Multipotent Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells are cells that can develop into a range of different cell types. These cells have the potential to self-renew and can be used to generate a wide variety of tissues. In recent years, multipotent stem cells have been identified and isolated from both embryonic and adult tissue. When isolated from embryonic tissues, multipotent stem cells are referred to as pluripotent stem cells, as they are capable of developing into almost any tissue type in the body. These cells have the potential to heal and repair diseased, damaged, or aged tissues, thus representing a major breakthrough in regenerative medicine. Pluripotent stem cells can be produced from the cells of the fetus or from embryonic tissue cultures in the laboratory, and are now being studied extensively for their potential to treat conditions such as diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and heart disease. In contrast, multipotent stem cells that are derived from adult tissue have a limited range of cell types that they can differentiate into. For instance, hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into myeloid or lymphoid cells, but cannot become heart cells or other types of cells. Metabolically, adult tissue cells tend to be more stable than their embryonic counterparts and are also less likely to create tumors. Thus, adult tissue derived stem cells are preferred for clinical application, although the multipotent nature of the cells still permits them to generate a large variety of cell types. Multipotent stem cells have the potential to be an invaluable tool for researchers and clinicians alike. They have the power to regenerate and repair tissues, to create therapies for genetic diseases, and to provide materials for high throughput drug discovery. Therefore, stem cell research continues to be one of the most exciting and promising areas of modern biology.