Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2014, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (7): 684-687.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.131565

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A brief review of recent advances in stem cell biology

Jinhui Chen 1, Libing Zhou 2, Su-yue Pan 3   

  1. 1 Stark Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
    2 Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
    3 Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2014-04-10 Online:2014-04-15 Published:2014-04-15
  • Contact: Jinhui Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 W. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA, Chen204@iupui.edu.
  • Supported by:

    The study was supported by NIH/NINDS R01-NS043246, P30-NS045758, the International Spinal Research Trust (STR-100) and the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

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Abstract:

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types, essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive, offering immense hope of curing Alzheimer’s disease, repairing damaged spinal cords, treating kidney, liver and lung diseases and making damaged hearts whole. Until recently, scientists primarily worked with two  kinds of stem cells from animals and humans: embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells. Recent breakthrough make it possible to convert or “reprogram” specialized adult cells to assume a stem stem-like cells with different technologies. The review will briefly discuss the recent progresses in this area.

Key words: stem cell, adult stem cell, embryonic stem cell, somatic cell nuclear transfer, induced pluripotent stem cell, stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency