ethical and legal concerns, cultivation conditions, genomic stability, tumor developing potentials, and applicability for disease modeling and human therapy. This overview highlights that in the future appropriate methodological management must include a decision on the "optimal" stem cell to use before the specific application.
Related Concept Videos
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
Stem Cell Culture
Embryonic Stem Cells
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...

