title: The new stem cell biology: something for everyone.
abstract: The ability of multipotential adult stem cells to cross lineage boundaries (transdifferentiate) is currently causing heated debate in the scientific press. The proponents see adult stem cells as an attractive alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine (the treatment of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, etc). However, opponents have questioned the very existence of the process, claiming that cell fusion is responsible for the phenomenon. This review sets out to provide a critical evaluation of the current literature in the adult stem cell field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK. sean.preston@cancer.org.uk
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Alison
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Direkze
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poulsom
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*