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

Adult Stem Cells01:33

Adult Stem Cells

33.9K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
33.9K
Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

Embryonic Stem Cells

32.6K
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.
32.6K
Embryonic Stem Cells00:57

Embryonic Stem Cells

5.2K
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...
5.2K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

28.1K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.1K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

5.6K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
5.6K
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells01:18

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

4.5K
A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
4.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

"Pattern regulation in epimorphic fields", aka the polar coordinate model.

Developmental biology·2025
Same author

Ectopic expression of HNF4α in Het1A cells induces an invasive phenotype.

Differentiation; research in biological diversity·2023
Same author

Transformation of jaw muscle satellite cells to cardiomyocytes.

Differentiation; research in biological diversity·2016
Same author

Hnf4α is a key gene that can generate columnar metaplasia in oesophageal epithelium.

Differentiation; research in biological diversity·2016
Same author

Turning One Cell Type into Another.

Current topics in developmental biology·2016
Same author

Hepatocyte-ductal transdifferentiation is mediated by reciprocal repression of SOX9 and C/EBPα.

Cellular reprogramming·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Derivation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
22:06

Derivation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: February 25, 2007

14.0K

What is a stem cell?

Jonathan M W Slack1

  • 1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK.

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Developmental Biology
|May 16, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Stem cells lack unique markers; their behavior is influenced by their environment and intrinsic qualities. Stem cell function is a population property, not an individual cell trait, highlighting their role within multicellular systems.

Area of Science:

  • Adult Stem Cells
  • Tissue Renewal and Regeneration
  • Stem Cell Niches

Background:

  • Historical usage of stem cells in embryology and hematology.
  • Modern definition includes pluripotent and tissue-specific stem cells.
  • Exploration of stem cell properties and niches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Define and explore the modern consensus definition of stem cells.
  • Discuss methods for identifying stem cells.
  • Investigate stem cell behavior and division modes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical stem cell concepts.
  • Discussion of identification methods: cell surface markers, telomerase, label retention, transplantability.
  • Explanation of the CreER method for in vivo identification.
Keywords:
cell lineage labelinghematopoiesispluripotencystem cellstem cell markers

More Related Videos

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays
10:32

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Published on: October 4, 2016

8.8K
Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells HSCs
20:38

Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells HSCs

Published on: February 25, 2007

24.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Derivation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
22:06

Derivation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: February 25, 2007

14.0K
Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays
10:32

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Published on: October 4, 2016

8.8K
Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells HSCs
20:38

Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells HSCs

Published on: February 25, 2007

24.2K

Main Results:

  • Stem cells lack unique molecular markers.
  • Stem cell behavior is dependent on both intrinsic qualities and environmental factors.
  • Evidence supports stochastic cell division over obligate asymmetric division.

Conclusions:

  • Stem cell behavior is a population characteristic, not an individual cell property.
  • Stem cells function as integral components of multicellular systems.
  • Understanding stem cell niches is crucial for comprehending their behavior.