Semin Reprod Med 2000; 18(2): 219-224
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-12560
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Technology

Jeffrey M. Jones1 , James A. Thomson2
  • 1Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Wisconsin Medical School
  • 2Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

ABSTRACT

Undifferentiated human embryonic stem (ES) cells can be cultured indefinitely and yet maintain the potential to form almost every cell in the adult human body. Therefore ES cells provide a model for understanding the differentiation and function of human tissue, offer new strategies for drug discovery and testing, and have the potential to provide new transplantation therapies for the treatment of a wide variety of human diseases. In this article, we describe the origin and properties of human ES cells, distinguish ES cells from other pluripotent stem cell lines, and discuss their implications for basic research and human medicine.

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