Stem Cells ...Stem cells have two important characteristics that distinguish them from other types of cells. First, stem cells are unspecialized cells that are capable of self-renewal. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, stem cells can differentiate into cells with special functions.
Scientists primarily work with two kinds of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells that each have different functions and characteristics. Embryonic stem cells are a type of pluripotent stem cell derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. They are primitive and undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become a wide variety of specialized cell types.
Since 1998, when embryonic stem cells were first isolated, research on stem cells has received much public attention, both because of its extraordinary potential and because of relevant legal, religious and ethical issues. In spite of the vast opportunities in this area, Pluristem has chosen not to work with this type of stem cells due to the surrounding ethical and controversial issues.
In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and brain, discrete populations of adult stem cells generate replacements for cells that are normally lost or damaged by injury or disease. Pluristem has decided to work with adult stem cells, focusing on the expansion of Pluripotent Hematopoietic Stem Cells.
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