title: Understanding pluripotency--how embryonic stem cells keep their options open.
abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells have the capacity to proliferate indefinitely in culture while maintaining the ability to differentiate to form any of the cells of the body. This unique combination of functions suggests that these cells could provide a potentially unlimited source of differentiated cells for the treatment of disease and aging. Understanding the molecular processes that underpin these functions in ES cells will allow us to harness their potential and develop strategies that control their differentiation. Combination of controlled differentiation with ground-breaking technologies for the reversal of somatic cells to an ES cell-like state promise the generation of patient-derived pluripotent cell lines for the treatment of disease in the future.
authors: School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
authors: B V
authors: BV
authors: Johnson
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Shindo
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Rathjen
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Rathjen
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Keough
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors