Glossary
Embryonic stem cells
Pluripotent stem cells Stem cells that can undergo self-renewal and differentiation to become any cell type found in the body. The two major types used in research are embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells Stem cells that can undergo self-renewal and differentiation to become any cell type found in the body. The two major types used in research are embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. that give rise to every cell type in the adult body. They are derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst An embryo in its very early stage, usually 5 to 6 days old, that has not implanted or attached to a uterus. It is made up of a small group of inner cells, which will develop into the embryo, and an outer layer of cells, which will develop into the placenta and amniotic membranes. blastocyst An embryo in its very early stage, usually 5 to 6 days old, that has not implanted or attached to a uterus. It is made up of a small group of inner cells, which will develop into the embryo, and an outer layer of cells, which will develop into the placenta and amniotic membranes..
Human embryonic stem cells, or hESCs, enable scientists to study early human developmental processes that would otherwise be inaccessible, gain critical insights into diseases and develop new treatment strategies that could one day transform into life-saving therapies.
Researchers investigate the mechanisms underlying the differentiation The process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features. differentiation The process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features. of hESCs into distinct cell types with the aim of replicating this process in a lab dish. Our investigators are pursuing methods to cultivate specific cell types that can be used in cell therapies for a range of conditions including heart failure, neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophies and spinal cord injuries.
An additional focus of hESC research is understanding the mechanisms behind these cells' self-renewal When stem cells self-renew, they divide to make identical copies of themselves. self-renewal When stem cells self-renew, they divide to make identical copies of themselves.. This research is leading yielding insights into how cell fate specification The crucial process by which undifferentiated cells receive molecular signals and genetic cues that guide them towards developing into specific cell types with distinct functions. This process is essential for the formation of various tissues and organs during embryonic development and plays a role in tissue regeneration in adults. cell fate specification The crucial process by which undifferentiated cells receive molecular signals and genetic cues that guide them towards developing into specific cell types with distinct functions. This process is essential for the formation of various tissues and organs during embryonic development and plays a role in tissue regeneration in adults. is regulated during healthy embryonic and post-natal development, how it becomes dysregulated during aging and even in the development of cancer.
Sources of human embryonic stem cells used in research
All of the human embryonic stem cells currently used in research come from cell lines that have been approved for research and registered with the National Institutes of Health.
The original hESCs used to establish these lines come from embryos that are donated from consenting individuals or couples who have unused embryos after in vitro fertilization, or IVF, procedures. The embryonic stem cells are isolated from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, a stage in early human embryonic development that occurs within the first four to six days after fertilization. Once hESCs are isolated, the cells may be kept alive and multiplied under specific laboratory conditions.
Visit the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's page on stem cell research to learn more about this process.
Stem Cell Bank
Our center's Stem Cell Bank facilitates culturing, storage and distribution of high quality human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines to UCLA investigators who have obtained human pluripotent stem cell research oversight committee approval to conduct this research. Learn more about this and our other shared resources here.