Embryonic Stem Cells


 * Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the developing blastocyst stage embryos five to eight days after fertilization
 * Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent
 * Can differentiate into each of the more than 200 differentiated cell types when given sufficient and necessary stimulation.

Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

 * Differentaition toward a specific cell type can be achieved by
 * Exposure of ESCs to selected growth factors
 * Co-culture of ESCs with cell types capable of inducing ESC differentiation
 * Undifferentiated ESCs if injected directly into the body will differentiate into many different types of cells, and cause a teratoma

Potential Applications

 * Differentiate into specific cell types and use to engineer tissues
 * Differentiate ESCs into cardiomyocytes that can be used for heart tissue engineering
 * Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
 * PD is caused by a progressive degeneration and loss of dopamine-producing neruons, which leads to tremor, rigidity, and hypokinesia (abnormally decreased mobility)