›› 2009, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (9): 86-93.

• 遗传繁育 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mammalian Embryo Stem Cell Research Progress

DENG Shou-long1,3, PENG Tao4, LV Zi-li2, WANG An-jiang2,3, WANG Liang4, CAO Wen-guang1   

  1. (1.Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;2.Xinjiang Jinniu Biological Ltd, Urumqi 830026,China; 3.College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi 830052, China; 4.Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang Institute of Chemistry and Physics, Urumqi 830011, China)
  • Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:2009-09-20 Published:2009-09-20
  • Contact: CAO Wen-guang

Abstract: The term “stem cells” was first proposed by a Russian scientist at a congress in Berlin in 1908. Stem cells have the characteristics of self-renewal, and differentiation into any type of cells or tissues. Stem cells can be classified into embryo stem cells or adult stem cells or somatic stem cells, the later are undifferentiated cells (stem cells) found in the body after born. They multiply by cell division to replenish damaged cells or tissue in the body. Stem cells can also be categorized by their sources, for instance, embryonic stem cells from early embryos, hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow, and cancer stem cells, and more recently induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. From their sources and ability to self-renew and differentiate, to date, embryonic stem cells are still considered as the best or most popular stem cells. This review will highlight the progress and findings in stem cell research with a focus on embryo stem cells, their directed differentiation and the mechanisms of the induction.

Key words: stem cells; embryonic stem cell; directed differentiation

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