What are stem cells? Topics regarding definition
Submitted by Bob Liu on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 1:32pm.
Cell Biology
Stem cells are defined as rare cells that have the ability to undergo self-renewal and to generate various different cell types. However, these definitions are more easily philosophized than shown by exact science. What exactly is self-renewal? What are the conditions that favor self-renewal vs. differentiation? How can one demonstrate self-renewal experimentally. Regarding other aspect of stem cell can generate different cell types, how can one show that stem cells generate different cell types vs. just mixing of various cells types within a tissue?
These are just some of the topics that can be discussed on this forum.
Key stem cell papers
I think the questions you brought up here are very important. The problem I have is that most of the information I have about the definition of stem cells comes from the lay press and conversations with people who work in the field. I am curious to hear what people think are some key papers (both primary and reviews) in the stem cell field. What are some good papers for someone new to the stem cell field?