Biology & chemistry map   Finding guide to terms in these glossaries   Site Map
Related glossaries include Cell Biology, Molecular Medicine 

cell differentiation: Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function which takes place during the development of the embryo and leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. MeSH, 1966

Related terms: induced pluripotent stem cells, multipotent, pluripotent, stem cells, totipotent

cell research funding: In recognition of its overwhelming potential, there has been an increase in research funding across the world for cell research, including stem cell research. Apart from venture capitalists taking interest in this area, government funding agencies, foundations, and even the biopharmaceutical companies are working in partnerships with academic institutes, research centers, and other biopharmaceutical companies to fund cell-based research, in particular stem cell research, and company development. Survive & thrive: Funding and Partnerships for Cell & Tissue Based Company Development August 20, 2007 •  Boston, MA

Due to political fallout, financial entities have hesitated to commit to stem cell research. Despite this bleak atmosphere, there is active research and many companies are trying to turn the stem cell breakthroughs into a viable business. This pre-conference event will feature emerging focused on: Cell/Tissue Repositories (Collection & Processing, Repositories & Distribution Services). Cell/Tissue Products (Sample Preparation Media & Tools and Inventory Software) . Cell-Based or 3-D Tissue Model Screening. Cell-Based (stem) Regenerative Therapeutics. Five @ five Showcase: Emerging Technologies, Start-Up and Early Stage Companies August 20, 2007 • Boston, MA

cell therapies: There is no denying that cell therapy has the potential to be one of the most powerful therapeutic options available. Cell therapy can take several forms and serve many purposes including altering normal cell response, stimulating native signaling cascades, performing missing metabolic functions, restoring lost tissue, or changing the normal course of repair into true regeneration. Cell Therapies: The Path to Clinical Success and Commercialization August 23, 2007 • Boston, MA

cellular reprogramming: We work towards understanding the mechanisms of cellular reprogramming that governs the transformation of a somatic cell into a pluripotent one. We identify regulatory genes and gene products that govern the state of pluripotency. We use this knowledge to generate human isogenic pluripotent stem cells and to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, Depts of Animal Science & Physiology, Michigan State University http://www.crl.msu.edu/  

Google = about 21,800 Nov 12, 2007

cellular therapy: As novel cellular therapies move from laboratory findings to clinical practice, medical researchers and regulators face new issues and uncertainties involving long-term safety and efficacy. Currently, there are no effective drug therapies for many acquired and congenital diseases. Recent discoveries in cellular therapy research present new opportunities for cellular products to be used in disease areas with critical, unmet medical needs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cellular therapies to ensure that they are safe and effective, and that persons enrolled in clinical trials using cellular products are protected from undue risk. Cellular Therapy: Potential treatment for Heart Disease, CBER, FDA, 2004 http://www.fda.gov/cber/genetherapy/celltherapyheart.htm

Related terms: myoblasts, stem cells; Molecular Medicine gene therapy

chromatinomics: -Omes & -omics glossary

differentiation: The process by which cells become structurally and functionally specialized during embryonic development. Life Sciences

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly- differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably. CancerNet

Related terms: multipotent, pluripotent, stem cells, totipotent
Narrower term: cell differentiation- or is this equivalent?
Broader term: developmental biology

ES: See embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cells ES: Cultured cells derived from the pluripotent inner cell mass of blastocyst- stage embryos. NHLBI 

Broader term: stem cells  Related term: hematopoietic stem cells.

hematopoiesis: The development and formation of various types of blood cells. MeSH

hematopoietic stem cells: Progenitor cells from which all blood cells derive. MeSH, 1984

An unspecialized precursor cell that will develop into a mature blood cell. NHGRI

Related terms: embryonic stem cells, hematopoiesis, mesenchymal stem cells, multipotent, pluripotent, totipotent;
Broader term: stem cells

hES: See human embryonic stem cells.

human embryonic stem cells: Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem cells, National Academy of Sciences, 2005 http://books.nap.edu/catalog/11278.html

See also pluripotent stem cell research, human, stem cells

induced pluripotent stem cells: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_pluripotent_stem_cell 

mesenchymal: Refers to cells that develop into connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatic tissue. CancerNet

Part of the embryonic mesoderm.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells MSCs Cells that can develop into distinct mesenchymal tissue such as BONE; TENDONS; MUSCLES; ADIPOSE TISSUE; CARTILAGE; NERVE TISSUE; and BLOOD and BLOOD VESSELS . MeSH 2004

Related terms: mesenchymal, mesoderm, hematopoietic stem cells

mesoderm: The middle germ layer of the embryo. MeSH

multipotent stem cells: Specialized stem cells that are committed to give rise to cells that have a particular function; examples are MYOBLASTS; MYELOID PROGENITOR CELLS; and skin stem cells. (Stem Cells: A Primer [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2000 May [cited 2002 Apr 5]. MeSH 2003

Related terms: pluripotent stem cells, totipotent stem cells, unipotent stem cells
Broader term: stem cells

pluripotent stem cells: Cells that can give rise to most types of cells but not all types of cells necessary for fetal development. (Stem Cells: A Primer [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2000 May [cited 2002 Apr 5]. MeSH 2003

Cells able to develop into most specialized types of cells.

NIH Fact Sheet on Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Guidelines, NIH, 2001 http://stemcells.nih.gov/news/newsArchives/stemfactsheet.asp

Broader terms: totipotent stem cells, stem cells; Narrower terms: induced pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells

progenitor cells: See stem cells

quiescence, restriction endonucleases: Genetic manipulation & disruption glossary 

stem cell models: Drug development is a time and money consuming process. Stem Cell and 3D models that capture both the organization and multicellular complexity of the target provide the most powerful tool for screening the effects of therapeutic candidates. The development of functional screening models has: Reduced cost and time to identify new drug candidates. Driven more selective/ predictive screens for selection of compounds. Reduced animal testing. Yielded more predictive data. Improved efficiency. Decreased time to market. Stem cell and 3D Models for Therapeutic Screening: Engineering in Vitro to Emulate in Vivo August 22, 2007 • Boston, MA

stem cell sources: There are three classes of stem cells: totipotent, multipotent, and pluripotent, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  Due to their limitless therapeutic potential, stem cells continue to be of enormous public, scientific, and clinical interest.  Researchers are  discovering new sources of stem cells daily. However, the initial excitement generated by the identification of novel stem cell sources must give way to focused efforts on methods to manipulate their differentiation and self-renewal capabilities. The best thing is to have a variety of stem cell sources to provide the best stem cell for potential patient therapy. Stem cell sources: Targeting cell based Regenerative Therapies, Aug 21, 2007, Boston MA

stem cell transplantation: The transfer of STEM CELLS from one individual to another within the same species (TRANSPLANTATION, HOMOLOGOUS) or between species (XENOTRANSPLANTATION), or transfer within the same individual (TRANSPLANTATION, AUTOLOGOUS). The source and location of the stem cells determines their potency or pluripotency to differentiate into various cell types. MeSH 2003

stem cells: State-of-the-art assays and early warning biosensors of weaponized pathogens are an integral part of public safety preparedness. New assays will be introduced that are highly multiplexed, integrated and field deployable. For biodefense applications, these should require minimal sample prep, should be compact and be able to identify and analyze strains and show reliable results in minutes. Multi-use application is an essential feature to develop products that will also have utility in healthcare. It is imperative that priority be given to developing an infrastructure that includes a decision-making hierarchy in the event of a bioterrorism outbreak, since many states now have a system that is inadequate.  Stem Cell Sources: Targeting Cell Based Regenerative Therapies, Aug. 21, 2007, Boston MA

Stem Cell Research, Molecular Medicine Triconference, March 25-28, 2008, San Francisco CA

Relatively undifferentiated cells of the same lineage (family type) that retain the ability to divide and cycle throughout postnatal life to provide cells that can become specialized and take the place of those that die or are lost. Includes Fibroblasts, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Erythroid Progenitor Cells, Tumor Stem Cell MeSH, 1984

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell 

Google = about 37,900,000 July 31, 2007 

Related terms: Gene categories: pangenes Genetic Manipulation & Disruption glossary parthenotes. Narrower terms: embryonic stem cells, hematopopoietic stem cells, multipotent stem cells, totipotent stem cells, unipotent stem cells

stemness: An extensive genetic comparison of different types of stem cells and terminally differentiated cells has revealed that hundreds of genes are likely to be involved in shaping the characteristic properties of stem cells. The studies show that embryonic, neural and hematopoietic (blood-cell-forming) stem cells seem to share a common genetic program that may be important for "stemness." These initial gene-profiling studies provide basic information about the nature of stem cells that should aid long- term efforts to induce stem cells to differentiate into cells that can be used to replace tissue damaged by disease or trauma. Gene Profiling Reveals the Essence of "Stemness", Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Sept. 12, 2002 http://www.hhmi.org/news/melton3.html

totipotent stem cells: Specialized stem cells that are committed to give rise to cells that have a particular function; examples are MYOBLASTS; MYELOID PROGENITOR CELLS; and skin stem cells. (Stem Cells: A Primer [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2000 May [cited 2002 Apr 5]. MeSH 2003

Broader term: stem cells. Related terms: multipotent stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, unipotent stem cells

unipotent stem cells: Stem cells that self-renew as well as give rise to a single mature cell type; e.g., spermatogenic stem cells. International Society for Stem Cell Research, Glossary, 2002 http://tnt.tchlab.org/stemcells/glossary.htm

Broader term: stem cells. Related terms: multipotent stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, totipotent stem cells