title: Of stem cells and germ cells.
abstract: Stem cells have an intrinsic capacity to self-renew and can differentiate to at least one specialized cell type. Different types of stem cells exist that can be cultured in vitro. The identity of the stem cells is marked by their origin and differentiation potential. Germ cells have similarities with pluripotent stem cells but are of a special order: They do not self-renew and are already differentiated, but they have the capacity to form a complete new organism after fertilization. This review focuses on pluripotent stem cells and discusses possibilities of generating pluripotent stem cells from germ cell precursors and possibilities of generating germ cells from stem cells. As it accompanies a plenary lecture at the 15th annual ESDAR Conference 2011, the overview is focused on stem cells from farm animal species and on results from my own research group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. b.a.j.roelen@uu.nl
authors.forename: B A J
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Roelen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*